Alfred Dunhill Links Championship

Alfred Dunhill Links Championship

Alfred Dunhill Links Championship
St. Andrews & Fife, Scotland
Winner: Victor Perez

Following in the footsteps of Arnaud Massy, who moved to Scotland and became the first Frenchman to win the Open Championship in 1907, Victor Perez became the first player from his country to win the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship with a one-stroke victory over Matthew Southgate. For the previous 18 months Perez was living in Dundee where his girlfriend was studying to become a dentist. “There’s nothing like a win,” he said. “The confidence that you get from getting it done, it’s so difficult at this level to win. Being my first year, I’m obviously delighted. It wasn’t easy, Matt played amazing.”

The 27-year-old rookie opened with a 64 on the Old Course at St. Andrews, then had a 68 at Carnoustie and another 64 at Kingsbarns. He started the final round tied with Southgate and on a cool, windy day the pair ended up in a head-to-head duel on the Old Course. A two-shot swing at the long 14th brought the pair back level. A poor chip led to a bogey for Southgate while Perez got down in two putts from off the green.

It was at the Road Hole, as so often, that decided the affair. Perez’s drive found the fairway and led to a par, while Southgate was in the rough on the left. A fine approach avoided the famous bunker and found the green, but he took three putts from long range. Perez closed with a 70 for a 22-under-par total of 266, while Southgate had a 71. Paul Waring and Joakim Lagergren shared third place another stroke back, while Tommy Fleetwood joined the tie for fifth place with a closing 64.

His score proved decisive in the team event which he won with businessman Ogden Phipps on 39 under par with a closing 62. Rory McIlroy and his dad Gerry finished on the same mark but lost on count back due to Rory finishing with a 67 despite their final round team score of 61.