The Road to Mallorca returns this week for the Hopps Open de Provence at Golf International de Pont Royal in France. Here’s everything you need to know…
Seve’s influence
Designed by the great Severiano Ballesteros, the course at Golf International de Pont Royal was named France’s Best Golf Course in 2021 and 2022. The layout has become ever present in the Road to Mallorca schedule and will this week host its fifth Hopps Open de Provence. The Ballesteros course is a challenge to players of all levels with two signature holes that could be the key this week. The par four seventh hole is a classic risk-reward hole with the bigger hitters able to cross the ravine and cut the corner of the dog leg. The impressive par three 11th hole has stunning views across the Alpilles, as well as plenty of hazards. There’s also the signature Seve ‘S’ bunker on the ninth hole to look out for.
Three to go…
With three events of the 2023 Road to Mallorca to go, it’s crunch time on the European Challenge Tour. The Hopps Open de Provence signifies the last week with a full 156-strong field. Following the conclusion of four days in France, the leading 72 players on the Rankings will tee it up in the Hainan Open next week, providing a final opportunity for players to book a place at the Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final supported by the R&A. From there, the top 45 in the Rankings will get one last chance at Club de Golf Alcanada in Mallorca to climb into the top 20 and secure promotion to the DP World Tour.
Hopps history
The Hopps Open de Provence has a history of grandstand finishes. In its debut season in 2018, home favourite Romain Langasque carded a final round 67 to move clear of the chasing pack and win by three strokes. One year on and it was Dutchman Lars van Meijel that came out on top, birdieing the penultimate hole to secure a narrow one stroke win. The Hopps Open de Provence returned in 2021 and it was Alfie Plant who triumphed with the Englishman birdieing the opening hole of a three-man playoff to make sure of a maiden title. Then in 2022, Swede Joel Sjöholm posted rounds of 65-67 over the weekend to fire himself to an emphatic three stroke win. In Van Meijel, Plant and Sjöholm, there will be three former winners in the field this week.
