Open de Saint-Francois – Day 1

Tough day… In the early morning as first players teed off, the sun was shinning and warm temperatures has cuddled the air until noon.

But as a reminder of the low latitudes – Guadeloupe is 16° nord between tropic of Cancer and equator – heavy rain forced the officials to suspend the play during two hours and a half.

The game resumed in a cooler atmosphere but last groups coudn’t complete their round. They completed their round on friday morning..

The leader after this long first holes is England’s Jack Senior. He signed for 65, 6 under par. On his toes, Italy’s Alberto Campanile one stroke behind.

Watch round 1 highlights.

2nd Open de Saint-François Guadeloupe

The Golf International de Saint-Francois holds the second edition of the Open de Saint-Francois Guadeloupe this week. After the renovation of the course, designed by Trent Jones, players and visitors discover a new Club House in a caribbean style, modern and comfortable.

75 players, including 4 amateurs, will take part in the event. Tomorrow, 39 teams composed of one professional and three amateurs will play the pro-am, ending by a prize ceremony at the Casino.

The tournament will start on Thursday for 4 rounds with a cut after 36 holes qualifying the top 40 and ties. The winner will go with a cheque of ? 7,250.

Once upon a time… McDonnell's day

England’s Chris McDonnell managed to deal with “first time” pressure to win LUMAR Slovenian Golf Open. He defeated France’s Thomas Fournier who signed for a 67 score of the day to tie lead afetr 54 holes.

McDonnell was playing in the last group for this first time in his career. “I was a kind of nervous during first 9 holes” he said. Then I played better but I made a mistake on the 14th misjudging the wind. I ended one foot short and it rolled in the water”

Meanwhile, Thomas Fournier, one group ahead, was leading with -7 as the Englishman was then -6. But the player from Hexham golf club made putt for birdy on the last 2 holes and stay in contention to go into a play off.

A play-off for a trophy was a first time as well for McDonnell. “I hit a very good second shot on the par 5 18th. Thomas missed his tee shot and was in the trees so you couldn’t hit the green. I had 2 putts to win and I did.”

By Agathe Séron

McDonnell targets maiden win

England’s Chris McDonnell shot a wonderful 7 under par 64 for -10 total to be far ahead at Lumar Slovenian Open. His closest opponent is France’s rookie Jérôme Lando-Casanova 3 strokes behind. Tom Sherreard is third with -5 total McDonnell, 30 year old, just got graduated from PGA after 4 years studies and decieded to play on tours for the next 3 or 4 years.

“Today was a little brizzy and gusty but the course is perfect and I enjoyed it. I will be in the last group the last day for the first time in my career. I guess I will play as during first two rounds. Playing each shot as it comes and try not to worry about the score.”

The cut is fixed at + 5, the best Slovenian player is Matjaz Gojcic at 26th position.

By Agathe Séron

Emilio Rodriguez one stroke clear

Spain’s Emilio Rodriguez was on of the last players in the draw today at LUMAR Slovenian Golf Open. He made a group of 3 players fall on the top of the podium at the very last moment of this first round. Rodriguez, 26 year old from Alicante shot 66 and signed for a bogey free card.

On hie toes, players in good form. Nothern Ireland’s Gareth Shaw who finished second last week in Austria, France’s Dominique Nouailhac who was on the podium as well in Maria Lankowitz and his fellow Thomas Fournier.

The cut is +2 after one round.

By Agathe Séron

LUMAR Slovenian Golf Open

After heavy rain and cold weather yesterday, weather is better now in Ptuj. This afternoon, the LUMAR Slovenian Pro am has been launched at 13.00 with 31 teams. All the best players are taking part, including the winner of last week Brendan MCCARROL and a past winner of the Slovenian Open Dominique NOUAILHAC.

Maiden win for fisherman Brendan Mc Carroll

Ireland’s Brendan Mc Carroll won the 20^th Gösser Open presented by Martin Wiegele. He defeated Northern Ireland’s friend Gareth Shaw after second extra hole. A group of 3 players took 3^rd place on the podium. France’s Julien Gressier and Dominique Nouailhac and Italy’s Joon Kim.

It was one of the most amazing day of Alps Tour history. No less than 7 players were on course with a total of -13. Walkies talkies kept on announcing ties and photographers run from one group to another to be sure to have the winner in the box.

First to lead at the clubhouse was France’s Domnique Nouailhac. He shot 65. A few minutes later, fellow Julien Gressier signed for same score and same total, -13. At that moment, players in the last group were -12.

