Alejandro Canizares: The four-time All-American at Arizona State, who just graduated in May, already has made a big splash on the European Tour. Playing in just his third tournament as a pro, Canizares captured last week’s Russian Open in Moscow in record fashion.

Never missing a beat, the Spaniard posted rounds of 66, 67, 67 and 66 for a 22-under par 266. That eclipsed the previous standard by three strokes, as Canizares whipped Scotland’s David Drysdale by four shots.

In the process, Canizares became the first affiliate member of the European Tour to win in only his third start, or quicker than Sergio Garcia and Graeme McDowell, who won their first pro event in their fourth start.

“This means everything,’’ said Canizares, who earned $169,834 (American currency). “I was trying to get my card through exemptions, and now I have done it by winning, so this is way beyond my expectations.’’

Canizares earned a two-year exemption onto the European Tour, and a berth in the HSBC Tournament of Champions in China, a special event that also features Tiger Woods. But chances are Canizares won’t be in Europe too long, not with his game.

He certainly impressed two of his playing partners in Russia. “(Canizares) never flinched, and his iron play was awesome,’’ said Drysdale. Added Ireland’s Gary Murphy, who was paired with Canizares in the third round: “I played with Sergio about a year after he turned professional, and this kid is as good as Sergio was then.’’

Because Canizares has played at ASU for the past four years, he is probably better known in the U.S. than in Europe, although Spaniards certainly know the name. His father, Jose Maria Canizares, was a five-time winner on the Euro Tour and played on four Ryder Cups before joining the Champions Tour, where he has won once.

“I spoke with my father (last Saturday night), and he told me to keep my confidence high, and not to think of anybody else out there,’’ Alejandro said of the phone call. “He told me to beat the golf course, not my opponents.’’

Obviously, Canizares catches on quick. Then again, what would you expect from the 2001 NCAA champion who helped Europe establish dominance in the Palmer Cup Matches? Hey, even the 23-year-old Canizares was blown away when he said: “This is probably the best I have ever played in my career.’’

ON TOUR

Tough decision: A lot was made of Ashley Prange’s exemption last week into the Safeway Classic, which was made possible by her win on The Golf Channel’s “Big Break V: Hawaii.’’ But when the season is finished, Prange might wish she had not ventured to Portland, where she missed the cut while also missing a start on her regular circuit – the Futures Tour.

That’s because Prange is No. 4 on the Futures Tour’s money list with $34,059, or $8 more than No. 5 Kristy McPherson. With only two events to go, starts are priceless for the top five players on the Futures, who all earn cards on the LPGA for 2007. Said Prange of her decision to honor the exemption rather than stick to the Futures: “I couldn’t control anything.’’