The big-hitting Argentine known as "The Bull" charged to his second European tour title today. Ricardo Gonzalez (34) came from six strokes behind to win the Telefonica Madrid Open at Club de Campo by one with a closing 65.
England's Paul Casey, four clear overnight, Ireland' Padraig Harrington, Australian left-hander Nick O'Hern and Swede Marten Olander all failed to grab the birdie at the 349-yard 18th which would have forced a play-off.
Harrington, twice a winner on the course, also produced a 65, but paid for missing putts of six and 18 feet on the final two greens.
Out in 31 and then leader by one after a birdie at the long 14th, he commented: "I didn't know I was out in front, but I didn't convert a couple of good shots at the end.
"I hit a bad putt on 17, but I was surprised to be long on the last. Six under is a good last round, though, and at the start of the day I didn't think I had a chance."
It was the 20th runners-up finish of Harrington's career, but on this occasion it was Casey who felt worst about missing out.
The 26-year-old had led from the time he opened with an eight under par 63 on Thursday, but bogeys at the seventh, ninth and 11th during a heavy downpour cost him dear.
As Casey was doing that, Gonzalez was completing a marvellous run of eight birdies in 12 holes from the fourth. That swept the 2001 European Masters champion two in front, but he opened the door again by failing to get up and down from a greenside bunker at the last. Nobody was able to take advantage, though.
Gonzalez, only 87th on the Order of Merit going into the week, collected the £162,288 first prize with a 14 under par total of 270.