The young Frenchman Sébastien GROS wins the 19thrd Najeti Open with 6 moves ahead. Leader since 2rd day, Sébastien GROS knew how to keep a cool head to win his 3rd tournament today (after 2 wins on the Alps Tour in 2012 and 2013).

  • Sébastien GROS - Photo: © Alexis ORLOFF / FFgolf

“I wanted to have the maximum lead over the last 3 days. It was only after my putt on the 17th that I thought I was going to win. I was never sure before. I was very tense, I slept badly, ate badly. I touched the ball badly, I talked about it on the course with Arnaud and then it came back. There is no small victory, you have to know how to win at all levels. It's incredible, it's great. I don't realize but I deserve it ”.

A halo of gaiety never ceased to surround this duo that formed Sébastien Gros and his youngest and friend from childhood, Arnaud Garrigues. A constant complicity that was moving to see.

This magnificent victory allows Sébastien to point to the 2nd place of the Challenge Tour ranking. A big step forward for a qualification on the European Tour next year!

His trainer Benoît Teilleria, contacted by phone, said “Sébastien has been playing well since the start of the year. The failed Cut last week made him twice as eager to do well this week. We had made a very good location of the course together. This course that I know well having played it many times over the past 20 years (12 participations in the Najeti Open between 1995 and 2010) Sébastien likes difficult challenges. We achieved real teamwork with good mental and physical preparation, everyone plays their part. We provide united support in its work. Sébastien is very intelligent, he has enormous abilities, I am very confident for the future ”.

On the second step of the podium, another French: Thomas LINARD

Thomas started this morning at 7rd standings with a total of 3 strokes below Par. His 2 consecutive birdies at holes 4 & 5 give him access to the 2nd leaderboard position at -5. Second place which he will keep until the end of his journey thanks to a magnificent card of 66 (-5), best score of the day and the week.

Pro since 2010, this 27-year-old Parisian resident won his first tournament last year in the Czech Republic, one of the stages of the Challenge Tour 2014.

“I found my mental trainer that I had when I won in 2014. It gave me confidence and brings me discipline. I started the first 3 holes badly as in 2rd round but this time I kept my cool. I missed a few birdie putts on the last few holes. I am very happy with my second place ”.

Great performance of the young Spanish Javier BALLESTEROS, son of the illustrious Severiano, with his 1er Cut passed the Challenge Tour this week. At 24, Javier went pro last November and is trying to find a place in the professional world. He is currently playing on the Alps Tour and when he can benefit from an invitation, he competes in the Challenge Tour tournaments. He finishes at the 18rd place at +1 with a painful 74 (+3) in the wind today (1 eagle at 9, 1 birdie at 7, 3 bogeys on holes 10, 16 and 18 and 1 testing triple bogey at 8).

“I played my best golf but the wind really complicated things today. I will try to do even better in the future ”.

The president of the Open, Jean-Jacques Durand, does not hide his joy and his pride in presenting the trophy of 19rd Najeti Open to a Frenchman. “I congratulate Sébastien GROS, since the time that I expected a new French victory! This reinforces my convictions in order to promote my tournament even more in favor of the French ”.

It's been 11 years that the public of St Omer has been waiting to return to a French victory since Philippe LIMA in 2004.

Find more information on www.najetiopen.com