Frenchman François Calmels hopes to carry some resurgent form into this week’s Najeti Open Presented by Neuflize OBC after signing off in style at last week’s KPMG Trophy in Belgium.
The 33 year old closed out a steady week with a superb six under par 66 to take a share of eighth place, and is delighted to see an upturn in his game – and in particular his ball-striking – after a relatively sluggish start to the campaign.
“The last round in Belgium was a big boost to my confidence,” said. “I’ve not been playing great since the start of the season. I’ve been mostly making the cut but always finishing around 20th to 40th place, so not great.
“On the Challenge Tour, you need to have plenty of top five and top ten finishes to do anything in the Rankings.
“So last week was good to finish in the top ten because I started the day tied 29th. I hit the ball a lot better, which is good news because at Saint-Omer you have to hit it well. And I’ve been putting well, so hopefully that stays the same too.”
Calmels finished second in 2007 at the hilly, 6537-yard, par-71 Aa Saint-Omer Golf Club, and says it is a layout that has always suited him.
“I’ve played there many times and I’ve had a few really good results and one great one, eight years ago,” he continued. “I like it a lot because it’s always tricky. You have to battle all week and there’s no low scoring.
“I hate tournaments where you have to shoot 20 or 25 under to win. You know in Saint Omer that if you manage to shoot one under every day you will most likely be in the top five.
“I prefer to play like this than starting the round knowing you have to shoot six under or something to be in contention. It’s a nice place and it’s in France which is great.
“I drove back home to Paris from Belgium on Sunday night and then on to Saint-Omer the following day. Playing tournaments where you can travel by car is such a nice change after spending so many hours in airports and on planes.
“It changes your whole mood when you can just throw everything in the car.”
Defending champion Jordi Garcia Pinto is also in the field to contest the €200,000 prize fund, as are Race to Oman Rankings leader Nacho Elvira, Irishman Ruaidhri McGee, who was joint third in Belgium, and Daniel Im, the winner in Switzerland two weeks ago.
Scotland’s Jamie McLeary will be bidding to secure back-to-back victories after his win in the KPMG Trophy, where he closed with a round of 67 to take the title by one shot from Dutchman Taco Remkes.
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