26th February 2014 | Alps Tour Golf

Andrew Cooley keeps the trophy

Defending champion Andrew Cooley keeps his hand on the trophy surging clear after amazing round.

Defending champion Andrew Cooley keeps his hand on the trophy (c) Agathe Séron

England’s Andrew Cooley did an impressive final round at Red Sea Little Venice Open to manage to keep his trophy as defending champion. He equalized course record 64 for -15 total. France’s Clément Berardo and Thomas Elissalde finished respectively second and third.

Ain Sokhna is tough for rookies. Last year, Wales’ Rhys Enoch was leading and had a very disappointing last round. This week, Thomas Elissalde and Borja Virto, both playing their first season as pro teed off in the last group but things did not get well for them.

Meanwhile, Andrew Cooley signed for amazing front nine 30, -6. He was only one shot back of the lead at this moment. But the English birdie machine kept on grabbing some precious strokes. He holed birdies on 11th, 12th and 16th. His playing partner, Italy’s Giorgio De Filippi seemed to be very happy his fellow. He even said at the end of the round that the Englishman could have signed for 59 easily.

He eventually scored 64 missing the birdie on last green by a few centimetres.

« When I played first nine in -6 I thought I just keep going because the guy was 14 under I expected him to go even lower on the back nine. I just take one shot at a time. I had good memories and for example on 16th I was in very similar spot to where I was last year and I holed it. But it is a dream, really. »

France’s Clément Berardo shot 69 for -12 total despite struggling with reading the greens. He recorded his second podium in two weeks.

« Since the beginning of the week I struggled to read the greens. But all in all, two really good weeks. We have worked very efficiently with my coach Alain Alberti this winter and I improved my level of game. »

After the winter series, England’s Steven Brown leads the Alps Tour ranking, compatriot Andrew Cooley and France’s Berardo ties second place.

From Ain Sokhna
Agathe Séron

 

 

Latest Alps Tour Golf News