David Horsey returns to the winner’s circle with a dramatic play-off triumph in France.
David Horsey came through a dramatic four-man play-off to secure a first victory in almost ten years at the Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge at Golf PGA France du Vaudreuil.
The Mancunian birdied the 72nd hole to join James Allan, Joseba Torres, and Daniel Young in a play-off, before birdieing the first extra hole to come out on top on a thrilling final day in Normandy.
The 40-year-old becomes a three-time winner on the HotelPlanner Tour and climbs 97 places to 12th in the Road to Mallorca Rankings, boosting his chances of securing a return to golf’s global tour.
“It’s good to get it over the line,” he said. “It’s been a tough road the last four or five years.
“I’ve had a few injuries and I haven’t been playing very well so it’s nice to finally start putting a series of rounds together.
“I’ve been playing well in single rounds, but to put four rounds together and win a tournament is very pleasing.
“It was also pleasing to see everything hold up under pressure. I’ve always felt recently that I have my game in a good place but never thought I could do it under pressure. To see that hold up today was great and hopefully it will for the rest of the season.”
Horsey started the day in a three-way tie for the lead but moved out in front after making a long birdie putt at the first.
The four-time DP World Tour winner then parred his way to the turn before three successive birdies from the tenth moved him two shots clear.
A bogey at 14 was quickly cancelled out by a birdie on 15, however a double bogey at the 17th saw him slip one off the clubhouse lead.
Horsey responded again with a birdie on his closing hole to take it to extra holes, and produced a sensational approach at the par three tenth, hitting his tee shot to three feet before rolling in the putt for birdie and the win.
“Hitting a great shot like that into the first play-off hole is very pleasing,” he added.
“I made a birdie in regulation on the play-off hole. It was the perfect five iron for me, so I could stand up there, hit it and know it wasn’t going to go long.
“It came out perfectly and a little bit of wind off the right helped it come back to three or four feet, and I managed to hole it.
“Hopefully I can fine-tune the feelings I’ve come across and kick on and win a few more.”
