3rd April 2015 | Alps Tour Golf
Legarrea surged thanks to 61
Spain’s Jesus Legarrea (c) Tristan Jones
Spain’s Jesus Legarrea shot the lowest score in Alps Tour history and in his life. The 27 year old player from Elso fired amazing 61, 11 under par to lead the Alps de Las Catillas 2015.
Once again, the course of Golf Valdeluz was punished by Alps Tour players and the cut after 2 rounds is -6, the lowest ever on Alps Tour and another nice chapter is about to be written as Javier Ballesteros made his first cut as pro.
Legarrea has an day like in a dream, first nine, from the 10th, 3 under and he came back to the club house in 28 shots.
“I played really well, it is my first tournament since six months as I had a shoulder injury. It is a very special round, this is the lowest round in my life. The course is not very difficult nad the greens are very nice so if you are putting well it can make the difference.
I am not making any plans, the goal is to go back at the hotel, to relax and play tomorrow. I am only thinking about the next day.”
A French trio will be on the Spanish toes just 2 shots back of the lead. Among them, Open de la Mirabelle d’or 2014, Jean-Pierre Verselin.
“My putting was really solid, I never missed under 2 meters and my driving was great as well. On this golf course on some holes, the strategy is to hit as far as possible and on some others, I preferred to have a full wedge cause the greens are not receptive so it was not easy to stop the ball. For tomorrow, I had not score goal but I assume any player could shoot 8 or 9 under so the winning score should be very low.”
Baptiste Chapellan is a former Challenge Tour member but he did not win since 2009, the year he had finished in Alps Tour top 5. He scored 63, the second best score of the day.
“I broke my hand and I had 3 months off. I started playing on the 16th of March so I have no expectation. I played pretty much the same as yesterday but I putted better. I stayed patient. I will try to play smart because on this course, no need to hit the drive every hole cause if you are on the wrong side of the green, you are dead. No plan for tomorrow and we will see.
The third Frenchman in position to challenge Legarrea is rookie Franck Daux. The 23 year old player is the only one on provisonnal podium not to have recorded a win as pro. Last big win as amateur was the “Lignel” individual score.
“Today, I drove really well and I always had a chance to go for the greens. The course is short so many second shot with wedge so a lots of putts under 5 meters. I got the pace of the greens very early in the tournament. I am putting really well and I had the chance to hole twice about 5 meters for eagle on pars 5 so it was great. And I really had a nice finish as I three putted the 16th but I holed about 7 meters on both 17th and 18th so it was nice.”
From Valedeluz
Agathe Séron
2nd April 2015 | Alps Tour Golf
Verselin stormed clear
France’s Jean-Pierre Verselin (c) Agathe Séron
France’s Jean-Pierre Verselin took advantage of great playing condition to post 64 and leads the opening round of Alps de Las Castillas by 2 shots.
After winter series in Egypt in February, Alps Tour is back on Europe soil and Spain welcomes the first regular event of the 2015 season. The Valdeluz golf club is 45 minutes north east from Madrid. Players showed their good form today as no less than 75 out of 123 shot under par. The 5700 meter course troubled in defending itself against young guns from all over Europe.
Verselin was the sharpest with 8 birdies posted during the morning session including five in the row from the 11th. The 2015 Open de la Mirabelle d’Or winner placed the line quite high and no one was able to catch him.
A group of four players from Spain will challenge the French leader tomorrow as they are only 2 shots back. Javier Ballesteros, Seve’s son shot 5 under with a pack of 6 players including former Challenge Tour members Baptiste Chapellan and Jesus Legarrea.
