Fiesta for Bragulat

Juan Antonio Bragulat claimed his second title of the season. After Frenchman Alan Bihan and Italian Matteo Delpodio, Spaniard Bragulat is the third player this year to win twice. His margin this morning was only one stroke but his closest challengers can not scored better than level. He played 68 to win the Open de la Mirabelle d’Or 4 clear at Metz, France.

Scot Raymond Russell finished his round square with Mirabelle d’Or golf course to tie 4th place. Young French Amateur Clément Sordet signed for a disappointing 74 and finished 7th tie.

At second place tie, 4 strokes behind the lead, Englishman Sam Robinson and Frenchman Laurent Poncelet. Poncelet did sign the best score of the day, 64. The 32 year old player has been playing as professional for only 9 months. He used to have “normal job” in logistic and golf event. Last year, he decided to change his life with his family, friends and wife support. This first great result is a great gift for Laurent “Lolo” Poncelet.

Agathe Séron

Bragulat in the mood for second win

Spaniard Juan Antonio Bragulat maintained pressure on field in France. After two perfect cards without any dropped shot, he scored 67 today, -5 with one double bogey on third hole par 3 and 7 birdies.

The course did resist better today to players assault. Despite a great 64 signed by Carlos Balmaseda, no record registered during third round. At second place tie, one stroke back of lead, Scot Raymond Russell and French amateur Clément Sordet. Nunzio Lombardi, famous name since a couple of weeks as he won Open d’Ile de France, shares 4th place with Englishman Sam Robinson.

As last week, many players on top of leaderboard already shown their talent this year. No less than 5 winners in the top 10 to tee off last day in Metz.

Agathe Séron

Spaniard Bragulat one clear in France

Spaniard Juan Bragulat took first place at Open de la Mirabelle d’or in France after scoring 66 for -12 total. Bragulat shown again his good form. He was in the race for winning last week in Normandy after two rounds but finished at 10th position. Obviously he wants to do better this week.

Yesterday’s leader Italian Marco Crespi played during afternoon session and hole after hole came back on the top of the leaderboard. But he failed keeping good swing rhythm and shot 68 to be 2nd tie with Raymond Russel one stroke back.

Scot Raymond Russel did the best performance today. He played incredible way and holed 11 birdies without doing any mistake. He signed for 61 and just missed by one to equalize course record.

A group of 4 players are 4th tie 2 shots behind the lead : Slovenian Gregor Slabe and three Frenchmen, Matthieu Bey, Michael Hill and amateur Clément Sordet.

Agathe Séron

Crespi and Sordet leaders in France

Italian Marco Crespi and French amateur Clément Sordet are leading after first round of Open International de la Mirabelle d’or in France.

Frenchman and Italian player shot 65, 7 under par. Clément Sordet, 17 years old, is the 2009 French Champion and finished 3rd at European Championship last year.

Milanese Marco Crespi is 31 years old, had won three time on Alps Tour these past 2 years but never in France.

One stroke behind, a group of 4 players, Matthieu Bey, Juan Bragulat, Gregor Slabe and Gerald Gresse.

The pojected cut is -1.

Delpodio wins Open de Normandie

Matteo Delpodio won his second title of the year with a big margin of 4 strokes and a total of -13. He has been playing a perfect golf until the 15th hole : 4 birdies and one eagle. Then he dropped two shots on 15th and 16th but the end of the story had been written hours ago.

His closer opponents could only fight for second place and Italian player has never been in real danger during last round. His margin was already 6 strokes after 5 holes and even if Julien Foret or Jason Palmer holed some birdies, it was too late to stop Italian machine.

“I played amazing golf on front nine and the difference with yesterday is that I holed some putts. I am very happy of course but more important I know that I can be in the last group each week. Having the 5 best players very closed is a great challenge. Honestly this season is very interesting.”

Frenchman Julien Foret and Englishman Jason Palmer finished second tie at -9 and Norwegian Jason Kelly and Frenchman Clément Gallois fourth at -6.

Matteo Delpodio took his revenge on Frenchman Alan Bihan and got his first place back at the Alps Tour Order of merit.

Agathe Séron

Delpodio aims for second win

Matteo Delpodio shot 70, one under today and it was enough to keep a two stroke advantage at Open International de Normandie.

At second place, Frenchman Clément Gallois with a total of -7. He will play in the last group tomorrow and seek for maiden win. Then, 3 shots back of the lead, another French, Julien Foret who struggled with his game today and shot 74.

It was a tough windy and rainy day. Many green and blue figures on the leaderboard to show all bogeys and doubles that “rained” on course. Italian Matteo Delpodio only dropped one shot on the last hole.

“I played so well, I only missed two greens but today I was not able to hole any putt ! I think I had 34… But still, I am very happy to lead but I could have been 14 under at least. I have learned to accept this kind of day. For sure last year I would had been very upset, but I changed… I know that all the guys behind me can shot 64 tomorrow so I know I must be patient.”

The best score of the day, 67, was signed by another Italian player, Joon Kim. As yesterday, all players in top 5 of the Alps Tour order of merit are still on Delpodio’s heels.

Agathe Séron

Gallery photo

Pictures of the pro-am day available. Click on the link below.

Pro-Am Open de Normandie

Delpodio and Foret co-leaders in Normandy

Italian Matteo Delpodio and Frenchman Julien Foret are both leading the Open International de Normandie. They signed for a second card of 67 and are one stroke clear of Spaniard Juan Bragulat. Bragulat was very closed to be the hero of the day but dropped 4 shots on the last 2 holes… The score of the day was played by Frenchman Clement Gallois: 64, -7. He joined top 4.

All the best players of the Alps Tour Order of Merit are in good position to win. Alan Bihan and Jason Palmer are fifth tie and Carlos Balmaseda is 9th. This situation suits to Italian Matteo Delpodio:

“It is very interesting to have the top 5 of the order of merit in the top 10 of the tournament. In terms of motivation, I like it very much. I like the course and place as well. The American school says that Saturday is moving day but I think everyday is important and finally you are more concentrate if you are in the top 5 teeing of the third round. As the fairways are very dry, the ball keeps jumping so you need to have a very good strategy. Once again it’s going to be very interesting”.

Julien Foret, former European Tour player, enjoys being the challenger of the group.

“ It’s been a long time since I was co-leader on a tournament. I putted very well, made 8 birdies but had 2 double bogeys. One of my tee shot went out of bound and on another hole I hit good 3 wood but landed in water hazard. I know that the guys on top this week are playing well this year but honestly, I do not matter. I am used to stay focus on my game and I pay no attention to other players.”

The cut is fixed at +4.

Agathe Séron

New event on the schedule

we are pleased to announce the confirmation of the following event:
Masters 13
14-17 October 2010
Pont-Royal Golf Club

The prizefund for this event will be 45,000€. Two pro-am events will be played on Monday and Wednesday. The golf course is located approximately 40 minutes from Marseille in South of France. This is a same venue as past years.
Further information will follow in due course.

Same song for Bihan in Normandy

Week after week, same names on the top of the leaderboard. Frenchman Alan Bihan, winner last week in Italy, proved again his good form. He shot first round 66, -5 during Open International de Normandie, against the strong wind.

One stroke behind, serious opponents: after morning session, Italian Matteo Delpodio and Frenchman Julien Foret were leaders at club house with a score of -4. They were joined by two Spaniards by the end of the day, Mikel Galdos and Juan Bragulat.

No less than 3 winners this year on provisionnal podium this evening and 2 strokes back of the lead,  Norvegian Jason Kelly and Swiss Fredrik Svanberg.

Projected cut +2.

Agathe Séron