Sweden’s Fredrik Andersson won Le Touquet Challenge de France when he edged out Carlos Rodiles of Spain at the second extra hole of a playoff. The pair had finished tied on 11-under-par 277, Andersson after a 70 to Rodiles 71.
Both had par-fives at the first extra hole, the 480 metres first, but at the 208 metres second, Rodiles missed the green with his drive, then hit a flop shot over a bunker to four metres but saw his right-to-left putt roll past the hole.
Andersson also drove with a three-wood and found the green some seven metres from the flag and two-putted for victory.
“I’m overwhelmed,” he said. “It’s my first win in seven years but I always felt I could do it even though Carlos and I swapped the lead several times.
“My main objective this week was to stay in the top 80 on the rankings so that I could get a good category for next year. Now I am going to Cuba for the Grand Final and I could even get my card. At least I don’t have to pre-qualify for the Tour School.”
While Andersson celebrated, Rodiles was left to ponder his fourth playoff defeat. “I’ve have two on the Challenge Tour and two in Spain,” he said.
“I had the chance to win the playoff at the first extra hole but my putt rimmed out. But I think the key hole of the round was the short 15th when I three-putted from four metres for bogey and Fredrik holed from seven metres for par.
“I’m disappointed but I’m playing well and perhaps when I get into my next playoff I’ll win.”
Andersson’s prize of 19,817 euro hoisted him from 79th to 22nd on the rankings but Ireland’s David Higgins, who finished joint third with Tobias Dier of Germany one shot outside the playoff, missed his chance to leapfrog over the absent Henrik Stenson at the top of the rankings.
Higgins needed to finish no worse than second but a closing 70 meant he collected 6,696 euro and is still 3,000 euro behind his rival with just the Grand Final to come.
Dier made a determined bid to land the win but his 67, which included an eagle and a birdie in the last two holes, also came up short.
The best round of the day came from Australian Peter Fowler, who carved his way through the field with a course record-equalling 65 with seven birdies. It pulled him up from five over to two under and joint 11th spot.
