Kent’s Alfie Plant came out on top in a three-way play-off to secure his first Challenge Tour title at the Hopps Open de Provence.
The 29-year-old from Sundridge Park professional started the final round six shots behind third round leader Lukas Nemecz before carding a five-under-par 67 to move to 17 under alongside Nemecz and Germany’s Marcel Schneider at Golf International de Pont Royal in France.
Plant put himself out of position off the tee on the first play-off hole, but recovered brilliantly to make birdie and defeat Nemecz and Schneider, who could only make par.
“It feels amazing,” said Plant, who turned professional in 2017 after playing in the Walker Cup. “I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet, but I’m over the moon to get my first Challenge Tour win under my belt. I felt like I was out of it on the first nine, but just kept telling myself to keep playing my game, try to nick a few birdies here and there, and you never know what can happen. I made two great birdies at 16 and 17, and also a great up and down at the last to get in the play-off. I can’t really believe it.”
Playing in his eighth consecutive Challenge Tour event, Plant said he felt mentally and physically drained before the week, but believes the lack of expectation allowed him to flourish in France.
“To be honest, it’s probably the worst I’ve felt at the beginning of the week,” he said. “I felt exhausted because this is my eighth week on the bounce, and I was actually just resting in bed for a couple of days before this. My preparation was pretty easy, I just slept on Tuesday and Wednesday. I had no expectations coming into the week which definitely helped out there.”
Plant climbs 47 places to 23rd on the Road to Mallorca rankings, quickly changing his ambitions for the rest of the year and putting him in contention to earn European Tour playing rights for the 2022 season. “I was hovering around 70th in the rankings, so I was worried about keeping my card for next year, but this has put me at ease now. I can start looking at the top end of the rankings and see where I am at the end of the year.”