The Future is French!

Post by Sports Writer Derek Clements

The future for French golf is looking pretty rosy, with Victor Dubuisson and Alexander Levy thriving on the European Tour. And they will be joined in 2015 by two compatriots whose confidence will be sky-high after the Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand Final.

The tournament was won by Benjamin Hebert, for his third success of the year. He finished five clear of his wonderfully-named compatriot Jerome Lando Casanova at 12 under par thanks to a closing 69, ensuring he became the first player in history to win three titles in one season on two separate occasions. But this time he will be hoping that there is no return to the Challenge Tour, where dreams are born and broken in equal measure.

Hebert built an unassailable lead thanks to five birdies and just two dropped shots, so the focus turned to the battle for the top 15 places in the rankings - and those all-important full playing rights.

For much of the day it had looked like Lasse Jensen had done enough to graduate, but a dreadful run around the turn ended his hopes  and left the way clear for Lando Casanova. He started the week with a shocking 78 and seemed destined to be heading for a trip to  Qualifying School Final Stage, but a fantastic run over the final three rounds saw him sign for a 69, and climb 25 places on the rankings into 13th place.

The 29-year-old had a nervous wait, however, after a bogey at the 17th.  Oliver Farr came to the last and when he hit his tee shot into the water, Lando Casanova’s graduation was secure.

Hebert was delighted to end the season in such a positive manner, as he prepares for a second crack at the big time next year.

“It is a perfect season end for sure,” said the 27 year old. “I played very well the last three months, but this is a great feeling. I always practice hard and keep myself positive in the bad times, but now it is OK, and we will have a lot of fun over the next week before I start practicing to improve my game for The European Tour.

“My game is much better than the last time I graduated, but sometimes I still feel so-so on the course, and I have a few bad stretches which I want to fix. If I can sort that out then I feel I can perform well next season.

“It was a hard day, with the wind getting up at the end of the round, but I stayed focused with my caddie and played it shot-by-shot. I had some good birdies on the 14th and 15th which gave me a good advantage, and over the last two holes I was just patient up until the end.

“My goal will be to keep my card next year. I have won six times on the Challenge Tour, but now I want to win on The European Tour. Winning three times in two different season has never been done before, which is a great achievement, but I would exchange all of those for one win on The European Tour."

Lando Casanova proved there is more to him than a great name. His form over the final 54 holes was superb, and he was stunned afterwards. "It hasn’t sunk in yet, but it is the first time in my career I am happy to be second,” he said. “On the 18th, watching Farr was the longest time of my life, and really, I don’t know what to say as I can’t quite believe it. Maybe when I put my tee in the ground on the first hole on The European Tour, then I will believe it.

“It feels great, but we’ll see how it goes next year. I’m so excited to get out there as soon as I can, and I can’t wait to get home and rest with my family and friends and stop golf for a while. For the moment I don’t care about the schedule for next year, I just want to rest.”

Farr might not have realised the effect his play on the final hole would have had on so many players’ careers, but regardless of his crucial bogey at the last to card a closing 73 and finish six adrift of Hebert, his third-place finish guarantees his place on the European Tour after a terrific rookie season.

In fourth was Byeong-hun An (68) who has long been assured of a tour card, while Hugues Joannes (70) and Alessandro Tadini (71) rounded out the top five.

Antonio Hortal was the man who finished in the dreaded 16th spot on the season-long list, after a final round of 78.

Ben Evans (72) had briefly climbed into the top 15 at the end of his round after Lando Casanova’s bogey at the penultimate hole, but the Frenchman’s crucial four at the last knocked Evans back down to 17th.

There was also disappointment for Jensen (77), who had entered the final day inside the top 15, but he dropped five shots in five holes and his chance was gone.

Andrew Johnston claimed top spot in the rankings, having started the week with a substantial lead, and his tie for ninth at the end of 72 holes in Dubai ensured a return to the European Tour in 2015 thanks to earnings of €190,856 this season.

Image Credit - Challenge Tour Twitter 

Derek Clements is a sports journalist with a particular passion for golf with over 12 years of experience covering golf and other sports including Chief Sub-Editor on the sports desk of The Sunday Times. To contact Derek email direct via [email protected]