Maynooth University student Allan Hill finally broke the door down and notched his first R&A Student Tour Series win after a playoff victory at Le Golf National in France.
Hill’s victory makes it seven of eight first-time winners this season, a credit to the STS’s strength in depth.
Hill needed one extra hole with University of St Andrews student Adam Charlton after they finished all square on one-over-par 214. The 23-year-old Masters student in finance made a bogey five on the par-4 final hole to Charlton’s six, after Charlton found water with his second shot.
Five men shared third place, one shot out of the play-off.
Hill’s win made up for a few near misses during his STS career, including runner-up in the 2020 STS – Portugal event, a result that included a course-record, six-under-par 66 over the demanding Troia Golf course.
Hill earned an Arnold Palmer Cup team place that season. However, a persistent left wrist injury has hampered the Roscommon Golf Club member ever since.
Hill was cruising with a three shot-lead after 14 holes, but made a quadruple bogey on the 15th hole after hitting three balls into the water.
“The was stressful, but it’s nice to finally get over the line, especially since it’s my second last tournament,” said the 23-year-old, who graduates this year.
“I’ve been trying to win for five years. It’s very satisfying to win on this golf course because it tests every facet of the game.
“I didn’t have huge expectations this week but I was happy with my performance over the first two-and-a-half rounds or so. I thought I’d blown my chances at 15, but I hit a great hybrid from 220 yards at 17 to ten feet and holed the birdie putt. That gave me the momentum back and it turned out to be my day.
“The fact I’m the seventh first-time winner this season is a credit to the Series, which has only got stronger since I started. It speaks to the calibre of players that anyone can step up and win.”
Ryan Griffin finished in a share of third place on two-over to maintain his position at the top of the Order of Merit.
Meanwhile in the women’s section, Maynooth University student Kate Lanigan was pipped to the post by Lorna McClymont and she had to settle for second place on four-over, three shots behind McClymont.
Lanigan still leads the Order of Merit rankings.
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