Martin Couvra has entered the European Challenge Tour history books after becoming just the seventh amateur since the Tour's inception to win, after his play-off victory at the Challenge de España.
The Frenchman posted a five under par 65 in regulation play during the final round to move to 12 under alongside Italian Andrea Pavan and Northern Irishman Dermot McElroy, who carded an eight under par 62.
On the first extra play-off hole, at Club de Golf Playa Serena, Pavan's bogey ended his chances as Couvra and McElroy settled for pars. It was on the second time of asking that the 20-year-old again made par, while McElroy could only make bogey.
“It’s just an amazing feeling right now,” he said “I tried to play my best golf and luckily it was enough, so I am very happy and I still can’t believe I managed to win.
I am so emotional right now
“I tried to not look at the scores but I saw the big leaderboards at some points. I am so emotional right now and that is why I play golf. In the play-off I just tried to concentrate on the simple things.”
Couvra, becomes the sixth French winner of the Challenge de España in its 23 editions. He joins the list of José-Filipe Lima, Adrien Mörk, Adrien Saddier and DP World Tour winners Victor Perez and Antoine Rozner.
“This changes my whole career because now I have a full category on the Challenge Tour for next season and I have now climbed the Rankings considerably,” Couvra said.
World Amateur Team Championships in Abu Dhabi
“I am going to turn professional just after the World Amateur Team Championships with France in Abu Dhabi at the end of the season. I still have three months left as an amateur, so this win is very special.
“I’m going to play next week in Portugal and just take each week when it comes.”
Frenchman Benjamin Hébert, Swede Kristoffer Broberg, Spain’s Lucas Vacarisas and Englishman Jamie Rutherford shared fourth place on 11 under par, while six players finished a shot further back in eighth including 2023 Abu Dhabi Challenge winner Ricardo Gouevia and 2019 Challenge Tour Number One Francesco Laporta.
Couvra climbs 126 places to 41st on the Road to Mallorca Rankings, while McElroy jumps 52 places into 56th. Pavan rises four spots into sixth position, while South African Casey Jarvis remains at the top of the season-long standings.
The Road to Mallorca now heads to Portugal for the Open de Portugal at Royal Óbidos from September 14-17, 2023.
