After 12 consecutive visits to the European Tour Qualifying School, Frenchman Jeff Remesy's dream has finally come true. A magnificent final round of 68, four under par, gave him a two shot victory in the inaugural Estoril Open at Penha Longa and earned him a two-year exemption to the European Tour.
The 34-year-old Cannes professional, who was on the brink of giving the game up altogether last winter after failing to get a card once again, picked up seven birdies in the final round to hold off the strong challenges from Scotland's Andrew Coltart, England's David Carter and Italy's Massimo Florioli.
"It's a dream come true," said an elated Remesy. "Today is an unbelievable day. Andrew Coltart was pushing me along but I tried to play my own game. He had a double bogey on the 17th which opened the door for me. Today is my day."
Until this week Remesy had never led a European Tour event but a second round of 69 moved him to the top of the field. When he dropped four shots in the final three holes of the third round it looked as if his challenge had ground to a halt.
But Remesy came flying out of the blocks for the final round. Starting the day four shots off the lead he birdied five of the first seven holes, his only blemish coming at the par-three fifth where he made double bogey. Another birdie on the tenth moved him to two under and into the lead.
When his playing partner Coltart birdied the 12th and 13th to move to five under for the round the two players were tied for the lead. With two holes to play it was a two-horse race but Coltart's challenge ended when he double bogeyed the par-three 17th after finding a bunker with his tee-shot.
"There was no sand under the ball and the club bounced, the ball shot over the other side of the green into the thick rough," said Coltart. "I chipped out to about ten feet and missed. It's frightening that it comes down to something like that.
"Coming down the stretch I fancied my chances but all credit to Jeff - he played great."
Also tied for second was Carter after a best-of-the-week 67. Starting the final round in joint 40th and seven shots off the lead, Carter had an eagle and three birdies in a flawless round. In the end the third round of 79 proved costly.
"The third round was very disappointing but you've got to burn your fingers to learn," he said. "You don't learn from shooting 65's, you learn from the bad scores."
Massimo Florioli joined them in second after a final round of 71.
