Adrien Saddier produced a sensational back-nine charge to help him clinch a first DP World Tour victory at the Italian Open.
The 33-year-old from France, who was making his 200th appearance on the circuit, found himself three shots behind overnight leader and compatriot Martin Courva at the turn after he bogeyed the fourth and eighth. But the back-nine saw Saddier hit his groove as he sunk five birdies in a seven-hole run to leapfrog Courva and claim the lead. He went on to stretch his lead following another birdie at the 16th and coolly parred the final two holes to close with a final-round 66 to finish on 14 under and seal an impressive three-shot victory at Argentario Golf Club.
“It’s great. It’s taken so much work to be able to do this. I’m just grateful,” Saddier said, in what was an emotional interview.
“I started the back nine really good and I just said ‘just stay in your own zone, just keep focused, make the putts’. And I did it.”
Victory for Saddier means that he will take part in next months Open Championship at Royal Portrush which will also see runner-up Courva as the event provides exemptions into the major for the top two.
Third saw a tie between Scotland’s Calum Hill and England’s Daniel Bradbury on 10 under while there was also a tie for fifth between France’s Clement Sordet and Germany’s Nicolai von Dellingshausen.
What is the next event?
The next event on the DP World Tour schedule is the BMW International Open taking place between 3-6 July at Golfclub München Eichenried in Munich, Germany.