Paolini an American dreaming of repeat French success

Brinson Paolini returns to the scene of his best professional performance targeting a repeat success as memories of his 2013 Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge victory fuel his game this week.

Three years ago, the American began the final day five shots behind compatriot Sihwan Kim, but a fourth straight round in the 60s, with just a solitary bogey, gave Paolini the title in just his third Challenge Tour event.

Now 25 years old, the Virginia-native is relishing his return to Golf PGA France du Vaudreuil, with fond reminders of July 2013 surrounding him.

“I definitely have good memories,” he said. “It was my first professional victory and I have really good vibes coming back – I played a practice round and it’s pretty cool to remember ‘oh, I hit it here, I got it up and down from here, I made this putt,’ so it’s good to be back.

“I hope it can be an advantage to me this week – anytime you come back to somewhere you’ve had success at it definitely helps. Last year I had a good week as well so hopefully I can draw on those memories and get in contention.

“I remember it like it was yesterday. I remember coming up 17 and I didn’t look at any leaderboards all day, but my caddie said, ‘you need to look.’ So before I played 18 I saw I needed at worst a four but probably a three.

“I ended up making a four and went over to the chipping green to wait for them to finish, then he came running over saying, ‘you’ve won, you’ve won!’ I couldn’t believe it, it was an amazing feeling, and one hopefully I’ll have again soon.”

Paolini’s best finish this season came in Saint-Omer with an eighth place finish at the Najeti Open, and he is hopeful being back on French soil can inspire a return to the form that earned him a European Tour card for the 2014 season

“My form feels good,” he said. “I haven’t played a whole lot, just seven events so far, but I feel close to a great week again – it would sure be nice if it happens this week, but if not hopefully it will be sometime soon.

“Here it’s so important to get yourself in position on the greens – they’re small and sloped and this week they’re soft, so controlling your spin and giving yourself opportunities is going to be key.

“You need to make putts if you’re going to contend. A few years ago I made a lot of putts and I’m hoping that this week I can do the same again.”