Amateur Martin Couvra is aiming for the top of golf’s world stage following a stellar amateur career as he tees it up on home soil at the Blot Open de Bretagne this week.
The 20-year-old made history at the beginning of year, becoming the first player to win the South African Stroke Play Championship, the Proudfoot Trophy (36-hole stroke play qualifying) and the South African Amateur Championship.
Couvra took his success onto the European Challenge Tour, making four cuts from four events this season, and was part of the chasing pack at the Andalucía Challenge de Cádiz where he played in the final group.
“I’ve played a few events in the last couple of months on the Challenge Tour. I played in Abu Dhabi, one in Belgium and one in Spain. I played very well and made four cuts,” he said. “They were four very nice tournaments, and I claimed a few points as well, which was very nice.
“To be able to play several big amateur tournaments and some Challenge Tour events is perfect. I have to thank the French Federation for helping me and giving me my invites this year.”
The French youngster is teeing it up on home soil at Golf Bluegreen de Pléneuf Val André for the first time. The Blot Open de Bretagne is one of three French events on the Road to Mallorca and Couvra is one of 40 Frenchman hoping to lift the trophy in front of the home crowd.
A victory this week would go a long way for the former St Andrews Trophy player as he targets turning professional at the end of the year before aiming for golfing glory later in his career.
“I plan to play some amateur events with the French team, like the European Team Championship – The Eisenhower Trophy – and after that I aim to get a few points on the Challenge Tour, so that I can have a card, and then to play DP World Tour Qualifying School and turn pro at the end of the year,” he said.
“It’s important for me to play on the Challenge Tour because I’d like to know if I’m a great player at amateur level or a great player in professional events on the Alps Tour, Challenge Tour and DP World Tour, so I can work out where my game is within world golf.
“For me the aim is to win the Olympic Games, the Masters and the Ryder Cup.”
