Hugh Foley’s hopes of contending down the stretch in a professional event for the first time faded around the turn and it was Spain’s Javier Calles Roman who held his nerve for victory.
Foley began the day four shots in arrears and knew he’d need to produce something special to claim his maiden pro win, and a birdie at the first was the ideal start. A bogey on three didn’t help the cause, however, and though he’d pick up another birdie on the ninth, his outside chance had all but evaporated.
It fully went with a double bogey on 10 and a bogey on 11, and two further dropped shots on 13 and 15 rubbed salt into the wounds. A closing birdie was only minor consolation, but as the only surviving Irishman, it was a disappointing week overall for the Irish on the Alps Tour.
It was far from disappointing for Spaniard Calles Roman, however, who was the only player to record three rounds in the 60s. His closing 69 included two birdies in the final three holes including one on 18 which secured a one-stroke win over Italian Flavio Michetti who threw everything he had coming down the stretch.
Michetti’s final seven holes read birdie-birdie-birdie-double bogey-eagle-birdie-birde, but he had to settle for solo second with Holland’s Jerry Ji and another Italian in Lucas Fallotico one further adrift in a share of third.
“I’m very emotional, I still need to process what happened,” Calles Roman said afterwards. “This is a dream come true. I turned professional exactly one year ago, and to win my first title within that year is truly special. This win is for my parents; I wouldn’t be here without their unwavering support through the good and bad times.”
He continued: “The nerves definitely kicked in today. I knew where I stood on the leaderboard and kept being aggressive. I lipped out for birdie on 17, and when I reached the 18th tee, I kept telling myself to stay aggressive but calm simultaneously.”
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