• Open de Andalucia, Round Four

Manassero falls just short as Quesne conquers

ESPN staff
March 18, 2012
Julien Quesne took control of the tournament whilst others dithered © Getty Images
Enlarge

Leaderboard

World No. 322 Julien Quesne fired a devastating round of 64 on the final day of the Open de Andalucia to claim the title - his first on the European Tour.

Quesne, who graduated from last season's Challenge Tour, will take home €140,000 more than his previous best earnings from one event.

He did not seem a likely winner early on Saturday, having finished his second round at four under following a 72 - but a devastating one-two punch over the weekend, 67 then a course record-equalling 64, got the job done.

The Frenchman completed at 17 under, two shots clear of second-placed Matteo Manassero, and three ahead of overnight leader Eduardo de la Riva.

Quesne got himself in the clubhouse early, then watched as more illustrious names failed to match his efforts. A blitz of birdies - four in the last five holes - carried him over the line as he showed no sign of nerves or fatigue under pressure.

Manassero began the tournament at world No. 63, and has now made strides towards earning the top 50 ranking he needs to compete at next month's Masters - but that will be little consolation. He closed with a 68, which on another day might have been enough. Ultimately he was left to rue a slow start on Sunday, playing the first five holes in one over.

Miguel Angel Jimenez, who helped promote the event, finished in a tie for seventh at 11 under, alongside Ireland's Shane Lowry and England's Mark Foster. Robert Rock was three strokes behind that trio.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices