22nd October 2017 | Alps Tour Golf
Arnaus Does the Double!
Credit: Tristan Jones.
Adria Arnaus ended the season in sparkling form coming from five shots behind to take the Grand Final title and create history as the first amateur to win Alps Tour Order of Merit at Golf Des Iles Borromees.
He shot his best round of the week, 65, to move to -14 for the tournament, then has a nervous wait while the last two groups finished their rounds. As it was, no one was able to match him over the final stretch and he was delighted to take his second win of the season.
“The Grand Final has been a really special event for me, coming here as number on in the Order of Merit, I just wanted to enjoy it and I definitely did that. The course condition was fantastic and I fell in love with the greens, I felt like the ball had a true roll of the time.”
Credit: Tristan Jones.
Arnaus, ranked 25th on the world amateur rankings, played 9 events on the Alps Tour this year, has managed four top ten finishes as well as his two victories and has now added a Challenge Tour card to his achievements this season.
“I started in the first event in Madrid, with no expectations came to have fun and compete, I ended up in a playoff and that gave me the chance to take part in the rest of the season and it has been amazing.”
Joint runner up, Christophe Koerbler of Austria, -12, recorded his highest ever finish on the Alps Tour, finishing his season with a faultless 65, which included four birdies and an eagle. His performance means he jumps nine places up the Order of Merit to be inside the top 30 giving him category 4 on the Alps Tour for next season. Leo Lespinasse also on -12 shot his second consecutive 69 to share second place with Koerbler and also record his highest finish of the year.
The top five players on the Order of Merit after the Grand Final all receive their Challenge Tour cards, and as it was today, the Order of Merit remained unchanged.
Congratulations to Adria Arnaus of Spain, Ugo Coussaud and Antoine Rozner of France, Lars Van Meijel of the Netherlands and Robin Roussel of France who will all be playing on the Challenge Tour next season.
Thanks a lot to the Golf des Iles Borromées for their wonderful hospitality. A special thank to the Federazione Italiana Golf and Italian Pro Tour for their strong support all year long and all the sponsors of the tournament.
21st October 2017 | Alps Tour Golf
Antoine Rozner Moves Ahead
A foggy start to the third round meant that play was delayed until 11:00 and then again until 12:15. Tournament Director, Alessandro Pia took the decision to start the round from both first and 10th tee to make sure that the round was completed in daylight.
Round of the day was a faultless seven under par, 64, from France’s Julien Foret who jumped from tied 19th to tied 6th position. Ugo Coussaud of France shot a flawless 65 to jump from 9th to second place.
It was however, another Frenchman, Antoine Rozner who produced his second 65 of the week to take a three shot lead heading into the final round. A strong start for the Parisian allowed him to focus on his game.
“I started really well, with 4 birdies in my first 4 so that helped me get in the birdy mood. I hit the ball really well and my putting was good so I am very happy with it. The course is great, you have to be pretty smart at times because if you put the ball in the wrong spot it is not good so you have to think a lot and be aggressive sometimes but smart other times.”
A rookie on the Alps Tour, Rozner has achieved five top five finishes this season but is still looking for his first win. “I’m just going to go all out to win the tournament tomorrow.”
A Challenge Tour card looks almost certain for Rozner at this stage of the tournament, this would allow him to join his older brother, Olivier, who has been playing there this season.
The top five players on the Alps Tour Order of Merit, not otherwise exempt, will receive a Challenge Tour card next season. So far the top four players, Adria Arnaus, Ugo Coussaud, Antoine Rozner and Lars Van Meijel look set to gain keep their top four spots. France’s Robin Roussel who currently occupies 5th place on the ranking could be in danger from either Spain’s David Borda or Austria’s Lukas Nemecz who could out Roussel with a strong finish tomorrow.
Overnight leader Maxime Radureau had a torrid time on the course and dropped to 21st place, shooting a 79, +8, 16 shots worse than yesterday’s score.
The final round begins at 9:20, teeing off from the first and 10th holes, with the final tee time being 10:50 local time.
19th October 2017 | Alps Tour Golf
McDonald and Rozner co-leaders
Perfect golfing conditions prevailed during the opening round of the Grand Final at Golf des Iles Borromees. The lightest of breezes and sunshine met the 43 players battling for the last tournament of the season.
