Amateur Romain Buttarazzi and Italy’s Luca Memeo share first-round lead at the Biarritz Cup by ARKEA

Biarritz, July 24, 2026 – French amateur Romain Buttarazzi and Italy’s Luca Memeo share the lead after the opening round of the Biarritz Cup by ARKEA, both carding an impressive 8-under-par 61 at Golf de Biarritz Le Phare.

Playing in the morning under calm conditions, Buttarazzi produced a spectacular round featuring one eagle, eight birdies and two bogeys. The player from Nîmes set the clubhouse target before being joined later in the day by Memeo, who matched the score despite facing significantly windier afternoon conditions. The Italian delivered a flawless bogey-free round, highlighted by three consecutive birdies on holes 14, 15 and 16.

Another amateur impressed on the opening day, as Tom de Herrypon fired a 7-under-par 62 to claim solo third place. Fellow French Augustin Holé sits alone in fourth after signing a bogey-free 6-under-par 63. Seven players are tied for fifth place at 5-under par.

Round 2 will begin at 7:40 a.m. local time from both the 1st and 9th tees at Golf de Biarritz Le Phare. At the conclusion of the second round, a cut will be made to the leading 30 professionals and ties, including all amateurs within the cut, who will advance to the final round.

Round 1 Player Quotes

Romain Buttarazzi : “Two days ago, I picked up a slight injury and was very close to going back home to Nîmes. I received treatment yesterday, so I arrived here with a relaxed mindset, just wanting to enjoy the course that I already know well. All the work I’d done beforehand finally paid off.

Mentally, it’s been a difficult period. I had a few unlucky breaks in recent tournaments that affected my confidence, so I’ve been working hard on that aspect of my game. I came here with no pressure, just looking to enjoy myself and rebuild that confidence, and today everything came together. I also recently had a lesson with a new putting coach, which really helped restore my confidence on the greens.”

Luca Memeo: “From tee to green I was really solid, and I managed to hole a few putts as well. On the second nine I kept playing well, even though a few putts didn’t drop early on. Then I made three birdies in a row on 14, 15 and 16, taking advantage of those holes.

There was definitely a little more wind than in the morning, especially on the back nine, but it was consistent. It was probably worth one or two clubs, and since it didn’t change direction, it wasn’t too difficult to manage.”

Tournament Promoter and Sponsors

The Biarritz Cup by ARKEA is promoted and organized by the Association Sportive des Golfs de Biarritz.

The event is supported by Arkéa Banques Entreprises et Institutionnels, C&S Partners, Golf Plus, Srixon, Ecoalf, Maison Adam, Volvo Sipa Automobiles, Société des Golfs de Biarritz, Alain Afflelou Biarritz, Eiffage, Zaporeak, Ville de Biarritz and the French Golf Federation.

Photo : Alps Tour / Nathan Cardet

Alps Tour Media Contact- Nathan Cardet : [email protected]

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