Saddier wins first European Tour title on 200th start

leaderboard for the Italian Open final round

-14 A Saddier (FRA) -12 M Couvra -10 C Hill (Sco), D Bradbury (Eng) -9 C Sordet (Fra), N von Dellingshausen (Ger)

Adrien Saddier, France’s 200th Open debut, won his first European title with a brilliant effort on the back nine.

At the turn, Saddier had three shots to go before Martin Couvra, but a final-round five birdies and a birdie-hole victory at the Argentario Golf Club earned the player a two-stroke victory.

The 33-year-old shot a four-under 66 to finish the tournament at 14 under, with Couvra coming in second after carding a final round 69.

Saddier, who made his Tour debut in 2014, could not contain being emotional when he claimed his long-awaited maiden victory.

“It’s great. To be able to accomplish this requires a lot of work. He continued, “I’m just grateful.”

“Just stay in your own zone, just keep focused, make the putts,” I really kicked off the back nine. And I succeeded.

With their one-two record, Saddier and Couvra will both be able to secure places at the upcoming Open Championship in Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland.