Nunzio Lombardi laughs in Paris

Smiling rookie Nunzio Lombardi wins his maiden trophy as professional. He had a wonderful week in Paris and never let the lead go once he took it after second round. With 4 great cards, 67/66/67/66, young player from Roma shown maturity as well as cheerful behaviour. He holed his last birdy on 18th to win 4 strokes clear.

Everyday can be different in golf. Italian Paolo Terreni experimented this rule during last round. His driving was not so strong as during first rounds and as he hit the ball quite farn when he missed the fairway, he could be in real trouble. Putting was good but ball turned often around hole as a not funny joke. Terreni was not in the race.

Lombardi had only one opponent, French Alan Bihan. But as Bihan admitted, Italian player was untouchable today :

“ When I holed the putt for birdy on the 15th and 16th, I really though I might have a chance. But Nunzio played fantastic and he crucified me holing his putt as well on the 16th. It was impossible to catch him.”

Despite his second place, Bihan made a great result. He earned a check of 4925 € meaning the same amount of points for the ranking. He took the lead of the Alps Tour order of merit thanks to 328 € more than Italian Matteo Delpodio.

Untouchable… Since Friday, Lombardi touched the heart of French public. This is the kind of player always smiling, having a nice word for playing partners, trying to say French words to people, saving ladybird on his putting line…. Last but not least, he played a enthusiastic golf, taking risk for the pleasure of spectators.

He hit two brilliant iron shots on the 12th and the 13th hole. He had good chance to holed but he missed two putts in a raw for less than 1,5 meter. On the 15th, he had 6 meters and told to his caddy :
“ I missed the 2 shorts so I will hole this one”. And he did it !

“I need to feel the competitors hot on my heels. When Alan holed on the 16th, I feel a little pressure and I really wanted to make birdy.”

Nunzio Lombardi until this win was not in the Italian group directed by Massimo Scarpa. He really hoped he will enter the “squadra azura”. For sure, French public can witness  he deserves it…

At Disneyland
Agathe Séron