The European Challenge Tour is back on familiar territory this week as the Hauts de France Golf Open returns to Aa Saint-Omer Golf Club in Lumbres, France. Ahead of the tournament, we take a look at the best statistics from one of the Challenge Tour’s longest-running events.
17-The number of years the Hauts de France Golf Open has been featured on the Challenge Tour International Schedule. The first event was played in 2000 and was won by France’s own Pascal Edmond.
5- The number of French competitors who have triumphed on home soil in the event — more than any other nation. Edmond’s triumph in the inaugural year was followed by another French victor, Sébastien Delagrange. In fact, the most recent winner of the Hauts de France Golf Open was also a Frenchman, Julien Guerrier.
7- The largest margin of victory in the history of the Saint-Omer event. In 2011, Matthew Zions of Australia was one of only four players who finished the tournament in red figures as he cruised to his eight under par total of 276.
115-The number of spots Guerrier jumped in the Official World Golf Ranking following his 2017 Hauts de France Golf Open victory. He moved from 366thto 251stin one week and has since continued his climb — currently positioned as the World Number 165.
4.34-The scoring average of the most difficult hole at Aa Saint-Omer GC last year. At 410 yards, the relatively short par four 16thyielded only 22 birdies through four rounds as it played a third of a stroke over par for the week.
4.55-Conversely, the par five ninth hole, which measures 509 yards, was the easiest hole of last year’s Hauts de France Golf Open. Playing almost a half shot under par, the 2017 field managed to convert an impressive 22 eagles and 218 birdies over four days on it.
271-The lowest winning total in tournament history. Sébastien Gros of France fired rounds of 68-66-67-69 to finish on 14 under par and win by six shots in 2015.
20-The lowest ever winning score in relation to par. At the second edition of the Hauts de France Golf Open, Delagrange finished on 20 under par. The total is not, however, the lowest aggregate score in tournament history as Aa Saint-Omer GC was changed from a par 72 to a par 71 following the 2001 event.
6,840-The length, in yards, of Aa Saint-Omer GC, which has hosted the Hauts de France Golf Open every year it has been played, including the 11 years it was a dual-ranking event on both the European Tour and the Challenge Tour.
11-
The number of countries that the 17 former tournament champions are from. These include France (five), Sweden (two), Australia (two), Spain (two), and one from each Austria, Argentina, Belgium, Ireland Portugal and South Africa.
