With only a handful of events left in the 2018 European Challenge Tour season, the action heads to France and Golf International de Pont Royal. Here are the key stats ahead of the Hopps Open de Provence.
1992 –the Golf International de Pont Royal opened its doors. The course was designed by golfing legend Seve Ballesteros and was opened in September 1992. Since its opening the golf club has seen several changes, including a new clubhouse at the turn of the millennium and a golf academy in 2010.
First – edition of the Hopps Open de Provence. This week’s event is making its debut on the Challenge Tour’s International Schedule.
Fourth – Challenge Tour event to take place in France this season. Europe’s top developmental tour has already witnessed the Hauts de France Golf Open, Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge and Cordon Golf Open, and now heads to Mallemort for the fourth French event of the year.
Eight – days before The 2018 Ryder Cup takes place in Paris, the Hopps Open de Provence will get under way in Mallemort, 40 miles from Marseille and the south coast of France.
2007 – Mike Lorenzo-Vera won the Masters 13 event on the Alps Tour held at Pont Royal. The Frenchman carded a final round of 65, seven under par, to claim the title by six shots.
37 – French players will compete on home soil. The highest ranked home-grown star is Victor Perez who is 28thon the Road to Ras Al Khaimah.
Nine – winners from the 2018 Challenge Tour will tee it up in Mallemort this week, including Road to Ras Al Khaimah leader Joachim B. Hansen.
Six – under par was Stuart Manley’s winning score after he beat Grant Forrest in a play-off at the Hauts de France Golf Open earlier in the year. Can the Welshman win on French soil twice in 2018?
6,920– yards is the length of the Golf International de Pont Royal the players will compete on.
39 – under par is the total score of the combined Challenge Tour players who have won on French soil this year. Manley’s six under par total at Hauts de France Golf Open, Richard McEvoy’s 18 under par at Le Vaudreuil, followed by Jack Singh Brar’s 15 under par victory at Cordon Golf Open.
