Maiden win for Elissalde

Thomas Elissalde

France’s rookie Thomas Elissalde secured his maiden in Austria lifting the cristal grass of Gösser Open presented by Martin Wiegele thanks to 67 final round to finish one shot ahead Italy’s Andrea Romano.

Elissalde was the overnight co-leader beside Belgium’s Hugues Joannes. The weather forecast was really bad fot the afternoon so the tournament director decided to make players teed off from first and 10^th tee to try to avoid the big amount of water expected after 14:00.

The two players tied the lead of the ranking during height holes but unfortunately, Joannes dropped one shot on ninth to open the door to his playing partner. Meanwhile, Italy’s Alessio Bruschi, was leading with -14 total as he scored fantastic 65 with no mistake during this very wet day.

Joannes did not manage to put more pressure on Elissalde’s shoulders but Andrea Romano, first round leader, did. He was -5 for the day with four holes to play and at this moment, referees and officials were planning a pay off. But Elissalde, very solid on his long game and putting, holed for birdie on the 15^th par 3 and two holes later, sunk a winning putt on the 17^th par 3.

Young player from Biarritz eventually grabbed his maiden win and took the lead of the Alps Tour ranking with more than 4000 points advantage over England’s Steven Brown.