Italy’s Guido Migliozzi ignited his chances of making a dream Ryder Cup debut on home soil in Rome with a sensational triumph in the Cazoo Open de France.
The 25-year-old carded a course record-equalling 9-under-par 62 to set a clubhouse target of 16-under 268, which none of the challengers could match on a dramatic Sunday at Le Golf National near Paris.
Although he was a two-time winner on the DP World Tour in 2019 (and good enough to finish top 20 in the last two U.S. Opens), Migliozzi also has proved to be a somewhat boom-or-bust merchant.
On this occasion, and especially at the weekend, it was all boom for the Vicenza native.
He was not only bogey-free through the final 36 holes, or the final round low-scorer by fully four blows, he also completed victory with a stunning 5-iron approach to the final green that very nearly found the hole for an eagle-2 (the tap-in birdie was one of only two made at the 18th in the final round).
“Today golf gave back to me. It was one of those days that was beautiful to live,” he said with romantic flair. “The shot at the 18th was something incredible. I went for it, and it paid off. My caddie was not happy. It was not the real strategy, but I felt I could try.”
Of his quest to make Luke Donald’s team in 12 months, Migliozzi added: “The points are open. It’s a great start, and it’s the main goal. A Ryder Cup in Rome would be a dream.”
Runner-up Rasmus Højgaard, another potential Ryder Cup debutant, endured a tournament of extremes.
The Dane had entered the weekend holding a commanding six-shot lead after opening rounds of 62-65, but he made a quintuple bogey 8 at the second on Saturday and followed it with a bogey 6 at the third.
He recovered to retain the end-of-round lead and even carded birdie and eagle, respectively, on Sunday at the two holes which had troubled him 24 hours earlier. However, he then stalled and was unable to respond to Migliozzi’s charge, ending one shot shy of forcing extra holes.
Belgium’s Thomas Pieters (who was curiously permitted to replace his ball when he duffed a putt in the second round) and South Africa’s George Coetzee both headed into the final holes with winning opportunities before errors dropped them into a share of third with Frenchman Paul Barjon on 11-under.
Matt Cooper