Benjamin Hebert triumphed by five strokes on Saturday in the Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand Final, the tour’s season-ending event, to become the first player in history to twice record three wins in a single season on European golf’s second tier.
Final day stroll
The Frenchman never looked troubled around Al Badia Golf Course, beginning the day with a two-shot lead and carding a three-under 69 to come home ahead of compatriot Jerome Lando Casanova. Hebert had won twice this year, at events in France and Norway.
On creating history
“My caddie said ‘man, you can win three times, that’s a great thing’. But I was just thinking to enjoy the round – it’s a great golf course, great weather, a lovely place. So I just wanted take big pleasure in playing today – the last round of the season – and that’s what we did. But I’d like to change all those victories for just one on the European Tour.”
Back in the big time
Hebert’s victory increased his 2014 Challenge Tour earnings to €178,266 (Dh815,357) and lifted him to a runner-up finish in the overall rankings. With it, Hebert graduates to the European Tour for the third time. In 2010, he placed 142nd in the Race to Dubai, while two years later he finished 176th.
On potential 2015 highlight
“For sure, I’m just looking forward to playing over there. The first goal will be to keep the card and, if I manage to do that early in the season, then I’ll try to be more aggressive to win tournaments. If I play like this, it’s going to be OK.”
On learning from 2012
“I’ve practised pretty hard for two years and especially the last year with my new coach. We just have a great feeling together and I feel very good in my game. We want to continue to do the same; don’t change anything because we’re on the European Tour. It’s working, so why change it? Play like this, be patient, take pleasure on course and, maybe, a good victory is going to happen next year.”
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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