Reeve Whitson has become a budding figure of European golf by winning the final of the International Amateur Championship of Spain, Copa S. M. El Rey, over Neil Raymond from England by 4 and . In a final played over 36 holes on the South Course at La Manga Club in Spain, Whitson controlled the match from the 13th hole.
After initially being matched hole for hole, the Irish golfer took control, finishing the first 18 holes with 2up. At the start of the second round Raymond was somewhat disadvantaged but took the game level only for a very calm Whitson to clinch the final two holes in a row (6 and 7).
The winner takes over the tournament honours from Jack English, who won last year in the course of Alcanada Golf Mallorca after winning the final against Germany's Marcel Schneider by 4/3.
Since the foundation of the competition in 1911 - with the exception of the period between 1935 and 1941 - a host of p[layers have registered their name in the honours including Jose Maria Olazabal (1983 and 1984), Darren Clarke (1990), Sergio Garcia (1998) and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (2003).
Copa de SM El Rey 2013
Reeve Whitson (IRE) beats Neil Raymond (ENG) by 4/3
Semifinal
Reeve Whitson (IRE) wins Saddier Adrien (FRA) by 5/4
Neil Raymond (ENG) beats Edouard Amacher (SWI) by 2/1
