Fernandez, Persson Claim European Championships

GLASGOW, Scotland – A pair of former Iowa State golfers had strong showings representing their countries at the inaugural European Championships over the weekend. Spaniard Scott Fernandez and Swede Cajsa Persson both won gold for their country in the Men's and Women's European Golf Team Championships, respectively.

Fernandez and teammate Pedro Orilo won two-of-three group stage matches to advance to the men's semifinals.

After defeating an Italian tandem to advance to the finals, Fernandez and Orilo faced a team from Iceland. The match went to the final hole where Fernandez clinched the victory with a birdie on the 18^th to claim the gold for his country.

On the women's side, Persson and playing partner Linda Wessberg, who was a member of the 2007 Solheim Cup team for Europe, also won two-of-three group stage matches to reach the semifinals and advanced to the gold medal match with a 1 Up victory over Great Britain.

Persson and Wessberg won the title against France with a birdie on the 20^th hole.

Fernandez, who was an All-American in his brilliant Cyclone career (2012-15), is currently a member of the European Tour. He has made 10 cuts and is ranked 148^th in earnings this season.

Persson, who was a three-time Big 12 All-Tournament team member in her career at Iowa State (2013-16), is on the Ladies European Tour. Her best showing was a third-place finish at the Jabra Ladies Open.