Adrien Saddier turned professional in 2013 and earned his European Tour card the following year. Italian Open final round leaderboard -14A Saddier (FRA)-12M Couvra-10C Hill (Sco), D Bradbury (Eng)-9C Sordet (Fra), N von Dellingshausen (Ger) Selected others: -5A Fitzpatrick (Eng),-4B Robinson-Thompson, R Cabrera (Esp), T Clements (Eng), M Penge (Eng) A brilliant charge on the back nine saw France's Adrien Saddier claim a first European title on his 200th start at the Italian Open. Saddier trailed compatriot Martin Couvra by three shots at the turn, but a run of five birdies over seven holes on the closing stretch sealed a two-stroke victory at the Argentario Golf Club. The 33-year-old finished with a four-under 66 to end on 14 under for the tournament, with Couvra second after carding a final round 69. Saddier, who made his Tour debut in 2014, was visibly emotional after claiming his long-awaited maiden win. "It's great. It's taken so much work to be able to do this. I'm just grateful," he said. "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." Their one-two finish means Saddier and Couvra have both earned places at the Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland next month. Scotland's Calum Hill and England's Dan Bradbury shared third place on 10 under.
Saddier wins first European Tour title on 200th start
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"Adrien Saddier Claims First European Tour Title at Italian Open"
TruthLens AI Summary
Adrien Saddier, a French golfer, celebrated a significant milestone in his career by winning his first European Tour title at the Italian Open, marking a momentous achievement in his 200th tournament start. After turning professional in 2013 and securing his European Tour card in 2014, Saddier's journey has been characterized by persistence and dedication. During the final round at the Argentario Golf Club, he found himself three strokes behind compatriot Martin Couvra at the turn. However, Saddier made a remarkable comeback on the back nine, where he executed an impressive five birdies over seven holes. His final round score of four-under 66 culminated in a total of 14 under for the tournament, allowing him to secure a two-stroke victory over Couvra, who finished with a 69 and took second place.
The emotional weight of this victory was palpable for Saddier, who expressed his gratitude and relief after years of hard work. He remarked on how important it was for him to maintain focus during the final stretch of the game, emphasizing the mental discipline required to succeed at such high levels of competition. The victory not only marks the realization of his long-held dream but also secures him and Couvra spots in the upcoming Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. This achievement underscores Saddier's resilience and potential for future successes on the European Tour, as he joins a growing list of competitors who have made their mark in the sport through dedication and skill.
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