Golf star breaks down in tears as he books The Open ticket with maiden win

Daily Record

20 hours ago

Adrien Saddier wins Italian Open and countryman Martin Couvra also off to Portrush
Teary-eyed Adrien Saddier reckons Royal Portrush will be a family affair after booking his ticket with a stylish win in the Italian Open.
The 33-year-old and compatriot Martin Couvra are both on their way to The Open after coming one-two in a final-day French shootout.
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But it was Claret Jug heartbreak for Scotland's Calum Hill and Englishman Dan Bradbury as they finished tied-third and just shy of the trophy and cherished places at the 153rd Championship in Northern Ireland.
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Saddier finally made a DP World Tour breakthrough at his 200th attempt with a blistering back-nine to card a Sunday 66 and he could not stop the tears from flowing as the enormity of his success sank in.
The French star paid tribute to his loved ones after getting the job done as he broke down and said: 'It's great, so much work to be able to do this and I'm just grateful.
"You have to start with the beginning and 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 to let me play golf and, of course, my wife. It's great.'
Couvra, who admits he takes inspiration from Rory McIlroy and has had his swing compared to the Grand Slam ace, looked in strong position to take his second DP World Tour title of the year having won at the Turkish Open. The talented kid led into the day and through the opening stages, but Saddier suddenly hit the booster button to rocket away from his rivals down the stretch and finish at 14-under par.
A fabulous back nine of just 30 left rivals trailing in his wake and he said: 'I mean, the two guys with me started really good and they start dropping shots and I started the back nine really good. I just said: Stay on your own zone, just keep focused, make the putts and I did it.'
Couvra, who finished two shots behind his countryman, got the consolation of the second ticket on the flight to Portrush and a Major opportunity, but Saddier got the first prize as well as the Open place and admits he simply cannot wait for the big one where the elite chase the Claret Jug.
Plans to play that week across the Atlantic will now be scrapped as he explained: 'I have to cancel my flight for the US for the Barracuda [Championship], but yeah, it's great. I mean, it will be a nice event. I'm sure my parents, maybe my wife will come, so it will be nice.'
Hill and Bradbury both made superb efforts to bust the French party. The Scottish star, who was aiming to win and join countrymen Bob MacIntyre and Cameron Adam in the field at Royal Portrush, shot a bogey-free 68 as he tried to make up ground.
Bradbury went one better on the day, but he lamented the failure to take advantage of some big opportunities as he matched Hill's 10-under final score, four behind winner Saddier.