Following two events in a week on the European Tour, there were no shortage of major takeaways. The future looks bright, with two winners below the age of 28 and other rising stars on display in both the Australian PGA Championship and AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open. As the winter break draws nearer, check out the key talking points from another dramatic week on tour.
1) The real deal
New season, same Dylan Frittelli. After finishing the 2017 season with a couple of standout results at the Nedbank Golf Challenge and DP World Tour Championship, the 2016 Challenge Tour graduate has continued to look every inch South Africa’s latest star. A win at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open is Frittelli’s second in six months, following his maiden victory at the Lyoness Open powered by Organic. He did it the hard way, beating the experienced Arjun Atwal in a play-off, and showed character needed to prosper at the highest level.
If his runner-up finish to Justin Rose in the Turkish Airlines Open and top four in Dubai last month weren’t enough proof, the 2017 Graduate of the Year’s latest statement of intent makes him one to keep a very close eye on in 2018.
2) Australia's finest
With a large home contingent, some of them eager to secure the biggest victories of their careers, last week was an opportunity to admire both the current and up-and-coming stars of the Australian game. The takeaway? Very exciting indeed. Cameron Smith, already a winner in the United States, took the title from 25 year old Jordan Zunic in a play-off. Both men impressed on the weekend, with Zunic’s clutch putting display on Saturday helping him to a joint-course record of 64.
While Curtis Luck, another exciting talent, earned a top 11 finish in Queensland, the more established Marc Leishman showed his qualities to share the lead heading into the weekend. It might not have been the week for Adam Scott, with the 2013 Masters Champion missing the cut, but there were plenty of signs that there is the potential coming out of Australia to match the 37 year old’s achievements.
3) Staking a claim
With The 2018 Ryder Cup on the distant horizon, you could forgive any Frenchman out on tour for dreaming of pulling on European colours at Le Golf National. Alex Levy and Victor Dubuisson certainly have the pedigree and, in Dubuisson’s case, experience of a Ryder Cup, but some of France’s younger players might just stake a claim in 2018.
Both Romain Langasque and Matthieu Pavon may be outside bets right now, but both finished in the top five in Mauritius to keep their names on Captain Thomas Bjørn’s radar heading into Christmas. Pavon was seriously impressive in the final three Rolex Series events of last season, securing top 20s in all three and could conceivably be a genuine French hope if he can continue in the same vein. It’s early days, but there’s no time like the present to throw your name into the ring.
4) A warm welcome back
After successfully enduring six pressure-filled rounds at Q-School, both Laurie Canter and Jeff Winther could be forgiven for taking it easy for the remainder of the calendar year. The duo were among 33 men to either reclaim or earn their first tour card in Spain last month and started the new season as they hope to go on in Mauritius.
Both finished in the top 16 at Heritage Golf Club to get some early Race to Dubai points on the board. The season guarantees ups and downs for those hoping to retain their cards, but for Canter and Winther it is at least a warm return to life on tour.
5) A season to remember
When Sergio Garcia attends the Champions Dinner at Augusta National long after his playing days are over, you can be sure he’ll be regaling his audience with stories of 2017. The standout year of the Spaniard’s career came to a conclusion in Queensland on Sunday, taking a share of 24th in a week that was more about enjoyment than trophy hunting.
The defending Masters Champion, who also won the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and Andalucía Valderrama Masters this year, conceded he was feeling the effects of a long season. However, it didn’t stop him from sitting just one off the top after 18 holes, thanks to a flawless 67. Any hope he had of becoming the fifth man to win four times in a calendar year were tempered with three rounds in the 70s, but amidst the enchanting wildlife and gorgeous Australian weather, Garcia accepted it with a smile. After all, 2017 was truly a vintage year.
