Flor de Caña Open Makes PGA TOUR Latinoamérica History — Mukul Resort | Nicaragua's Secret Luxury Resort
“What a rewarding experience it has been to once again welcome players from all over the world to not only enjoy the tournament, but to be immersed in everything Nicaragua and Mukul, an Auberge Resort has to offer. Our partnership with the PGA Tour Latinoamerica continues to be successful and a relationship we are proud to have. ”
Set within the lush rainforest and rugged ocean bluffs along Nicaragua’s Emerald Coast, aspiring golfers from around the world convene to play in Mukul’s annual PGA TOUR Latinoamérica event, the Flor de Caña Open. Hailing from far and wide, PGA TOUR Latinoamérica competitors meet at Mukul’s David McLay Kidd 18-hole course each fall, all vying for the coveted title of tournament champion and getting one step closer to a spot in the Top 5.
For 2017’s Flor de Caña Open, play began on August 31st. During a week full of fierce competition, only Michael Buttacavoli and Michael Davan remained. On Sunday, September 3rd, the competitors were tied at 20-under 284, which led to one of the longest sudden-death deadlock playoffs in PGA TOUR history. The two golfers battled it out hole after hole, which continued for a total of 10 holes, post-regulation play.
When it seemed as if the tournament couldn’t go on any longer, Buttacavoli finally overcame Davan on the 10th extra hole, making par to Davan’s bogey. Often denoted as a tough hole to finish, the 18th at Mukul’s course is a par-3 finishing hole; the Pacific Ocean is the green’s only backdrop, making depth perception somewhat difficult to manage. During the last and final hole of the playoff between Buttacavoli and Davan, the electronic score board was the only light left to illuminate the green. The sun was well past setting when Buttacavoli was finally declared the victor.
The win marks Buttacavoli’s second on the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica, complimenting his victory at the 2014 Dominican Republic Open. Trailing only the 11-hole playoffs at the PGA TOUR’s 1949 Motor City Open in Detroit and the Web.com Tour’s Cleveland Open in 2014, Flor de Caña’s 2017 tournament is the longest playoff in the six years of PGA TOUR Latinoamérica. The final battle will forever be in the history books as one of the longest playoff rounds in golf. Now that is something to celebrate.
