Roscommon man Allan Hill claimed a maiden victory on the R&A student tour series (STS) in France over the weekend.
Hill, a Maynooth University masters student, claimed a play-off victory over Le Golf National’s Albatros course.
The Roscommon man’s victory makes it seven of eight first-time winners this season.
Hill needed a one-hole play-off over University of St. Andrews student Adam Charlton after they finished all square on one-over-par 214.
The 23-year-old Masters student, finance, made a bogey five on the par-four final hole to Charlton’s six. After Charlton found water with his second shot.
Hill was cruising with a three shot-lead after 14 holes, but made a quadruple bogey on the 15th hole after hitting three balls into the water.
“The was stressful, but it’s nice to finally get over the line, especially since it’s my second last tournament,” said the 23-year-old, who graduates this year.
“I’ve been trying to win for five years. It’s very satisfying to win on this golf course because it tests every facet of the game”.
“I didn’t have huge expectations this week but I was happy with my performance over the first two-and-a-half rounds or so.
“I thought I’d blown my chances at 15, but I hit a great hybrid from 220 yards at 17 to ten feet and holed the birdie putt. That gave me the momentum back and it turned out to be my day”.
“The fact I’m the seventh first-time winner this season is a credit to the Series, which has only got stronger since I started. It speaks to the calibre of players that anyone can step up and win.”
