Who is Adam Bresnu, the golfer trained in France who chose to play for Morocco?

The young Moroccan golfer aged 20 and still an amateur drew the screen last week in Dubai, at the first Rolex Series of the season. All foreign media, and Golf Planet In particular, rented the quality of play of this talent formed in France and which decided to join the country of his mother. From the Texas where he follows his studies, Adam Bresnu has offered us a long interview in order to know him again.

Interview by Lionel Vella

Born June 6, 2004, Adam(e) Bresnu – one can pronounce Bressenu or Brénu according to him – was trained in Stadiumau Haras Lupinin the Yvelines (78). It was at the age of two, thanks to his father, Stéphane, golf teacher in Vaucresson, that he touched his first clubs. Currently at Odessa College (Texas) where he follows a course in business administration, he will join the University of Texas Techthe one where has passed Clément For example.

Returning to Texas this Monday, January 20 after a long journey from Dubai, the young amateur golfer in the promising future was delivered for more than twenty minutes with us at the game of questions and answers.

Golf Planete: You have just entered the history of golf by becoming the first Arab player to cross a cut in a Rolex Series on the DP World. Have you now taken the measure of this feat?
Adam Bresnu: Yes of course. It was magic. I had a goal was to win. When I played the International Sadi Pif (Asian Tour) in December (Editor’s note, he took 6th place with a total score of -17), I saw that I had the level to win. With my coach, Brad Stracke, who was also my shopping cart, we really wanted to do something big in Dubai. I passed the cut, it’s already not bad (Editor’s note, he finished 68th by playing in particular 69 (-3) during the 2nd round). If I had been told that I was going to play with Jon Rahm (part of training), Adam Scott and Akshay Bhatia (during the 3rd round), I think I would have signed right away. It allowed me to see a lot. I am not far from them, it gives me even more motivation. To train in particular, but also redouble their efforts to the room, in all golf areas. It’s just a matter of time now.

GP: What did you talk about with these world golf stars?
A.B. : Adam Scott, he’s a super nice person. I asked him where he had studied (Editor’s note, University of Las Vegas). He replied that the US University was not too delirious, he was far from his family who remained in Australia. He knew he had the level to pass pro. These discussions open my eyes a little more because I too want to pass pro. I know I have the level but I think that I am not yet ready for the PGA Tour, which remains my main objective. When you see the level of play in US level 1 US universities, it is equivalent to the DP World Tour. It’s amazing. The world’s top 100 amateur is incredibly well played in golf.

For the moment, my life is in the United States. I will stay here to participate in Elites Series. These are all the biggest amateur US tournaments.

GP: Will you see you again soon in a professional tournament?
A.B. : There is a stage in Morocco on the Asian Tour (Editor’s note, International Series in Rabat (July 3-6) on the Dar es Salam Red Course) But I don’t think I will take part. For the moment, my life is in the United States. I will stay here to participate in Elites Series. These are all the biggest amateur US tournaments. Playing on the Asian Tour is cool, but my goal is not to play in Asia.

GP: Explain to us how you got your invitations on the Asian Tour, both for Qatar and then for Saudi Arabia …
A.B. : I won them via the Pan Arab Championship. It was last November, in Dubai, at the Al Zorah Golf Club. I won the tournament at -16, with 7 blows ahead. The winner had two invitations for the Asian Tour, first in Qatar and then in Saudi Arabia. And also in the end internship of the Asian Tour (in Thailand). I said ok for the first two but I refused for the final internship because I do not intend to pass pro at the moment.

GP: And with regard to this invitation to Hero Dubai Desert Classic?
A.B. : When I finished 6th in Saudi Arabia, a general of the United Arab Emirates, whom I know very well, offered me an invitation. We were sitting, there were the presidents of the Lebanese and Egyptian federations with us … He said to me: ” What do you think of playing a Rolex Series in Dubai? “I replied:” Are you serious? » « Yes, quite serious “, He added. And that’s how I had the invitation.

