After an enthralling and dramatic finish, it was Gregory Bourdy who claimed the ISPS Handa Wales Open after closing with three consecutive birdies. It is the Frenchman’s fourth victory on the European Tour, with overnight leader Peter Uihlein finishing two shots behind at the Celtic Manor Resort.
Continuing the trend of the week, blustery conditions made scoring difficult, with just 15 rounds posted in the 60s. One of those came from Denmark’s Soren Kjeldson, who compiled a brilliant scorecard, before having to settle for a round of 66, after conspiring to drop a shot on the final hole. That left the popular Dane on 5-under, which set a target for the groups still on the course.
At that point Bourdy held a two-shot lead, having played his first 11 holes in 3-under for the day. However, it was at this point that he would wobble, with dropped shots coming at the 13th and 14th. The driveable par four 15th provided him with an opportunity for redemption, but he failed to make three on the hole which is generally considered the last genuine birdie opportunity on the Twenty Ten course.
But it was at this point that Bourdy would pull a masterstroke of genius, as he holed a 50-foot putt on the 16th for birdie, before making another on the 17th. After hitting his tee shot on the 18th, he found himself tied with Uihlein, who had made birdies of his own at the 15th and 17th.
After finding the par five 18th green in three shots, Bourdy was left with a 30-foot putt for birdie, with the powerful American in the rough off the tee in the group behind. Somehow, dramatically, Bourdy found another touch of magic as he drained another long putt for birdie, which claimed the title with Uilhein ultimately making a closing bogey.
The 31-year-old finished with a final round of 67, and an 8-under total of 276. With the year-long Ryder Cup qualification process for Europe getting underway this week, Bourdy ascends to the top of the Points List at this very early stage.
“It was an amazing round,” he reflected. “I made an amazing finish with three birdies in a row and I am so happy.”
When asked about his stunning finish, Bourdy, who moves up to 19th on the Race to Dubai money list, revelled with delight when reflecting upon his victory on a course that has seen much history in recent years.
“I will remember the finish on this great course for a long time. A lot of great moments have been here; I was thinking about the Ryder Cup on the 18th so I am so proud to win this trophy.”
It takes more than one man to create an exciting finish, and credit goes to Peter Uihlein for that. The talented American, who has already one win to his name this season, led after three rounds, before coming up just that little bit short today.
There will naturally be disappointment for the 23-year-old, but his career continues to look promising as this runner-up finish takes him up to 26th on the Race to Dubai.
With the Ryder Cup very much under the radar this week, European captain Paul McGinley completed his best performance of the season with a final round of 67 to finish in a tie for eighth. It was also a profitable week for his compatriot, Damien McGrane, who finished in a tie for sixth. The €67,989 that comes with that will ensure the Irishman’s place on the European Tour in 2014.
In the end, after a finish of the utmost drama, it is Gregory Bourdy who claimed victory in the valleys of south east Wales.