Adrien Saddier fired a final-round 66 to win the Italian Open by two shots on Sunday, securing his first DP World Tour title in his 200th start.
The Frenchman finished on 14-under-par 270 at Argentario Golf Club to edge compatriot Martin Couvra and book his spot at The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush.
Saddier started the day one behind but dropped to three back at the turn after a birdie at the 2nd was undone by bogeys at the 4th and 8th.
He responded with a blistering back nine, carding birdies at the 10th, 11th, 13th, 14th and 16th to seize control.
The 33-year-old held a three-shot lead after the 16th and safely parred the final two holes to clinch the win.
Couvra signed for a 69 to finish on 12 under, while Scotland’s Calum Hill and England’s Dan Bradbury shared third on 10 under.
South Africa’s Jayden Schaper shared 10th position on seven under after carding 69.
Saddier, who had struggled with illness earlier in the European Swing, said earlier in the week that he was “back in full form” – and proved it with a composed closing round.
He made a four-foot birdie at the 2nd to stay in touch, but bogeys at the 4th and par-three 8th left him needing something special.
He sank a 13-foot birdie at the 10th, then drained an 18-footer at the 11th. A six-foot par save at the 12th kept up the momentum, before a 22-foot birdie at the 13th dropped after hanging on the edge of the hole.
That gave him a share of the lead on 12 under, and a pinpoint approach to two feet at the short par-four 14th set up another birdie and the outright lead.
The decisive moment came at the 16th, where Saddier made a seven-foot birdie and Couvra dropped a shot – a two-stroke swing that gave Saddier a three-shot cushion.
“It’s great. It’s taken so much work to be able to do this. I’m just grateful,” said Saddier. “I started the back nine really good and I just said, ‘Stay in your own zone, keep focused, make the putts.’ And I did it.
“Starting with the beginning, I have to thank my dad – because he took the decision to bring me to golf when I was three. I have to thank my mum, who let me play golf. And of course my wife. It’s great.”
On qualifying for The Open, he added: “I’ll have to cancel my flight to the US for the Barracuda Championship! But yeah, it’s great, it will be a nice event. And I’m sure my parents and maybe my wife will come, so it’ll be nice.”
– Edited article from DP World Tour website
Photo: Luke Walker/Getty Images
