Winner of the French Open in 1995 on the course from the Albatros to the National Golf, Paul Broadhurst won, twenty-two years later, the Paris Legends Championship, one of the flagship stages of the European Senior Tour. With a total of -12 over three rounds, the Englishman ahead of the American star John Daly, 2nd at -10 and his compatriot Philip Golding, 3rd at -9.
Paris Legends Championship: Paul Broadhurst, a historic double!

Paul Broadhurst winner of the Paris Legends Championship 2017 - photo TPlassais / swing-feminin.com

A rare double that will remain in the history of European golf

By winning the second edition of the Paris Legends Championship, this September 30, 2017 at the Golf National in Guyancourt, Paul broadhurst wrote history. The Englishman had already imposed himself on the Albatros course in 1995 during the French Open. Twenty-two years later, moved into the Senior category and already won a first title in the over 50s with his 2016 victory at the Senior Open Championship (his first Major,) the Englishman returned to success on the Albatros, a playground he deeply loves.

After a first round completed in 65, Thursday at the Golf National, Broadhurst said that winning two tournaments at this level more than two decades apart would be "Extraordinary". Remained leader of the tournament after a solid second round in 70, the Briton nevertheless saw John Daly melt on him. Since the famous American, author of the first two cards of 68, was only one stroke behind him. The final match could begin with a high tension third round.

One year before the 2018 Ryder Cup due ls on this same site in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, the two men, accompanied by the Englishman Roger chapman, started in the third round in direct confrontation. It was at hole n ° 9, with a bogey for Broadhurst and a birdie for Daly, that perfect equality was established: -9 for the two players. The American even passed the Briton with a new birdie at 10: -10 for Daly, -9 for Broadhurst.

“I am not coming to play the Paris Legends Championship because this tournament is being held at the future venue of the Ryder Cup 2018. I am coming because the Albatross is a magnificent course, because the 15th is a hole that I could all play. I like the days so much and because I keep fond memories of my victory at the 1995 French Open, with a card of 63 on the last day… ” So spoke Paul broadhurst when arriving at the Golf National.

The confidence of the Englishman, six times winner on the European Tour between 1989 and 2006 (and, already in August already winner of the Scottish Open Senior), was evident on the return of the Albatross: six pars and three birdies in 13, 14 and 17. Absolutely in line with his first two rounds where he had signed four birdies and five pars, then two birdies and seven pars. No bogey in three laps between 10 and 18 of the Albatros, a pretty telling statistic…

When John Daly committed a bogey to 13, his chances of winning a first title on the European Senior Tour, a few months after his first victory on the PGA Tour Champions, on May 7 at the Insperity Invitational, seemed to fly. Despite a final birdie at 18, the third in three days, Daly finished at -10. Only 2nd to two shots from Paul Broadhurst's -12, which succeeds Magnus P Atlevi, the Swedish winner of the Paris Legends Championship 2016.

The Englishman Phil golding, also a former winner of the French Open (in 2003) finishes 3rd at -9, in front of another British, Roger chapman, 4th to -7. Magnus P Atlevi ranks 5th tied at -6 with the South African James kingston. More modest overall result for the French: JJean-François Remésy 29th to +6, Marc Farry 36th to +7, Roger sabarros et Jean-Pierre Sallat, 49th at +14.

"I already want to pay tribute to John Daly", said Paul Broadhurst to the public, once the Paris Legends Championship trophy was awarded by Alexis sikorsky, promoter of the tournament with its Pitch & Play structure. “Because the real highlight of this week at Golf National is John who gave it to us by playing guitar and singing as he did on the last evening! "

The tall, terrible blonde of American golf, star of the tournament on the ground and who more than justified his presence at the National with a game always spectacular and this excellent second place, had indeed ignited the whole tournament, during the rock concert -blues given on Friday evening on the forecourt of the Golf National. Team Pitch & Play player and confident in this structure on a human scale, John Daly joined the musicians of Manu Lanvin's band on stage.

The most successful player in the field, with his two Major victories (1991 and 1995), "Big John" was extraordinary in a resumption of the famous "Knocking on heaven's door" by Bob Dylan. Guitar in hand, giving voice like a pro, Daly really lit the fire. A great moment, even for his fellow golfers, all hung on their smartphones to film this moment of anthology. History for several reasons, the second edition of the Paris Legends Championship!

To know more : www.parislegendschampionship.com

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