Angel Cabrera looks poised to claim Smurfit Kappa European Open Title

US Open Champ Angel Cabrera makes his eagerly awaited return to European soil following last month’s Major victory at Oakmont Country Club when he sets out to win the Smurfit Kappa European Open at The K Club in Kildare this week. Sportsbook.com lists Angel Cabrera at 12 to 1 odds to win the Smurfit Kappa European Open.

Cabrera wrote his name into the golfing history books when he became the first Argentine to lift the US Open trophy, having held off the challenges of Tiger Woods and another former winner Jim Furyk. The big hitting Argentine will face stiff opposition from home hopeful Padraig Harrington who recently lifted the Irish Open and is listed at 10 to 1 odds making him the favorite in the tournament.

Angel, who returned to his native Argentina to discover that he is now a gold-plated national celebrity, remains firmly committed to The European Tour and he said: “I have always enjoyed playing in Ireland, where the fans are both appreciative and knowledgeable.”

The South American has an impressive record at The K Club with six top-ten finishes in his 11 previous appearances in the tournament, the highlight of which was his second place in 2000. Angel led after three rounds seven years ago but was ultimately beaten by a stroke when England’s Lee Westwood closed with a brilliant round of 66.

If Angel Cabrera can manage to go one better this week, he will become the third US Open winner to capture the Smurfit Kappa European Open title at The K Club after New Zealand’s Michael Campbell in 2002 and South African Retief Goosen in 2004.
 
Cabrera is joined by fellow Major Champions Campbell, Paul Lawrie, Sandy Lyle, both of Scotland, and Ian Woosnam of Wales, while Sweden’s Niclas Fasth, who finished fourth behind Cabrera at Oakmont, will return to action for the first time since his victory in the BMW International Open in Munich.
 
England’s Nick Dougherty, tied seventh behind Cabrera in the US Open, and fellow countryman, Paul Casey, who finished in a share of tenth place at Oakmont, will also step up their bids for a first Smurfit Kappa European Open title.