Following the limited-field Rolex Trophy, the European Challenge Tour returns to full-size for the Cordon Golf Open. To get you ready for the week, we examine the popular event from a numerical perspective.
21-the Cordon Golf Open represents the 21stevent on the Road to Ras Al Khaimah. With only eight events to go, time is running out for players to make their move into one of the coveted top 15 places.
6,468- the length, in yards, of Golf Blue Green de Pléneuf Val André, which will be the shortest course that Challenge Tour players face all season.
4- the number of Challenge Tour events held in France on the 2018 International Schedule, which is more than any other country.
230,000-the total prize fund, in euros, of the Cordon Golf Open, making it the most lucrative of the four French tournaments on the Road to Ras Al Khaimah.
3- competitive rounds were played in the 2017 edition. Heavy rain pounded Golf Blue Green de Pléneuf Val André, and the final round was cancelled due to the unplayable conditions.
7-strokes was the margin of victory for Birgir Hafthorsson, who claimed his maiden win on Europe’s top developmental tour, when the final round was eventually cancelled last year.
2- the number of medals Hafthorsson won for Iceland at this year’s European Golf Team Championships. Hafthorsson won gold in the Mixed Team event alongside Axel Boasson, Valdis Thora Jonsdottir and Olafia Kristinsdottir and then went on to claim a silver medal with Boasson after the pair advanced to the Men’s Team event finals before losing a close match to Spain.
4.49-the most difficult hole, the 437-yard par four 14th, played to an average of almost a half-stroke over par for the week in 2017.
4.29-amazingly, the 523-yard par five 11thhole played to a lower stroke average than the 14th. Yielding 38 eagles and 205 birdies over three rounds last year, it will be critical for players to make gains here throughout the week if they want to find their name on top of the leaderboard come Sunday evening.
12-the number of years the Cordon Golf Open has been contested. The inaugural tournament was held at Golf Blue Green de Pléneuf Val André in 2007 and since then, notable past-champions include Ryder Cup star Peter Baker, popular Englishman Eddie Pepperell and last week’s European Tour winner, Andrea Pavan.
