Quiros wins Alps de Las Castillas

Raul Quiros wins his first title on Alps Tour. His final 71 score for -6 total was enough to resist to Ricki Neil-Jones’ assault. Englishman fired wonderful 67 to finish second by his own. Fellow Laurie Canter climbed on podium third step.

Raul Quiros wins his first title on Alps Tour. His final 71 score for -6 total was enough to resist to Ricki Neil-Jones’ assault. Englishman fired wonderful 67 to finish second by his own. Fellow Laurie Canter climbed on podium third step.

Ricki Neil-Jones signed for best score of the week with great 67. Englishman has been playing for a few seasons on Alps Tour and is still seeking for maiden win.

“I hit it really well all week, it was just that I wasn’t holing any putts. I pretty much hit it as good as I could finally. Putting was definitely what made the difference today, the key of my game. Holed good putts all day long, and made a great eagle on hole 4, with the 3 wood to about 15 meters and holed it. It was such a nice round and I am happy with it but a bit disappointed after dropping a shot on the last hole to have chances. But overall it was very nice to play that well because it was tough out there”.

Young Matt Wallace should have as well some regrets as his last round in the last group was not a bed of roses. He was in contention until the 9th hole. But he had a bad time on 10th hole and as he had to speed up his routine, he started to drop shots. Unfortunately he had a second bad time on the 14th synonymous of one stroke penalty.

Playing partner Raul Quiros made a solid round to keep his lead even if he realize he played the last few holes with to much caution.

“On 17th I thought I was 3 shots ahead so I did not risk, hit it to the right and when I reached the green I felt awful because then I saw that I was just 1 shot ahead, and hit it short for birdie. And played really well the 18th, good drive, very good 4 iron and 2 putts from 7-8 meters.”

“I started the round with very good tee shot on number 1 to 1 meter that could have been an eagle but rolled to the bunker, I made a great bunker shot and holed it for birdie; then it was almost in for eagle on 2nd and I made birdie ; on 3rd I hit a very good shot with the 6 iron to 1 meter but could not make it for birdie ; made good ups and downs on 4, 5, 8, I missed a very short birdie putt on 7th, 9 and 10. Those were good birdie chances. On 11th it was plugged in rough that I thought I could not hit it, I had to call a referee and made bogey and on 12th I missed a very short putt for bogey. I made a really good birdie on 14th with a 6 iron to a meter and a half.”

“I did not worry at all about the 2 bogeys because they were little mistakes, no big mental errors so I was ok, but the birdie on 14th made me breath. I am really happy to start the season winning, I think I am a lot more in competition than the other guys because I have been playing the Gecko Tour but still, I have a few changes to do in my game that I have suffered today and yesterday so it is time now to work with them.”

Andrew Cooley keeps the first place at Alps Tour ranking despite he is missing the cut this week. Ricki Neil-Jones jumps to second position and Laurie Canter enters directly to 7th position.

From Toledo
Agathe Séron