Langasque wins 120th Amateur Championship at Carnoustie
Frenchman Romain Langasque recorded a “dream win” over Scotland’s Grant Forrest at the 120th Amateur Championship at Carnoustie.
“This is just a dream for me,” said the 20-year old. “It is just incredible that I am going to play at St Andrews in one month’s time for The Open.
Did the USGA make a mistake with Chambers Bay?
“When I came here I played my first practice round and played really well at Panmure maybe six or seven-under-par and then when I played my practice round here at Carnoustie I was maybe six or seven over so when it came to the first round I just tried to do my best on every shot.
“I played ok for the first two rounds and then the more the competition advanced the more I played well. This morning was my best round of the championship and I played really well.”
Langasque secured victory in 36-hole Final by 4&2 and in return he gains a place in next month’s 144th Open at St Andrews. This victory also gains him a place in next year’s US Open at Oakmont and, traditionally, an invitation to the Masters Tournament.
The 20-year-old Frenchman sealed the win on the par three 34th hole when Forrest conceded the hole and the match after his tee shot had gone through the back of the green and his chip coming back went past the hole with Langasque facing a 10ft birdie putt.
Carnoustie. Tough. Fair. Magnificent.
“The start this afternoon really killed it for me,” said the Craigielaw player, Forrest. “Coming back from seven down was always going to be a tall order.
“The bunker on the 15th (the 33rd) is one of the few bunkers on the course you can move the ball forward from and he hit a great shot. I ended up getting a half. If I had won that hole then two down with three to play is a lot different.
“This week has been a great confidence boost for me which is just what I needed at this point. My confidence was a bit low because I hadn’t been playing well.
“I am disappointed not to have won but it is good to see that I can compete in a championship like this.”
Langasque becomes the third Frenchman to win the Amateur Championship after Philippe Ploujoux in 1981 and Julien Guerrier in 2006.
