After an encouraging performance at last week’s Rolex Trophy, Victor Riu has targeted a second win of the season – and a return to The European Tour – at next week’s Open Blue Green Côtes d’Armor Bretagne.
The Frenchman, who captured his debut Challenge Tour title at the Suisse Challenge in July, finished in a tie for sixth place in Geneva last week to move to fifth in the Rankings and within sight of sealing a swift return to the top tier, having lost his European Tour card last season.
Having already accrued €72,923 so far this season, Riu is virtually assured of the top 15 finish he would need to re-join The Race to Dubai in 2014 – last year South African Justin Walters finished 15th on €69,913 – but the 28 year old is aiming to solidify his place in the top five of the Rankings and cement his elevation to the top tier with another determined display on home soil next week.
Golf Blue Green de Pléneuf Val André, in Brittany, holds particularly fond memories for Riu, who finished runner-up there behind England’s Sam Walker in 2010.
Local knowledge is undoubtedly a bonus on a course as quirky as the 6,447 yards, par 70 layout, which is perched on the cliff-tops in the seaside resort of Plenéuf, and has hosted the €180,000 tournament since its inception in 2007.
With the wind whipping in off the English Channel (or ‘La Manche’, as the locals call it), ball control is paramount – which should not be a problem for Riu, who is enjoying his finest Challenge Tour campaign to date.
He said: “I’m very happy with the way I’m playing at the moment. After my win in Switzerland my results were a bit up and down, but I played very well in Geneva – especially the last three rounds.
“My long game was working well, so that gives me a lot of confidence for the rest of the season. Now I just need to work a little bit more on my short game, and that will be tested in Bretagne because there are lots of slopes on and around the greens.
“I really like the course there – especially the 11th hole, which has amazing views of the sea from the cliffs. If there’s no wind it can be quite an easy course, but when the wind blows – and it usually does – it can be very tough. The winning score is normally around five or six under, so you have to work very hard for your birdies.
“Because I’m now certain of my place in the top 15, I can be more aggressive and go for more victories. To win once was great, but I want to win again to show that it wasn’t luck the first time.”
Last year’s tournament was won by Eddie Pepperell, who made the most of his sponsor’s invitation to claim his maiden Challenge Tour title and transform his career.
His lowly category had previously only afforded the young Englishman limited playing opportunities on the Challenge Tour, but after defeating Jeppe Huldahl in a sudden-death play-off, Pepperell was able to pick and choose his events and took full advantage to finish his debut campaign in 13th place in the Rankings.
That earned Pepperell promotion to The European Tour and he has relished the step up in grade, finishing in a tie for sixth place in the BMW PGA Championship in May.
Currently 66th in The Race to Dubai, Pepperell appears destined for great things. But wherever his career takes him, he will always remember where it began: at the Open Blue Green Côtes d’Armor Bretagne.
