Victor Dubuisson and Rudy Sautron (am) Lead After Round 1 at the 2025 Biarritz Cup by C&S Partners.
Biarritz, July 25th, 2025- After the opening round of the 2025 Biarritz Cup by C&S Partners, the leaderboard is tightly packed. France’s Victor Dubuisson, alongside amateur Rudy Sautron, share the lead with an impressive 7 under-par,62. In a closely contested race, there is a 6-way tie for 3rd place at 6 under-par, featuring the Netherlands’ Lars Keunen and Jerry Ji, Italy’s Matteo Cristoni, France’s Benjamin Kedochim and amateur Louka Morin, and Ireland’s Ronan Mullarney.
The 126th edition of the Biarritz Cup marks a historic milestone, as the prestigious amateur tournament is co-sanctioned with the Alps Tour for the first time. Held at the iconic Golf de Biarritz Le Phare, it brings together leading amateurs and professionals from across Europe, enhancing its competitive stature and international appeal. Founded in 1899, the Biarritz Cup is Continental Europe’s oldest amateur event and has seen champions such as José María Olazábal and Jorge Campillo grace its fairways.
This week’s event plays a pivotal role in the Alps Tour season, with players competing not only for the tournament title but also for crucial points in the Order of Merit. The top five at the end of the 2025 season will earn their cards for the 2026 HotelPlanner Tour, while the top six players (including amateurs), up to ten not otherwise exempt, after this week’s event, will receive exemptions into Stage 1 of the 2025 DP World Tour Qualifying School. With only a few events remaining before the Alps Tour Grand Final, the pressure is mounting for those chasing a spot among the Tour’s elite.
Round 1 Player Quotes
Former Ryder Cup player and two-times DP World Tour winner, France’s Victor Dubuisson, 35, is in a share of the lead after the opening round of the 2025 Biarritz Cup by C&S Partners with a 7 under-par, 62. Known for his exceptional short game and composure under pressure, Dubuisson brings valuable experience to the event. A standout in European golf, his rare appearance on the Alps Tour gives younger players a chance to compete alongside one of France’s top professionals. He carded a bogey-free round, with birdies on holes 8 and 10, followed by four consecutive birdies from hole 12 to hole 15, and ended his day with a clutch birdie putt from over 10 meters on the 18th hole to take the lead.“It was a great day today, the course is in great condition. It’s a tricky course—quite short but very challenging. The greens aren’t easy to read,” Dubuisson said. “I started well on the first few holes, even though I missed some putts, but I stayed patient as I was hitting the ball really well. I left a few birdie putts out there, but I made two good birdies at the end, so overall I’m happy with the day.” Reflecting on his final putt, Dubuisson added, “On 18, I was between two clubs, my 52 and my wedges. The out-of-bounds is only a few meters behind the green, so I went with the shorter club, knowing I could be a maximum of 10 meters short. In the end, I was 15 meters short but made a solid birdie putt. It was a perfect putt, and with all the putts I left out there today, it was a great way to finish.”
French amateur Rudy Sautron, 19, shares the lead with Victor Dubuisson after an impressive opening round of 7-under-par 62. Sautron delivered a flawless, bogey-free performance with birdies at holes 1, 6, 10, 11, and 15, and capped off his round in spectacular fashion with an eagle on the par-4 18th. A standout collegiate player, Sautron has earned multiple honors, including Big Ten Men’s Golfer of the Week, and recently secured a win at the Indian Creek Invitational. That victory also earned him a spot in the upcoming Korn Ferry Tour’s Pinnacle Bank Championship.“I’m pretty happy about my game today—I shot a good 7 under,” said Sautron. “On this golf course, you need to hit some good shots and make some good putts, and that’s what I was able to do, especially on the back nine. I missed some short putts throughout the day, but the eagle on 18 cancelled all my misses.” Reflecting on the dramatic finish, Sautron added: “I hit a good drive on 18 and put it to 50 feet for eagle and made it, so it was an easy jump from 5 under to 7 under. It was incredible and definitely allows me to bring some good momentum into tomorrow.”
Round 1 Co-Leader at the 2025 Biarritz Cup by C&S Partners, France’s Rudy Sautron (am) Photo Credits: Alps Tour Golf
In a 6-way tie for 3rd place after the first round, all at 6 under-par, 63, are: Lars Keunen and Jerry Ji from the Netherlands; Italy’s Matteo Cristoni; Benjamin Kedochim from France, alongside his compatriot Louka Morin(amateur) and Ireland’s Ronan Mullarney.
Lars Keunen is a two-time Alps Tour winner, with titles at the 2020 Ein Bay Open and the 2023 Tenerife Pro Golf Open. Jerry Ji secured his first professional title at the 2025 Aravell Golf Andorra Open by Creand, while Italy’s Matteo Cristoni is still seeking his maiden Alps Tour victory this week. Benjamin Kedochim, the 2024 Alps Tour Order of Merit winner, earned one of the coveted 2025 HotelPlanner Tour cards. Competing this week in his hometown of Biarritz, Kedochim delivered six top-three finishes during the 2024 season, demonstrating remarkable consistency despite not claiming a win. Amateur Louka Morin, also from France, is a rising talent who made headlines in 2024 by becoming the first French player to win the Scottish Boys Open Championship—a milestone achieved just days before his 18th birthday. Ireland’s Ronan Mullarney, meanwhile, claimed two victories during the 2023 season, which secured him the Order of Merit title and promotion to the 2024 HotelPlanner Tour.
With the race intensifying and the stakes high, all the players will face increasing pressure to make their move in Round 2 as they seek to improve their positions and contend for the title.
Format & Prize Fund
The 2025 Biarritz Cup by C&S Partners will be played as a 54 holes stroke play tournament where a cut will be made after 36 holes to the top 30 professional players and ties plus amateurs within the cut.
The prize fund will distribute € 47.500 (to professionals only) and 45,000 Order of Merit points for Alps Tour members. The winner will earn €7,600 and 6,525 Order of Merit points.
The Course
Nestled in the heart of the Basque Coast in France, Golf de Biarritz Le Phare is one of the oldest and most iconic golf courses in continental Europe. Established in 1888, the course was designed by the renowned architect Willie Dunn and offers a unique blend of tradition, elegance, and technical challenge.
Golf de Biarritz Le Phare may not be the longest course, but it demands strategic precision and mastery of the short game. Its beautifully manicured fairways wind through a rolling parkland layout, lined with century-old trees and offering breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. The course is defined by its undulating greens, clever bunkering, and constant coastal breezes that test players’ skill and adaptability.
Situated just minutes from the vibrant city center of Biarritz, Golf de Biarritz Le Phare seamlessly combines the charm of a historic venue with modern amenities. With over a century of competitive legacy, it continues to host prestigious tournaments and welcomes golfers from around the world in pursuit of excellence, challenge, and timeless golfing heritage.
Tournament Promoter and Sponsors
The 2025 Biarritz Cup by C&S Partners is promoted and organized by the Sports Association of the Biarritz Golf Club.
The 2025 Biarritz Cup by C&S Partners is supported by C&S Partners, GolfPlus, Banque Privée Pyrénées Gascogne, Birdie l’Agence, Afflelou, and Volvo SIPA Anglet.
Round 1 Photos are available here – Please Credit: Pierre Chabot for all usage.
Alps Tour Media Contact- Alice Barbieri: [email protected]
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