The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open concluded a run of four co-sanctioned events between the DP World Tour and the Sunshine Tour. Here is what you might have missed from the final event of the calendar year.
Rozner records resounding victory in Mauritius
Antoine Rozner stormed to his third DP World Tour title in as many years as he claimed a five-shot victory at the year-ending AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open. The Frenchman entered the final round at Mont Choisy Le Golf with a two-shot lead but stretched that advantage to five strokes at the turn. A birdie at the last saw him sign for a five-under-par 67 to finish at 19 under. Rozner almost won his maiden Tour title in this event when it was last held three years ago but suffered a play-off defeat to Rasmus Højgaard at Heritage Golf Club. Victory sees the 29-year-old rise to fourth in the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex and to 12th on the European Ryder Cup Points List. "Unbelievable,” said an emotional Rozner whose previous Tour wins came in Dubai and Qatar. “It's a tough game. We practise so hard all year long and a win is a win and I'm so glad I got this done. It's so hard to win so I'm just so happy.”
Garcia-Heredia lands best-ever finish on Tour
Spaniard Alfredo Garcia-Heredia finished solo second – his best-ever finish on the DP World Tour –after posting a blemish-free 67 on his 41st birthday to end the week at 14 under, with Rozner’s countryman Julien Brun two shots further back in third. After moving into a halfway share of the lead, Garcia-Heredia spoke of how being able to go fishing this week was helping him relax. Despite losing ground with a one-over 73 on Saturday, he climbed from a share of sixth place after the third round to runner-up, thanks to birdies on three of his first five holes on Sunday. His result helps him make a sizeable jump from 75th to seventh on this season’s Race to Dubai Rankings.
Pineau’s near ace on a par four
There was plenty to celebrate for the French contingent in Mauritius over the four days. One player to impress was Pierre Pineau, who held the early clubhouse lead on Thursday morning after a 65. On Sunday afternoon, the 23-year-old nearly made an improbable hole-in-one as he set up a stress-free eagle with a fine long iron into the par-four 13th green.
Välimäki sets course record with fast start to the week
Sami Välimäki held a two-shot lead after setting a course record of 62 in the opening round on Thursday. The Finn made five birdies on both the front and back nines to tame Mont Choisy as it made its international tournament debut on the DP World Tour and Sunshine Tour schedules. The 2020 Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Yearwas unable to match those heights over the subsequent three days, however, finishing ten shots adrift of the winner in a share of 11th place.
Bjørn shows his touch from the water
Thomas Bjørn arrived at the final DP World Tour event of the calendar year on the back of winning on the Legends Tour in Mauritius. The 2018 Ryder Cup-winning Captain rolled back the years as he produced a stunning up and down at the par-three 15th on day one. After his tee-shot trickled into the water beside the green, Bjørn splashed out to within three feet and rolled in the par putt for a remarkable save.
