A sad week in Spain had a happy ending for Thomas Aiken.

While the untimely death of Seve Ballesteros overshadowed all proceedings at the Spanish Open, Thomas lifted everybody’s spirits with his first European Tour triumph and he immediately dedicated his win to Seve.

Thomas had signalled his intention of having a very good season earlier in the year with a third place finish in Johannesburg and his consistency since meant a win was just around the corner.

It came in Barcelona much to his own delight and the relief of all those who have followed his progress during a run of 103 tournaments before the big breakthrough.   It is simply amazing just how much talent comes out of South Africa and there is more on the way.

ISM players acquitted themselves very well in Spain because apart from Thomas, Simon Dyson, Romain Wattel and Dave Horsey all finished in the top five.  We have now had eight winners on the European Tour out of the last 18 starts which hopefully means we are on the way to our most successful year.

Now the Tour stays in Spain, but goes offshore and I can sniff more success coming in Mallorca.