Another French golf star is on the horizon at the ALLIANZ Open de Lyon as 17 year old amateur Romain Langasque entered the weekend’s play just four shots off the lead and in with a shot of following compatriot Julien Brun into the history books.
Brun stunned the field at the ALLIANZ Golf Open Toulouse Metropole just two weeks ago as the 20 year old claimed the title at Golf de Toulouse-Seilh, becoming just the sixth amateur to win on the European Challenge Tour.
This week, another young Frenchman is proving his mettle on the professional circuit in his Challenge Tour debut, following up his four under par opening round of 67 with a two under par second round of 69.
Languasque enters the final two days just four shots off Sam Hutsby’s lead and admitted that he was a little apprehensive prior to the tournament but is delighted with how he has coped.
“At the start, I thought it would be difficult to play in a professional event because I am an amateur,” said the Paris native, a French amateur Boys international.
“But I just wanted to do the same as what I do as an amateur and I didn’t find it too difficult after all. I started with 15 pars today so that helped me to settle and stay in the tournament for the weekend and then having two birdies was a nice way to finish.”
Whatever happens this weekend, Langasque is keeping his feet firmly on the ground and wants to study in the USA before turning professional and, hopefully, following in the footsteps of the likes of Romain Wattel and Victor Dubuisson.
“I hope to turn professional within two years,” he said. “I want to go to University in America first, where I can also concentrate on my game, and then turn pro.
“This has already been a great experience to know what it’s like to play at a big tournament like this. It’s good for me to know what level I need to play to compete as a professional and how much work I need to do in the next two years to get to this level.
“I have had a few very good role-models with many French players making that step up and I hope to follow them in the future.”
Baptiste Chapellan was the leading Frenchman after the second day’s play as the 25 year old’s three under par round of 68 left him on eight under par, two shots off the lead, while local interest will have been boosted by Gary Stal’s four under par second round of 67, which moved him to within four of the leader.
