GONZALO FERNANDEZ-CASTANO EUROPEAN TOUR PLAYER OF OCTOBER

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Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño has been named The Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Month for October when he played a significant role in Continental Europe’s victory in the Seve Trophy by Golf+ and then captured the BMW Masters presented by SRE Group.

Fernandez-Castaño, pictured left by courtesy of Getty Images(c), who receives an engraved alms dish and a Jeroboam of Moët and Chandon champagne, earned three points out of five as his Spanish compatriot José María Olazábal captained Continental Europe to their first win since 2000 in the Seve Trophy when they overcame Great Britain and Ireland 15-13 at Saint-Nom-La-Bretéche, Paris, France.

Then the resident of Madrid belatedly celebrated his 33^rd birthday by claiming his seventh European Tour title, and his third sponsored by BMW, by compiling rounds of 71, 71, 67 and 68 for a winning 11 under par total of 277 in the BMW Masters presented by SRE Group at Lake Malaren Golf Club, in Shanghai, China.

Fernandez-Castaño, who is currently fifth in The 2013 Race to Dubai, said: “It’s a great honour, I feel very proud to receive this award for the second time.

“Who could have imagined, playing the Qualifying School back in 2004, that ten years later I would have achieved seven victories. It’s amazing how time goes by. In 2004, you are at the School thinking where your life will end up – and in 2013, you find yourself with seven titles.   

“I look back at 2011, when I had problems with my back, and I can hardly believe how dark a time it was. I was full of doubts, and getting back to being competitive again was very tough. But since then, I’ve won three times. Now I am so happy!”

The Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year Panel, comprising members of the Association of Golf Writers as well as commentators from television and radio, selected Fernandez-Castaño whilst also considering the achievements of Frenchman Grégory Bourdy, who became the first player to claim a maximum five points in the Seve Trophy, and European Tour winners David Lynn (Portugal Masters) of England, and South Korea’s Jin Jeong (ISPS Handa Perth International).

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