26th July 2026 | Alps Tour Golf
Jorge Maicas claims dramatic Biarritz Cup by ARKEA victory
Biarritz, France, July 26, 2026 – A tightly contested leaderboard, leaders cancelling each other out, and challengers charging from behind made for a thrilling final round at the Biarritz Cup by ARKEA, which ultimately required a three-man sudden-death playoff to decide the champion.
After losing in a playoff at this event last year, Jorge Maicas earned his revenge by birdieing the first extra hole to capture the title. The Spaniard signed for a superb 5-under-par 64 to finish the tournament at 11-under par, tied alongside France’s Benjamin Kedochim and Switzerland’s Maximilien Sturdza after 54 holes.
Italy’s Luca Memeo finished alone in fourth, just one shot outside the playoff, while defending champion Victor Dubuisson shared fifth place with Spain’s Víctor García Broto.
With the victory, Jorge Maicas earns €8,100 and 6,525 Order of Merit points, moving significantly closer to the leading group in the season standings. Meanwhile, a seventh-place finish was enough for Mario Galiano Aguilar to climb into fifth place in the Order of Merit.
With only a handful of events remaining, the Order of Merit is becoming increasingly competitive, with every point proving crucial in the race to qualify for the 2026 Hulencourt Alps Tour Grand Final and secure one of the coveted promotion spots to the HotelPlanner Tour.
The race resumes at the 2026 Longwy Alps Open, taking place from September 3–5 at UGolf Longwy International in France.
Round 3 Player Quotes
Jorge Maicas : “I’m obviously very happy. The day didn’t start the way I wanted, and I wasn’t playing my best early on. But as the round went on, I started playing better, making putts and getting myself into contention. On the last hole I had a chance to win it in regulation, and it came very close, so I was pleased just to make the playoff.
I looked at the leaderboard on the last hole, but I didn’t really know how many players were tied at the top. I knew I was in contention, but not exactly where everyone stood.
My season started slowly. Then I began playing better, even if the results didn’t always show it. After a small dip, I decided not to play last week’s tournament in Burgos so I could rest, practise at home and come to Biarritz fully recharged. This win changes my season because the Order of Merit is so tight. If you don’t win tournaments, it’s very difficult to move up the rankings.”
Maximilien Sturdza : “It was a really good day. I got off to a great start and was four under after six or seven holes, which gave me a lot of confidence. Then the finish was really good: birdie on 15 and eagle on 16 some very solid shots. It was a great round.
I decided not to look at the leaderboard today. The first time I saw it was on the 15th hole, and that’s when I realised I was right near the top.
Overall, I’m feeling very positive. It’s my best result on the Alps Tour so far, and for the last few tournaments I’ve felt that my game has really been coming together. Of course, it would have been nice to leave with the trophy, but it’s still a very encouraging week.”
Tournament Promoter and Sponsors
The Biarritz Cup by ARKEA is promoted and organized by the Association Sportive des Golfs de Biarritz.
The event is supported by Arkéa Banques Entreprises et Institutionnels, C&S Partners, Golf Plus, Srixon, Ecoalf, Maison Adam, Volvo Sipa Automobiles, Société des Golfs de Biarritz, Alain Afflelou Biarritz, Eiffage, Zaporeak, Ville de Biarritz and the French Golf Federation.
Photo : Alps Tour / Nathan Cardet
Alps Tour Media Contact- Nathan Cardet : [email protected]
For further information, please visit the official Alps Tour website at www.alpstourgolf.com or download the official Alps Tour Golf mobile application, available on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android). Stay updated by following the Alps Tour on social media via Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and X.
24th July 2026 | Alps Tour Golf
Amateur Romain Buttarazzi and Italy’s Luca Memeo share first-round lead at the Biarritz Cup by ARKEA
Biarritz, July 24, 2026 – French amateur Romain Buttarazzi and Italy’s Luca Memeo share the lead after the opening round of the Biarritz Cup by ARKEA, both carding an impressive 8-under-par 61 at Golf de Biarritz Le Phare.
Playing in the morning under calm conditions, Buttarazzi produced a spectacular round featuring one eagle, eight birdies and two bogeys. The player from Nîmes set the clubhouse target before being joined later in the day by Memeo, who matched the score despite facing significantly windier afternoon conditions. The Italian delivered a flawless bogey-free round, highlighted by three consecutive birdies on holes 14, 15 and 16.
Another amateur impressed on the opening day, as Tom de Herrypon fired a 7-under-par 62 to claim solo third place. Fellow French Augustin Holé sits alone in fourth after signing a bogey-free 6-under-par 63. Seven players are tied for fifth place at 5-under par.
Round 2 will begin at 7:40 a.m. local time from both the 1st and 9th tees at Golf de Biarritz Le Phare. At the conclusion of the second round, a cut will be made to the leading 30 professionals and ties, including all amateurs within the cut, who will advance to the final round.
Round 1 Player Quotes
Romain Buttarazzi : “Two days ago, I picked up a slight injury and was very close to going back home to Nîmes. I received treatment yesterday, so I arrived here with a relaxed mindset, just wanting to enjoy the course that I already know well. All the work I’d done beforehand finally paid off.