Austrian Jürgen Maurer stayed close to his playing partner during 10 holes but his swing seemed to abandon him hole after hole. On his side, Bendan Mc Carroll holed for birdy on the 13^th for -13. He hit great shot on 16^th to -14 as crowd applause Shaw’s birdy on 18^th for -14 as well. The two overnight “fishermen” went into a play off. As said at the price giving, the 2012 Gösser Open was in Irish hands.

Playing the 18^th hole for the second time, Shaw missed his tee shot on the left behind a tree and had to play 90° to the fairway and he couldn’t save par. Mc Carroll, 26 year old, grabbed his maiden trophy.

“I like the shape of the course, I can see the shots I have to play. It was easier than at home on links (Ballyliffin GC) I putted well this week but honestly, I never put me dead. I didn’t look at the leaderboard on the 18^th tee. I just wanted to play par. I felt very relax all day long. The shot of the day ? Maybe the second one on the par 5 16^th. I hit the green and I made a really good 20 meter put that let me 3 inches left. It was funny to get into a play off against Gareth. We went fishing together with Irishman yesterday. I am happy not to be second any more and obviously I would like to keep on playing well. My goal in the European tour.”

The new top 5 of Alps Tour order of merit is Jack Senior, Bredan Mc Carroll, Jesus Legarrea, Gareth Shaw and Joon Kim.

From Maria Lankowitz
Agathe Séron

Late Kim joins Maurer and McCarroll

Austria’s Jürgen Maurer (pict © Christian Walgram) and Ireland’s Brandon McCarroll took early half day lead at Gösser Open. They both fired 66 to aggregate -10. Only one player made a big move in the afternoon session, Italian Joon Kim. He signed for same score to join the duo. The cut is fixed at -3, the lowest of the season so far.

Fare morning made the players painted the leader board in birdy red. First fellow to enjoy warm atmosphere was 26 year old Brendan McCarroll. The native from Derry did the perfect day without any drop shot. He explained among other things that the thought of a fishing afternoon in the lake behind the 5^th green made him feel relax on course.

“On course there is no real issue. I fell comfortable. I putt pretty well, and most of all I don’t worry any more about the results as I did last year. Key to win ? I don’t know : keep on making putts? (laugh)”

Jürgen Maurer, co-leader on his home soil had quite a busy afternoon. After playing great he had to answer to many journalists and explained again and again how ha shot 29 on his back nine.

“Yesterday I had a wonderful day, I hit 16 greens and today I was only 3 under after 9 but I holed 10 meters on my 10^th hole, the hole number 1. This eagle launched me and I made 2 birdies in a row on the 2^th and third hole. On these greens it is important to read the grain carefully and to adapt your pace if it is with or without the slope. When I won in 2006, I was -10 close tied and I won after 3 or 4 extra play off holes defeated Italian Massimo Florioli.”

The Italian of the 2012 Gösser Open story played in the afternoon. Discreet Joon Kim made a bogey free card as well and will be part of those running to maiden win.

“I played solid and I feel much more confident on greens than yesterday. I will try to play the same tomorrow. As I never be in contention for winning before I don’t think about it right now but I guess I will try to stay calm and do the best I can.”

From Maria Lankowitz
Agathe Séron

Bechu to lead the party

France’s Romain Bechu shot a 66-6-under-par at Gösser Open presented by Martin Wiegele. On his toes, last week winner, England’s Jack Senior and Gareth Shaw from Northern Ireland. A pack of 10 players are chasing them at -4.

The launch of the 20th anniversary was delayed by 30 minutes due to frost on the beautiful course of GC Erzherzog Johann. But the sun rose all day long and players just had to deal with swirling winds. France’s Romain Bechu, 25 year old, was the best against the elements.

“I played solid, I hit 18 greens and made some putts. Last past tournaments I missed the cut because I was not focused. And here I felt good and I like very much the landscape with mountains.”

One stroke behind, England’s Jack Senior proved his good form and enjoyed playing the course which required he said sometime to be offensive and sometime to play safe.

“Obviously my confidence is high as I just won last week. When you believe in yourself everything seemed to be easier. I am happy with my score but it could have been way much better. I missed some good opportunities. I had some troubles to read the greens. But still. I am happy with my game.”

The best Austrian players are Jürgen Maurer and one amateur, Max Bruck both at -4. The projected cut is -2 including 7 amateurs.

From Maria Lankowitz
By Agathe Séron