Ignacio Sanchez Palencia king of Guadeloupe

Spain’s Ignacio Sanchez Palencia played with inspiration, feeling and chance all day long. Among great shots, he holed more than 10 meters on last hole to crucified his playing partner England’s Jason Barnes and ruined France’s Guillaume Cambis hope to get into a play off.

The leaderboard has been moving at almost every hole. A group of eight players were fighting to stay in the race for the best place. In the last group, Jason Barnes did a very good start with 2 birdies in a row on first two holes and was 2 clear from nearest challenger, Ignacio Sanchez Palencia. At this moment it seemed that the story of a fifth British win on Alps Tour was about to be written. But golf is full of surprises, magic shots and putt flirting with the hole and avoid it at the very end.

One player, France’s Guillaume Cambis put pressure on the others as he turned -6 for the day after 14 holes. The rookie did not start the tournament well, his first score was 75 but as rounds went on, he adapted his game and played better and better. He was -12 total as well as Ignacio Sanchez Palencia, Jason Barnes and Jaime Camargo. Guillaume Cambis dropped one shot on 16th par 3. He missed the green on the right, almost holed his bunker shot but missed the putt. Spectators could hear the young gun said “come on, let’s do 3 and 3 on coming hole and that’s it !”. He was closed to achieve his wish with 2 birdies and a total of -13 waiting for the last group.

Behind Ignacio Sanchez Palencia had a one stroke advantage over Jason Barnes. He was -13 total as he teed off the 17th hole. His ball find the fairway as Barnes one. Spaniard hit his second shot with a three wood to hit the green and hooked it in the direction of the out of bounds. Barnes land in the bunker. Sanchez Palencia hit a provisional ball and he almost holed it as crowd shout after such a great shot. He saved a unexpected par to stay -13. Barnes did a great bunker shot and holed to be -13 as well.
Spectators could hear referees walkies talkies crackled to plan a play off…

The 18th green is often the place of tears, joy and emotion. This first Open de Saint François ended the best way as far as sport is concerned. Barnes and Sanchez Palencia were quite far from the pin. Spaniard put first. His ball rolled softly but straight to the target and fall into the hole with nice sound followed by laud yell of the spectators. Sanchez waited until Barnes missed his put to see all spanish “armada” running on the green and put him under a champagne shower before throwing him in the water hazard.
Thanks to this win, Ignacio Sanchez Palencia jumped on the 4th place of the Alps Tour ranking and Guillaume Cambis entered the 5th position.

At Saint François
Agathe Séron