Honorary Scot Perez draws on home comforts
VICTOR PEREZ made the most of home comforts last night to secure a thrilling first European Tour title in his rookie season.
The 27-year-old hails from France but is no stranger to links golf in Scotland, having spent the last 18 months living in Dundee where his girlfriend attends dental school.
And he can now well and truly consider himself an honorary Scot after winning the Alfred Dunhill Links at the Old Course.
Perez, who edged a final-round battle with Englishman Matthew Southgate to triumph by one shot, said: ‘Obviously, living in Dundee 20 minutes from here makes it more special.
‘Sleeping at home and doing all the little things make an away week feel like home and I think that’s a great advantage.
‘For a professional golfer, sleeping in your own bed is a massive thing for resting and recovery. When you’re away, you never really know what you’re going to get. I feel like having the details that make you more comfortable can give you the edge coming down 17 and hitting a great shot.’
Southgate, playing in his 140th tour event without a win to his name, had a two-shot lead with five holes to play — but his advantage was wiped out at the par-five 14th with a bogey to playing partner Perez’s birdie.
The 30-year-old from Essex hit a marvellous approach from a difficult lie at the 17th but the Road Hole claimed yet another victim when he three-putted that notoriously-difficult green from long range. It proved the difference in the end, with Southgate failing to make the birdie he needed at the last to force a play-off.
Perez, whose closing 70 to reach 22-under par included three birdies and a solitary bogey, becomes the first Frenchman to win the tournament.
‘I’m very pleased. There are so many things that need to come together to win a golf tournament,’ said the two-time Challenge Tour winner.
‘There are so many great players still striving for their first win and it has happened for me in my first year. I’m quite fortunate.
‘Waking up this morning, you go out and you try to play as well as you can, but you don’t know if somebody can go and shoot eight under — and then you lose by six and you felt like you did your job but you might be miles away.
‘Obviously, I felt like I had a solid day. I did my job and it was good enough and, next thing you know, you’re a winner on the European Tour. You have to take it how it comes and it’s a great win for me.’
Gracious runner-up Southgate showed the perspective of a man who thought he would have to give up the game after being diagnosed with testicular cancer four years ago.
‘I’m gutted, obviously, but chuffed to bits at the same time, given all the great players I’ve beaten this week,’ he said.
‘Victor’s a real gentleman and he never missed a shot all day. If I couldn’t win my first title, I’m thrilled that it’s him that had the honour instead.
‘It’s been a horrible season for me and this has sorted that right out and got us right back on the Race to Dubai and that’s the goal for me, really.
‘I think I’ve proved to the world this week that when I do switch it on, I can mix it with the best.’
Another Englishman, Paul Waring, and Sweden’s Joakim Lagergren finished in a tie for third. Tommy Fleetwood and Tom Lewis both finished with fabulous 64s to be part of a group sharing fifth place, while Richie Ramsay was top Scot, finishing among those tied tenth with a 68.
One of the more notable rounds belonged to 21-year-old Englishman Harry Hall.
Three weeks ago, he was playing in Britain and Ireland’s losing Walker Cup side. Here, making his pro debut, he found himself alongside Rory McIlroy for the final round.
He shot a nerveless 65 to the Northern Irishman’s 67 to finish tied 15th and tucked more than £50,000 into his back pocket.
As for McIlroy, six successive birdies meant that he and his dad Gerry finished tied first in the team format with Fleetwood and his partner, American Ogden Phipps.