It was the 24-year-old Scotsman Jack McDonald who took the clubhouse lead early on with a six under 65. The colourful scorecard included three bogeys, 5 birdies and two eagles, coming on the 6th where he chipped in from the front of the green and the 11th where he put a 5 iron to 20 feet and holed the putt.
McDonald said: “I got off to quite a poor start, I was a couple over after 5 and then eagled 6 and birdied 7 which got me going. I managed another eagle on 11, then made some solid birdies and tap in pars.
I like the course, it’s nice, there are a few tricky tee shots but if you get through them, there are a lot of chances, and the greens are great as well.”
McDonald had a glittering amateur career, and followed in his grandfather’s footsteps by being part of a victorious Walker Cup team in 2014.
By coincidence, sharing the same birthday as McDonald, 12 February 1993, Antoine Rozner also carded a six under 65 including one double bogey, three bogeys and an incredible 11 birdies.
“It was a crazy round, I don’t know if I have made that many birdies in a round before. I made too many mistakes and put the ball in wrong spot and you just can’t do that on this course. I am very, very happy to make 11 birdies, tomorrow I aim to cut out the errors.”
Rozner, an Alps Tour rookie this season, who is currently third on the order of merit heading into this week, is looking for his first win of the year having achieved five top ten finishes from 13 tournament starts in 2017.
Frenchman Rozner is in good company at the top of the leaderboard with compatriots, Leo Lespinasse in third place on -5 and Leonard Bem in fourth on minus 4.
The top five players on the order of merit at the end of the Grand Final will receive their Challenge Tour card, which adds to the excitement of the last tournament of the 2017 season.
Rozner and McDonald will be playing the second round together, teeing off last as there is a daily re-draw. Tee times start at 8:30 with the final match teeing off at midday local time.
10th September 2017 | Alps Tour Golf
French amateur Edgar Catherine claimed maiden win
Amateur Edgar Catherine, 19, claimed maiden title in a pro event. He kept nerves of steel during last round while the overnight leader, Antoine Rozner, dropped 4 shots on the last 2 holes. Catherine signed for 66 final round and eventually recorded a 5 shot win in Citadelle Trophy Preisch. Spain(s David Borda completed the podium with -11.
Rozner was confident but he said yesterday that nothing was done and that 18 holes to play is still a long way to go for a win. He learned the lesson the hard this Sunday.
« I am really and now I will enjoy this moment because I have had tough months. I can not say I am surprised to win a pro event, I have been working for this a lot. »
Despite his second position, Antoine Rozner could enjoy to enter the Alps Tour top 5. France’s Ugo Coussaud confirmed his leadership, he fired 63, -9 today, the best ever played on this golf course. At second place, Spanish amateur Adria Arnaus, then Lars Van Meijel of Netherlands and French duo Antoine Rozner and Robin Roussel.
9th September 2017 | Alps Tour Golf
Rozner took advantage of moving day in France
Antoine Rozner (pict TV Sport Events)took the lead very early during this moving day. The player from Paris signed for 68, -4 for -12 total in Citadelle Trophy Preisch.
« Unfortunately, as I just finished my round I still have in mind back to back bogey on 17th and 18th but still, it was a really good day. I made very few mistakes, until the 16th hole I did not drop any shot. It was a nice day with six birdies and the course defends itself pretty well.
I am in the race for a title and tomorrow I will give everything.
I had no choice but to see the leaderboards, they are big adn you have to deal with but with my playing partner, Edgar, we were focused on our round. What is important is to play well, not to look at what others can do because you can not control them. If someone shot 10 under tomorrow, big applause to him but I am in a good position. »
On his toes, a group of three players, France’s JB Gonnet, former European Tour player, David Borda of Spain and French amateur Edgar Catherine. They are only one shot further. Autria’s Lukas Nemecz is -10 and is a real threat to Rozner as he won this season.
31st August 2017 | Alps Tour Golf
A group of 6 ahead as play was suspended in Italy
Season has resumed in Italy for Alps Tour players. This event this week takes place in one of the most scenic course, the golf golf Cervinio. Located 2050 meters above the sea, the course is surrounded by mountains, designed by Donald Harradine more than 60 years ago.
