Palmer overhauls Marguery for emotional Grado win

England’s Jason Palmer with former Ryder Cup player and European Tour winner Costantino Rocca (c) Claudio Scaccini.

Jason Palmer dedicated his two-shot Friuli Venezia Giulia Open victory to his late father after the Englishman carded a superb final-round six-under-par 66 to overhaul France’s Raphael Marguery on Saturday.

Palmer’s three birdies in his final six holes and mistake-free last round in contrast to overnight leader Marguery (70), whose two-shot advantage starting the day disappeared with a double bogey at the par-five ninth, took the Englishman to his first win since 2010 and top of the order of merit.

More poignantly Palmer told a large crowd at the presentation ceremony that the triumph was for his father, who passed away in January.

“I could never make him proud enough. So Dad, this is for you,” said Palmer, holding back the tears after former Ryder Cup player Costantino Rocca presented him with the trophy.

“I played really solid all day and I knew I was swinging it well because the first two days everything was working,” added Palmer, who moved above Spain’s Jesus Legarrea to take top spot in the money standings thanks to his 15-under Grado Open total.

While visibly disappointed about letting his lead slip, Marguery was full of hope for the rest of the season.

“A few mistakes cost me really bad today, especially after such a good start, but I’m proud of the way I fought until the end,” said Marguery.

“I think good things will happen as a result of this and I can’t wait to get back on the course,” added the Frenchman, delighted to have been in contention on the final day for the first time.

Tied with Marguery in second place were England’s Ben Evans (68) and Austria’s Lukas Nemecz (65), who hit the shot of the day with a wedge on the par-three fourth for another hole-in-one.

“It’s already my 10^th ace I think, so I guess I’m a lucky guy,” said the grinning 23-year-old.

Brendan McCarroll posted the round of the day early on with a stunning nine-under 63, that included a booming drive to reach the 17^th green.

“Not bad, missed a few putts,” said the Irishman, whose tied-fifth finish kept him fourth in the order of merit and edged him further ahead of Spain’s Borja Etchart.

From Grado

Tom Pilcher

Golfmanager Press Agency