Thomas Linard is hoping his first defence of a Challenge Tour title is a successful one when he returns to Golf & Spa Kunetická Hora for the fourth edition of the D+D Real Czech Challenge.
Linard became the second Frenchman to take the title when he succeeded his compatriot François Calmels as champion 12 months ago.
The Parisian started the final day in the town of Drítec in a share of fifth place, but blitzed through the field with eight birdies in his first 13 holes.
A first wobble of the day came at the 15th hole, but he consolidated his lead with a birdie at the next and closed with two pars to sign for a closing round of 64 to secure his debut Challenge Tour title by two strokes.
The 27 year old recalled: “I loved the course the first time I played it. Every hole is different, so it’s a really interesting challenge. I also love the people in the Czech Republic. They’re so nice and friendly, so I’m really looking forward to going back to defend my title. I obviously have very good memories of my win last year, especially the last day because it was probably the best golf I have ever played.
“I didn’t play very well after my win, but I made a few changes at the start of the year and I can see signs that they are starting to work. I can’t tell you what the changes were because they’re a secret, but when I get used to them I feel confident that I can get onto The European Tour because I believe my game is good enough.”
Having taken a break from competitive action last week, England’s Max Orrin returns to Challenge Tour duty looking to build on his triumph in the Made in Denmark Challenge.
He will be joined in the Czech Republic by in-form Spaniard Nacho Elvira, who claimed his second Challenge Tour title in the space of a month in last week’s Kärnten Golf Open presented by Mazda.
Elvira backed up his victory in Madrid last month with another sparkling performance in Austria to surge to the top of the Road to Oman Rankings, and a third victory this week would secure an instant return to The European Tour.
Having been deposed at the top of the Rankings by Elvira after missing the cut last week, South African Haydn Porteous will be keen to recapture the form which earned him a maiden professional title in the season-opening Barclays Kenya Open.
England’s Daniel Gaunt will seek to go one better this week after his runner-up finish behind Linard last year, whilst his fellow Englishman Ross McGowan will also have fond memories of Golf & Spa Kunetická Hora having finished third 12 months ago.
Golf & Spa Kunetická Hora, which was designed by Australian Graham Marsh and opened in 2007, has hosted the €170,000 tournament every year since the inaugural edition in 2012, which was won by Andreas Hartø.
