Romain Langasque succeeds in Wales

Romain Langasque (25), ranked No. 156, golfer from France, produced six birdies in a faultless, bogey-free round of 65 (6-under) vir a tournament score of 8-under. He overturned a five-shot deficit to claim his maiden European Tour title at the Wales Open at the Celtic Manor Resort on Sunday. Langasque began his round and made three birdies on both the front nine and back nine.

 "I was playing really good since the start of the week and was only focusing on my own thing, and I'm so happy the way I played the back nine," Langasque said afterward.

"I had so many birdie opportunities and the second shot on 16 and the tee shot on 17 were my two best shots of the week. It's one of the first times I didn't really feel the pressure because I was really focused on every shot and the first I felt pressure was the wedge to 18 because I was looking to have a longer shot. It was not easy because I was too close and the two-putt was under pressure but before that I was really cool."

The leaderboard was crowded with players that had their eyes on the winners’ cheque on the final day.

Langasque kept his focus to end two strokes clear of Sami Valimaki, who carded a 69.

British players David Dixon and Matthew Jordan, who is ranked No. 1,228, shot 66 and 68, respectively and shared third place, at 5-under. It was one beter than their fellow countrymen, Laurie Canter and James Morrison, as well as the Swede Sebastian Soderberg.

Soderberg, who started the day tied for the lead with Connor Syme, went to the par-5 18th needing a birdie to take Langasque to a playoff. His hopes ended when his approach found the water and he wound up with a triple-bogey 8 for a 74, dropping to a tied-for-fifth finish on 4 under.

Victory ensures Langasque a place in September’s US Open Championship after finishing in the top 10 of the UK Swing Order of Merit, alongside Valimaki. He has also moved into the world's top 100 for the first time.

“Things happen so fast in golf. I’m very satisfied. It is where we all wanted to be,” Langasque said afterward. “I am proud of myself.”

Connor Syme and Justin Harding also booked their places for the Major championship at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York, alongside Sam Horsfield, Thomas Detry, Andy Sullivan, Rasmus Hojgaard, Renato Paratore and Adrian Otaegui.

“It is wonderful to play in my first American Open this year. The good thing of not having spectators, is that there will be less pressure,” Romain Langasque explained.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2QvauIi