Unfortunately, storms and heavy rain disturbed first roud and game was suspended for the day at 15h40. A group of 6 players are leaders at the club house with -5. Amoung them, Italy’s Nunzio Lombardi, France’s Julien Brun, first time winner in 2017 and Richard Jouven, Kiwi Shaun Jones, England’s James Sharp, and Scot’s Daniel Young.
On course, Antoine Rozner from France is in good position to challenge the leaders as he turned first nine 4 under.
The course is short but the greens are so small that precision is more than required to go for birdies. The game will resume at 07:30 tomorrow morning.
25th June 2017 | Alps Tour Golf
Rozner strong despite Radureau’s hunt
Antoine Rozner keeps a narrow lead after third round of Open de la Mirabelle d’or. The 23 year old player from Paris scored 69, -2 to lead by one at -14 over Maxime Radureau. The latter was the real threat of the day, he was -8 after 15 holes, -16 total but he struggled to keep the pace until the end of the round and lost three shots in three holes.
Rozner will play for maiden win tomorrow but he knows that good scores can come from behind but he seems to be ready to handle the pressure as his game is currently really efficient.
« It was not a bad day. The only regret I could have is not having made birdies on easy holes such as first, 4th, 10th, 11th and 12th so it was a pity not taking advantage of this. But it is never easy to lead like this but most of all, I am happy with my behavior and I stayed calm, that was really good. I will try to do the same tomorrow.
I had Maxime on my toes, he was playing really well but this is the game and tomorrow, if not Max, another could shoot low and I have to be ready and I think I really have to focus on my game and not watching the other payers. There is no reason not to play well because I strike the ball so well currently so the leit motiv will be, stay focus on yourself and don’t use the calculator on course ! »
23rd June 2017 | Alps Tour Golf
Rozner increased half way lead in France
Antoine Rozner increased his advantage heading to the week end in Metz, France. He signed back to back 65 to lead with -12, three shot clear of fellow countryman Léonard Bem and one shot further of Maxime Radureau.. Still very hot temperatures on course of La Grange aux Ormes this Friday, more than 35°C and windy.
« It was not the same feeling as yesterday, I struggled to find the pace of the greens and I three putted twice. But in the other hand I holed two eagles, including a gimme on the 12th. It was again a very good day and I am pleased with that.
It is a four round event which is not so often on the Alps Tour but I won’t play differently during the moving. I know I am only half way tournament and I want to keep on with this good feeling. I will have a good rest as it took a lots of energy to play with such a heat, 35-38 ° C on course. »
The cut felt at level par with 43 players including an amateur, Aurélien Simeurt.
22nd June 2017 | Alps Tour Golf
Rozner took the lead on home soil
France’s Antoine Rozner fired solid 65, -6 during Open de la Mirabelle d’or first round. The Parisian had 5 birdies, one eagle and dropped one shot on the last hole to lead by 2 shots over a group of 3 compatriots, Maxime Radureau, Léonard Bem and Julien Brun.
« I am really happy with my day, I played really well. I stroke the ball very nicely, I think I only missed one green. On front nine, I really took my chance while playing without wind, I put myself quickly in the ‘birdie mood’ as I was 4 under after 5 holes, so it really launched me in the round. I managed to keep the pace and I holed for birdie on pars 5 on back nine. I would like to keep this momentum tomorrow but not being to aggressive for the moment. I have been putting well these past days so I’d like to take advantage of it this week.
8th June 2017 | Alps Tour Golf
Rozner set the pace in Italy
France’s Antoine Rozner shot low and signed for flawless 62, -8 during first round of Villaverde Open. His fellow country Grégoire Schoeb is one shot back, then a shot further Kiwi Shaun Jones and Netherlands’ Max Albertus.
« I am very happy with my day, I really played very well. I started from the 10th tee and the back nine is more complicated than front nine and I managed to handle it quite well. I was -1 heading back and I was already satisfied with this score because some holes are tricky.
Then from 1st to 9th, everything went well. I birdied all the pars 5, it helps for sure, and I holed really some good putts and at the end it’s a -8 signed for. It was a beautiful golfing day. I am very happy to start the tournament this way. »
The projected cut is -1.
