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Rafa is highly regarded in the professional golf scene and started to play golf when he was 6 years old. He grew up next to a golf course in Gran Canaria, playing golf with his younger sister Emma, now a successful player on the Ladies European Tour and his brother Miguel, who recently turned professional. Rafa loves reading books, skiing and football. He studied business and economics at the University of Las Palmas but his studies were interrupted by his quick rise through the professional golfing ranks. He immediately won in his debut year the MAN NÖ Open in Austria and finished 13th on the final Challenge Tour Order of Merit. Rafael is considered one of Spain’s great golfing talents having been a leading player throughout his amateur career. In 2012 Rafael won his second European Tour title, the Dubai Desert Classic and established his position as one of the  leading players in Europe. 

 

Personal

 

Birthday: 25 May, 1984 in Gran Canaria

Nationality: Spanish

Turned Professional: 2005

Interests: Surfing, Fitness, Skiing, Reading, Football

 

 

Amateur Career

 

Rafael Cabrera-Bello went on to enjoy a successful amateur career, winning the Spanish National Championship at every age group level from under-7 through under-18. 

In 2002, as a 17-year-old amateur, he finished tied 4th at the Open de Espana, a European Tour event. He turned professional at the age of 20 in 2005, having narrowly missed out obtaining a European Tour card at final qualifying school. His performance did ensure a place for the European Challenge Tour.

 

 

Professional Career

 

Challenge Tour Wins: 2

European Tour Wins: 3

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Race to Dubai 20th 2019

Race to Dubai 7th 2017

Finished 20th in the World Ranking 2017

61st on the PGA Tour/FedEx Ranking 2017

Ryder Cup player 2016

Race to Dubai 8th 2016

Olympic Games 5th 2016

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Winner of Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open in 2017 (Rolex Series Event)

Winner of  the Dubai Desert Classic 2012 and runner-up in 2016

Winner of the Austrian Golf Open 2009

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Rafa had a very successful season 2016, making cuts in all four Majors in 2016 and the best debut from a Spanish player at the US Masters.

 

He was undefeated at the Ryder Cup in Hazeltine, USA contributing 2.5 points to the European Team score.

 

He represented Spain at the Olympic Games in Rio, finishing with a 5th place and represented Spain in Melbourne at the World Cup with Jon Rahm.

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In 2017, Rafa participated both on the European Tour as well as the PGA Tour, where he had outstanding performances, finishing 4th at The Players Championship and the FedEX St. Jude's Classic in Memphis. He finished his PGA Tour season playing in the three of the four FedEX Final Series Events. In Europe, he won the prestigious Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, an inaugural Rolex Series Event. The following week, Rafa achieved another strong 4th place at the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club. In 2018 Rafa finished 26th on the Official World Golf Ranking and in 2019 he had several top 10 finishes and started the year 2020 with a T12th position at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA. 

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Please follow Rafa Cabrera-Bello on the European Tour