The Road to Mallorca heads to France for the first of back-to-back events in the country, with the Blot Open de Bretagne taking place at Golf Blue Green de Pléneuf Val André this week. Here’s everything you need to know…
Past winners
The Blot Open de Bretagne has had many notable winners on the Challenge Tour through the years. England’s Eddie Pepperell announced his arrival as a potential star of the future at Golf Blue Green de Pléneuf Val André in 2012 after he defeated Denmark’s Jeppe Huldahl on the first play-off hole to secure his maiden professional victory. Pepperell went on to earn promotion to the DP World Tour in 2012 and has since secured two victories on the top tier, including the 2018 British Masters.
In 2013 Italy’s Andrea Pavan triumphed in Brittany for his second win of the year ahead of topping the season-long Rankings, followed by Benjamin Hebert’s victory on home soil in 2014.
In 2018 Jack Singh Brar secured his maiden Challenge Tour victory with a final round of 67. The Englishman posted rounds of 69-65-64-67 to win by three shots from Spaniard Adri Arnaus. A year later Sebastian Heisele claimed his first Challenge Tour title in style, producing a closing 65 to win in Brittany.
Frenchman Julien Brun ended a near nine-year wait for his second Challenge Tour victory as he triumphed on home soil in 2021. He carded a one under par final round of 69 to finish two strokes ahead of compatriot Jérôme Lando-Casanova and American Chase Hanna. His victory came nine years after the 2012 Allianz Golf Open Toulouse Metropole, which he won as an amateur.
England’s Alfie Plant secured his second Challenge Tour victory in France in 2022, while Welshman Stuart Manley claimed a fourth title last year on his way to earning a DP World Tour card after finishing 21st on the Road to Mallorca Rankings.
Stunning venue
Golf Bluegreen Pléneuf Val André is widely regarded as one the best and most scenic courses in Brittany, which offers breath-taking views along the coastline. The course is set upon the cliffs and has a links-like style to it with deep rough lining the wide fairways. The Open de Bretagne has been part of the Challenge Tour schedule since 2007 and Golf Bluegreen Pléneuf Val André has consistently provided a formidable test for the players, especially when high coastal winds are present.
Signature hole
Golf Blue Green de Pléneuf Val André’s signature hole is the jaw-dropping par five 11th. The hole measures 523 yards from the back tee, which is positioned on an overhanging cliff edge and offers sensational sea views. The wide fairway encourages a positive tee shot parallel to the English Channel, however players must be wary of over shaping the ball towards the beach, especially when the wind is whipping across the channel. A good tee shot will give the players an opportunity to attack the well defended green in two.
