On the fifth anniversary of the D+D REAL Czech Challenge, we look back through the history books of this great event and pick the best moments...
Hartø gold
Andreas Hartø had the honour of being the first name on the D+D REAL Czech Challenge trophy in 2012 when the Dane won his third Challenge Tour title at Kunetická Hora Golf Club, but it was the way in which he won it which made it so special.
His compatriot Joachim B Hansen had drawn level with Hartø just after the turn, piling the pressure on the Copenhagen player who was leading by a shot going into the final round.
Hartø, however, pulled some magic out of the hat as he embarked on an incredible run of four birdies in the last four holes to seal a three shot victory, including a remarkable 50 foot putt at the 17th to the delight of the home crowds.
A moment to savour and a fitting way to start on the Challenge Tour for the D+D REAL Czech Challenge…
Brooks was here
Brooks Koepka is now a firm fixture in the top 20 of the Official World Golf Ranking and his name still hangs from the wall at Kunetická Hora having made a big impression here in 2013.
The gifted American could not manage victory but he set the course record on the final day three years ago with a scorching ten under par 62 which included two eagles to finish in a share of seventh place, six shots behind winner Franҫois Calmels.
Koepka went on to graduate from the Challenge Tour later that year thanks to a third victory of the season at the SSE Scottish Hydro Challenge hosted by Macdonald Hotels and Resorts, and has since become one of the brightest young prospects in the game.
A player the D+D REAL Czech Challenge is understandably proud to have in their own history books…
Calmels back
While Koepka carded the best round of that final day in 2013, it was Calmels who stole the show with a quite frankly ridiculous back nine which did not feature a single par.
After picking up a shot at the ninth, the Parisian proceeded to extend his run of successive birdies to six holes and storm into the lead. Two bogeys and two birdies in the final four holes were enough to hand him a second title of the season and the third of his career.
Calmels inevitably graduated to the European Tour later in the year and he returns to Kunetická Hora this week hoping to rekindle that winning form…
Luminous Linard
Thomas Linard became the second Frenchman in as many years to win the D+D REAL Czech Challenge when in 2014 he soared to victory courtesy of a stunning final round 64.
Having started the final day two shots off the pace, Linard catapulted himself into contention with a flying early start, carding six birdies on the front nine before a two under par back nine earned him an eight under par round and a two shot victory over Daniel Gaunt of Australia.
While that win was not enough to earn the Paris-based player graduation, he would do enough in the 2015 season – without winning, incidentally – to earn his card for the European Tour’s 2016 season.
The Czech Challenge remains his sole win in the top two tiers of European golf, and what a win it was…
Jens brings it home
Jens Fahrbring, upon winning this coveted title last year, said, “this probably feels more special than my first victory” - because of the intensity of the final round battle with former European Tour winner Ross McGowan.
It was another dramatic finish to the Czech Republic’s only Challenge Tour event as the lead exchanged hands like a hot potato on the final day.
Nico Geyger of Chile was the third round leader but Fahrbring drew level as early as the fourth hole thanks to a 40-foot birdie putt before a three under back nine moved him into pole position.
McGowan made a surge, however, reaching six under for the day by the 14th hole and needing a birdie at the last to force a play-off. His putt horseshoed out though and it was the Swede who took home the title.
Another thrilling finish to a tournament which has in five years built a great history. Here’s to many more to come…
