The Road to Mallorca visits France for the first time in 2023, with Golf Bluegreen de Pléneuf Val André the host for the Blot Open de Bretagne. Here are three players to watch out for this week…
Form horse
Andrea Pavan returned to the winner’s circle three weeks ago at the D+D Real Czech Challenge and the Italian’s form at Golf Bluegreen de Pléneuf Val André along with his 2023 success could see him in-line for title number two of the year.
Including his victory, Pavan has recorded three top ten results on the Road to Mallorca this year, and even though he missed the cut in his last outing at the Andalucía Challenge de Cádiz, a Friday round of 65 will breathe confidence for this week. That confidence will only be enhanced given his previous outings on the Pléneuf layout, having won the event ten years ago and having finished in a share of second place in 2017.
Local boy
The Road to Mallorca Number One Ugo Coussaud returns to Challenge Tour action for the first time in a month and will fancy his chances on home soil. The Frenchman, who won his maiden title at The Challenge presented by KGA at the end of March, has had a stellar season, recording two runner-up finishes and a further top ten result alongside his victory.
At last year’s event he was in contention throughout the week but ultimately finished in sixth place. However, a year’s more experience and newfound confidence could see another French winner of the popular event.
The outsider
Benjamin Hebert has struggled with his form this season but a return to home soil will improve his chances, especially at a venue he’s had previous success. The Frenchman currently sits 49th on the Road to Mallorca Rankings with a best result of tied fifth at the B-NL Challenge Trophy. He heads back to a familiar location this week – home to his fifth Challenge Tour title – where he came out on top in 2014 en route to a second place finish in the season-long Rankings.
