Nathan Kimsey won his first European Challenge Tour title after defeating Robin Sciot-Siegrist on the fourth extra hole at the Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge.
The Englishman held a one-stroke lead ahead of the final round but a closing one under par round of 71 was only enough to reach Sciot-Siegrist’s 14 under par target, after the Frenchman had birdied the last in the penultimate group at Golf PGA France du Vaudreuil.
The duo could not be split during the three extra trips down the par three tenth, before Kimsey birdied the 11th – the fourth play-off hole – to secure a maiden title as Sciot-Siegrist saw his attempt slide by.
“It’s amazing, I’m struggling for words right now. I’m over the moon,” he said.
“I was dealing with the nerves alright but coming down the last few holes and trying to get it done in real time was tough but weirdly I felt more comfortable in the play-off. Going back to amateur golf, I always loved match play so settling down into that do or die scenario was helpful.
“It’s fantastic to get the win. I feel like I’ve spoilt the party a little bit because Robin is from a place not far from here so they were all rooting for him but the fans have been great. They were fantastic for both of us, clapping and cheering every shot on, so it’s been great to play in front of.
“I’ve had a decent last six or eight weeks, going ok on the Rankings, and this shoots me up there into a position where top 20 at the end of the year is a real realistic goal now. Hopefully I can push on and pick up some more points during the rest of the year.”
Despite falling short in his quest for a first Challenge Tour title, there is reason for Sciot-Siegrist to celebrate as he booked a spot in the Cazoo Open de France later this year as the leading Frenchman through the Blot Open de Bretagne and the Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge.
Frenchman Mathieu Decottignies-Lafon posted an eight under par 64, his lowest Challenge Tour round, to share third place with countryman Clément Sordet and Sweden’s Mikael Lundberg on 12 under par.
Kimsey’s victory sees him climb 33 places on the Road to Mallorca Rankings to seventh, while Denmark’s Oliver Hundebøll, who finished in a tie for 40th in France, earned enough points to move one place to top spot on the Rankings.
The Road to Mallorca now travels to Austria for the Euram Bank Open from July 14-17, 2022.
