Italy’s Luca Cianchetti secured the European Amateur Championship title after a remarkable seven-hole play-off against Norway’s Viktor Hovland, at Estonian Golf & Country Club.
Both Cianchetti and Hovland finished 16 under par at Estonian Golf & Country Club, a European Tour Course and part of a network of 22 world-class venues, after 72 holes, and the Italian scored par on the seventh play-off hole as Hovland carded a bogey.
Previous winners of the European Amateur Championship include Ryder Cup stars Victor Dubuisson, Sergio Garcia, Stephen Gallacher and Rory McIlroy.
As European Amateur Champion, Cianchetti has earned exemption to The 146th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in 2017.
“This was an exceptional experience, more so because this was my first play-off on a grand stage,” said Cianchetti. “But, I think my key to victory was my playing partner who put up a brave fight until the very end.
“The course was great – challenging – and, in fact, on the first day I could only manage par. Playing in the European Championship is a very great privilege and to win is truly extraordinary.”
Hovland set the course record with his third round 63, nine under par, adding to his 67-72-69, with Cianchetti matching him for a total of 272 after four rounds.
Third placed Czech, Simon Zach, thrilled the gallery with a hole-in-one on the tenth hole, which helped him to a finish six under for the day and 14 under par for the tournament. Two Scotsmen – Robert MacIntyre and Connor Syme – took fourth and fifth place respectively.
Estonian Golf Association President Marko Kaljuveer said: “This competition was a four-day promotional event for golf and at the end the European Champion was decided in a duel. I’m so pleased that so many people came along to watch and stayed right until the end."
David MacLaren, Director of Property & Venue Development - European Tour Properties, added: “It’s wonderful to see a European Tour Properties Course hold such a prestigious event as the European Amateur Championship, particularly in an emerging golf nation such as Estonia.
“We are extremely proud of our relationship with Estonian Golf and Country Club, which has now successfully hosted a number of international amateur and professional championships”
“The venue also has exciting plans for future development and I am sure that competitors, organisers and coaches will return home with many positive memories of a special venue in a special part of the world.”
