Alpen Open, Damien Perrier surprises everyone

Frenchman Damien Perrier came back from 17th place with a score of 63 (-9, one eagle, eight birdies, one bogey) to win the first edition of the Longwy Alps Open, played on the UGolf Longwy International course (par 72), in the French town from which the tournament takes its name, by 202 strokes (69 70 63, -14).

In a surprising final, Dutchman Vince Van Veen climbed from 31st to second place with 203 (-13), thanks to a 62 (-10, two eagles, seven birdies, one bogey), the best part of the round. In doing so, he equaled Frenchman Benjamin Kedochim, leader in the rankings of merit, who, however, is unable to win and who in fact missed a great opportunity to do so.

Alpen Open, results Three Italians in the top ten: Jacopo Vecchi Fossa and the amateur Luca Memeo, fourth with 205 (-11), and Manfredi Manica, sixth with 206 (-10). Memeo was among the main players and after 12 holes he led with a two-stroke advantage.

Then he gave in and with two bogeys and a triple bogey in the next three holes he had to let his opponents go ahead. It remains a good performance and certainly an important experience that will be useful for the future. Manica was joined by the Frenchman Victor Riu, the Spaniard Asier Aguirre Izcue, the American Brandon Kewalramani (two successes this season) and the Irishmen Robert Moran and Paul McBride.

At the top of the rankings are Andrea Romano, 12th with 207 (-9), in the middle Luca Cavalli and Federico Livio, 22nd with 210 (-6), and Mattia Comotti and Luca Cianchetti, 25th with 211 (-5). Also in the money are Elia Dallanegra, 36th with 214 (-2), and Gianmaria Rean Trinchero, 45th with 217 (+1).

Damien Perrier, 35 years old from Rennes, is pursuing his second title on the Alps Tour in eight seasons, after his first in the Open International de Normandie in 2009. His meagre list of achievements includes one success on the Challenge Tour, one on the EPD Tour and one on the French Tour.

For him a check for 6,525 euros on a prize pool of 45,000 euros. And all this about the Longwy Alps Open, played on the UGolf Longwy International course.