Jean-Francois Remesy holds on to win the inaugural Farmfoods European Legends Links Championship
Jean-François Remésy claimed his first win on English soil at the inaugural Farmfoods European Legends Links Championship hosted by Ian Woosnam OBE after a scintillating final round at Trevose Golf & Country Club.
The Frenchman, who won three-times on the European Tour, fired a closing round of 67, five under par, to take a one shot victory ahead of England’s Barry Lane.
The 2018 Swiss Seniors Open Champion started the day in a share of first place with Sweden’s Jarmo Sandelin, one ahead of Lane, and the lead quickly swung back-and-forth between the three players who, despite tough conditions at the Cornish venue, traded birdies over the opening nine holes.
An eagle-birdie run from the 10th hole provided Remésy with the momentum he needed to re-take the lead and despite a late birdie charge from Lane, a sensational up-and-down for par on the 17th hole and a closing par was enough to secure the two-time French Open champion a much-sought after victory.
‘’It was my dream to win in England. After forty years I finally managed to do it,’’ said an emotional Remésy. ‘’It’s never too late to achieve a dream. I’m just past 55 years old and here we are, so I’m very delighted with this moment.
‘’We had a very good fight, but I think the key for me was to hole my putts, especially the long putt I managed to drain for eagle on the 10th and then for birdie on the 11th.
‘’It was tough out there with Barry making a late charge and with the conditions, but we really enjoyed the fight. It was a very high-level game and I just tried to play my game and keep playing steady.
‘’Emotionally I was much stronger than in Italy, where I finished one shot behind, so that is a good sign for the future and I am just delighted that I was able to stay strong and secure the win this week.”
With the win, Remésy moves up to fourth from 15th on the Staysure Tour Order of Merit and will travel to Indiana for the U.S. Senior Open Championship where he will bid to win his first senior Major title.
Lane’s second place finish ensures he jumps ahead of Argentina’s José Cóceres into pole position in the Staysure Tour Rankings.
England’s Gary Evans carded a blemish-free round of 67, five under par, to charge up the leaderboard and take solo third, one shot ahead of Sandelin, who carded a 71 after a triple bogey seven on the 17th.
Markus Brier had the round of the day shooting an incredible 64 which included eight birdies and a hole in one on the 8th hole. He was presented with a magnum of Moet & Chandon from tournament promoter CEO John Hayes.
Remésy’s victory concludes what has been a memorable week at Trevose for the inaugural Farmfoods European Legends Links Championship hosted by Ian Woosnam. The Welshmen and his playing partner Farmfoods’ CEO Eric Herd won the two day Alliance competition with a total score of -16.
The dates for next year’s tournament have already been announced. The event will return on the 16-19 June 2022 at Trevose Golf and Country Club which will start with a pre-tournament Pro-Am team event on the 18th June before the start of the tournament on the 19th. Playing places will be available to purchase for both the Pro-Am team event and the Alliance which sees amateurs have the chance to play alongside the professionals for the first two days of the tournament.
For further information about playing in the event, becoming a sponsor or any other information please contact Benoit Lawrence at tournament promoter Champions (UK) plc on 08453 313 031 or email blawrence@championsukplc.com
