Xavier Poncelet defeats Jaime Carmago after first extra hole

France’s Xavier Poncelet, 26 years old, fired 64 and waited one hour and half to get into a play off as Spain’s Jaime Camargo dropped one shot on 18th hole. Poncelet only needed one extra hole to defeat his opponent.

Xavier Poncelet is playing on Challenge Tour this season after getting graduated from Alps Tour last year. The summary of his first steps on this new circuit is short: disappointing. Poncelet who had a couple of great results in 2010 and 2011 such as some places on podium cannot find his pace on Challenge Tour. This week in Metz was a way to give him confidence and to prove, if necessary, that the young man from Bordeaux has skills to be among the best. He signed for a wonderful 64, 7 under par, his best score since june 2011. He was the leader at the club house with -11 and at this moment, he could not dream of a play off.

Overnight leader Spain’s Jaime Camargo started the day -12 total and did not shoot over par during this week. But as a bad course or a “déjà vu” it was written that misfortune will be the 15th club in his bag. Camargo did not play very well but maintained his advantage as he teed of the last hole. A few year ago, the 18th was a par 5 but as it is downhill, almost all the players hit the green in two. To add suspens and challenge, the 434 meter 18th hole is now a solid par 4 and was Spaniard’s nightmare. Camargo made a bogey there where he should not afford it and had to face this fairway and green a few minutes after.

Xavier Poncelet had nothing to loose after this amazing day. He played first and decieded to drive. His ball landed on the fairway 140 meters from the green. Camargo, after hitting his first shot with an iron was under a tree, got a free drop and hit the green, 25 meters from the flag. Poncelet did about the same shot as far as distance to the pin is concerned. Camargo put first, passed the hole from 2 meters. Poncelet missed on the right and had 1,5 meter to finish. Camargo missed his putt and Poncelet holed his to grabb maiden win.

By Agathe Séron