Former Ryder Cup Star Storms Back Into Pro Golf, Then Rejects Paycheck

Newsweek

a day ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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After nearly two years without playing any professional tournaments, Victor Dubuisson is back in the golf world. The Frenchman played the Alps Tour's Biarritz Cup by C&S Partners and looked as if he had never hung up his clubs.
Dubuisson carded rounds of 62, 65, and 61 at the Golf de Biarritz Le Phare on the French Atlantic coast to tie Spaniard Jorge Maicas at 19-under. The Frenchman then defeated the Spaniard in a two-hole playoff.
However, just as unexpected as his victory, or even more so, was his refusal to accept the €7,600 ($8,800) allotted to the winner. According to the Alps Tour's official website, Dubuisson cited "personal principles" related to having played with a sponsor exemption, and the winner's check went to Maicas.
In professional golf, it's completely normal for players participating in tournaments with sponsor exemptions to receive the corresponding amount based on their results. Winning isn't that common, but it does happen, and they claim their earned prize.
Victor Dubuisson France plays his tee shot from the 3rd hole on Day Two of the Ras Al Khaimah Championship at Al Hamra Golf Club on February 03, 2023 in Ras al Khaimah, United Arab...
Victor Dubuisson France plays his tee shot from the 3rd hole on Day Two of the Ras Al Khaimah Championship at Al Hamra Golf Club on February 03, 2023 in Ras al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. MoreHowever, it seems Dubuisson made the weekend entirely about the event's sponsors, with whom he evidently has good relationships.
"I'm very happy, and especially pleased for Gerald (Bouhourd, co-founder and president of C&S Partners). He's the title sponsor of the tournament and the one who invited me to play this week," Dubuisson said after his win, according to the Alps Tour official website. "We met through golf and developed a strong friendship. I admire how he supports young golfers and professionals—that's created a special bond between us."
"I'm also proud to coach some of his players, and this week, the plan was for him to caddie for me so we could experience the tournament together. It definitely turned out to be a great week. You couldn't ask for a better sponsor than Gerald or a more professionally organized tournament than this edition of the Biarritz Cup. It was a real pleasure to be part of it."
Dubuisson played on the DP World Tour from 2010 to 2023, when he put his career on hold. His peak period came between 2013 and 2015, when he won two tournaments, finished second four times, and added 12 other top-10 finishes.
These results led to his direct qualification for the European team for the 2014 Ryder Cup in Gleneagles, Scotland. There, Dubuisson contributed 2.5 points in four matches to the European victory.
His earnings on the European Tour total €10 million ($11.5 million). An additional $1.06 million earned in 26 PGA Tour tournaments should be added.
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