Murphy tips Canizares for big things
Ireland’s Gary Murphy believes new Russian Open champion Alejandro Canizares has a bright future.
The Spaniard, son of former Ryder Cup star Jose Maria, surpassed a record held by compatriot Sergio Garcia and Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell in becoming the quickest associate member of the European Tour to record a victory.
And Irishman Murphy, who finished joint third in Moscow, made a favourable comparison between the 23-year-old Canizares – who won on only his third start - and Ryder Cup star Garcia.
“I played with Sergio about a year after he turned professional and this kid is as good as he was then,” said Murphy.
“Okay, he has to keep going and getting better but he has got a lot of game and could go to the very top level.”
Canizares carded a final-round 66 to finish 22 under, four shots clear of Scotland’s David Drysdale.
He has now targeted his father’s professional record.
“This is unbelievable. This means everything. I was trying to get my card through exemptions and now I have done it by winning my third event so this is way beyond my expectations,” said Canizares.
“Now I can focus on winning more. This is probably the best that I have played so far in my career.
“I spoke to my father on Saturday night and he told me to keep my confidence high and not to think of anybody else out there.
“He told me to beat the golf course not my opponents because you have no control over your opponents but you do have control over what you do on the course.
“He won seven times on Tour and played in four Ryder Cups so that is a nice target to try to beat over the next few years.”