Mentally, it’s been a difficult period. I had a few unlucky breaks in recent tournaments that affected my confidence, so I’ve been working hard on that aspect of my game. I came here with no pressure, just looking to enjoy myself and rebuild that confidence, and today everything came together. I also recently had a lesson with a new putting coach, which really helped restore my confidence on the greens.”
Luca Memeo: “From tee to green I was really solid, and I managed to hole a few putts as well. On the second nine I kept playing well, even though a few putts didn’t drop early on. Then I made three birdies in a row on 14, 15 and 16, taking advantage of those holes.
There was definitely a little more wind than in the morning, especially on the back nine, but it was consistent. It was probably worth one or two clubs, and since it didn’t change direction, it wasn’t too difficult to manage.”
Tournament Promoter and Sponsors
The Biarritz Cup by ARKEA is promoted and organized by the Association Sportive des Golfs de Biarritz.
The event is supported by Arkéa Banques Entreprises et Institutionnels, C&S Partners, Golf Plus, Srixon, Ecoalf, Maison Adam, Volvo Sipa Automobiles, Société des Golfs de Biarritz, Alain Afflelou Biarritz, Eiffage, Zaporeak, Ville de Biarritz and the French Golf Federation.
Photo : Alps Tour / Nathan Cardet
Alps Tour Media Contact- Nathan Cardet : [email protected]
For further information, please visit the official Alps Tour website at www.alpstourgolf.com or download the official Alps Tour Golf mobile application, available on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android). Stay updated by following the Alps Tour on social media via Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and X.
#25thanniversary
#raisinggolfstars
#risinggolfstars
#2026alpstourseason
22nd July 2026 | Alps Tour Golf
Biarritz Cup by ARKEA brings together top amateurs and Alps Tour professionals
Biarritz, July 22nd, 2026 – For the second consecutive year, the Alps Tour heads to Golf de Biarritz Le Phare for the prestigious Biarritz Cup by ARKEA, one of the oldest and most historic tournaments in European golf. The special event, the 16th tournament of the 2026 Alps Tour season, will take place from July 24–26 and will once again bring together leading amateur players and Alps Tour professionals from across Europe and beyond.
First played in 1899, the Biarritz Cup boasts an outstanding list of past champions, including José María Olazábal (1983), Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño (2001), Mike Lorenzo-Vera (2003), Álvaro Quirós (2004), Jorge Campillo (2007) and Alejandro Del Rey (2014).
The tournament will be played over 54 holes of stroke play, with a cut after 36 holes to the leading 30 professionals and ties, including any amateurs within the cut. In the event of a tie after 54 holes, the title will be decided by a sudden-death playoff.
A minimum prize fund of €50,000 will be on offer, along with 45,000 Order of Merit points, including €8,000 and 6,525 points awarded to the winner.
Adding to the week’s festivities, the ARKEA Pro-Am, will take place on Thursday, July 23rd, with a shotgun start at 1:30 p.m. local time, featuring 25 teams.
The Field
This year’s Biarritz Cup by ARKEA will feature a 120-player field, made up of 60 top amateurs and 60 Alps Tour professionals. In a separate event, 36 elite amateur women will also compete throughout the week.
Defending champion Victor Dubuisson returns to Biarritz after making a memorable comeback to professional golf with his playoff victory here last year. Runner-up Jorge Maicas is also back and knows the course better than most, sharing the course record of 59 (-10).
Fresh off his maiden Alps Tour victory at the Alps de Las Castillas, Italy’s Flavio Michetti arrives in excellent form. Meanwhile, Alexandre Vandermoten, currently third in the Order of Merit, could clinch promotion to the HotelPlanner Tour with a third victory of the season
The Course
Nestled on France’s Basque Coast, Golf de Biarritz Le Phare is one of continental Europe’s oldest and most prestigious golf courses. Founded in 1888 and designed by renowned architect Willie Dunn, it combines history, elegance and championship-calibre golf.
Though not long by modern standards, Le Phare rewards precision, strategy and a sharp short game. Immaculately maintained fairways wind through a beautiful parkland setting lined with century-old trees, while Atlantic views and coastal breezes add both beauty and challenge. Undulating greens, strategically positioned bunkers and demanding approach shots ensure a true test of golf.
Located just minutes from the centre of Biarritz, the course blends historic charm with modern facilities. With more than a century of competitive heritage, it remains one of France’s most iconic golfing venues.
Tournament Promoter and Sponsors
The Biarritz Cup by ARKEA is promoted and organized by the Association Sportive des Golfs de Biarritz.
The event is supported by Arkéa Banques Entreprises et Institutionnels, C&S Partners, Golf Plus, Srixon, Ecoalf, Maison Adam, Volvo Sipa Automobiles, Société des Golfs de Biarritz, Alain Afflelou Biarritz, Eiffage, Zaporeak, Ville de Biarritz and the French Golf Federation.
Photo : Alps Tour / Nathan Cardet
Alps Tour Media Contact- Nathan Cardet : [email protected]
For further information, please visit the official Alps Tour website at www.alpstourgolf.com or download the official Alps Tour Golf mobile application, available on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android). Stay updated by following the Alps Tour on social media via Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and X.
#25thanniversary
#raisinggolfstars
#risinggolfstars
#2026alpstourseason