GP: Has this 6th place in Saudi Arabia was a real trigger for you after your 49th place a few days earlier in Qatar?
A.B. : Yes… as soon as I make a big professional tournament or a big amateur tournament, I tell myself that I have the level to beat the others. That’s how it is, I think, that you have to work in golf, and in general, in high level sport. You have to be super confident, not fart it (sic), no, but have self -confidence. If we know that we can do it, we do it (laughter).

With the FFG, it was great. I am super grateful to what she has brought me. If I am there, it is thanks to them. But there were some problems, things that I did not appreciate too much.

GP: You defended the colors of France at the European Boys championship in Denmark in 2021 then in Germany in 2022. What do you have of this period?
A.B. : It is a memory that remains engraved in me. Fabulous. The staff had made a very good job. We had a big team in 2021 but we did not win (Editor’s note, with Ugo Malcor, Ohan Guillamoundeguy, Maxence Giboudot, Martin Couvra, Louis Pilod).

GP: Why did you then choose to join the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation?
AB: With the FFGOLF, it was great. I am super grateful to what she has brought me. If I am there, it is thanks to them. But there were some problems, things that I did not appreciate too much. I remember watching a film with my father, it was with Will Smith on the Williams sisters (Editor’s note, the Williams method released indoors in 2021). This film had impressed me. I said to my father: ” Dad, I want to be the first Moroccan golfer to play on the PGA Tour ».

It was complicated enough for France to accept. I had a very strong relationship with Jean-François Lucquin, who was also my coach. It was very complicated for me to make such a decision. But I think it was the best. I have since played on the Asian Tour, I played a Rolex Series … I do not regret this choice.

GP: Is it true that you were refused entry to the performance center at the national golf course due to lack of space?
A.B. : I think there was room at the National Golf Performance Center, and that’s a reason why I didn’t really appreciate. I was at the France pole of white land at that time. It hurt me to leave Jeff (Lucquin) to go to Paris. But this is where my family lives. It would have been more practical for me, especially compared to my coach too, William Hees (Editor’s note, teacher at the Haras Lupine de Vaucresson). They refused, I did not take it very well …

GP: Do you still keep in touch with your former teammates in the France team?
A.B. : Yes, again from time to time with Oihan (Guillamoundeguy). I am always a friend with Ugo Malcor and Louis Porod. But I no longer have too much contact with others …

GP: What is your dearest wish for 2025?
A.B. : I have several. First enter the world’s top 50 amateur (Editor’s note, it is currently 163rd). I want to win the Nationals with Odessa College. When I played the International Sadi Pif, I chatted with Abraham Ancer. He stayed a year in Odessa College and he had the record for victories (8) over a year. I’m four for now (in the 1st half). I still have eight tournaments. I have this goal of breaking the record for the Junior College.

GP: What if we look a little further?
A.B. : The objective would be to finish n ° 1 of the PGA Tour University. It’s super hard but I believe in me. Otherwise, go through the Korn Ferry Tour. Go to Europe and get one of the 10 spots on the PGA Tour? Yes, it’s an alternative. It would also bring me closer to the house. We are not far from Morocco either, but I don’t see myself doing my entire career on the DPWT. The weather over there doesn’t make me want too much (laughter).

The right of response from the French Golf Federation

Christophe Muniesathe General manager et National Technical Director of the French Golf Federationwanted to respond to the declarations of Adam Bresnu concerning his choice to evolve with Morocco, the country of his mother.

« Adam was in the Hope Pole in Montpellier for the 2018-19 season and in the National Center for Performance on White Earth in 2021-22. He was kept in CNP at the start of the 2022 school year – we also have the confirmation email for the person concerned and his father. He then asked to come to Paris after a few weeks, to get closer to his personal coach, which was refused to him. He then told the DTN that he made the choice to find his mother in Morocco. »

« We were delighted that Adam played for France and it is always regret to see the departure of one of our players for another banner. We respect her approach, although we regret it given the talent of this young player. The elements that were presented to us at the time were based on personal choices, on a desire to settle in Morocco. There were family considerations too … The discussions were carried out in total cooperation with the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation (FRMG). And more particularly with Olivier Edmondwhich is the DTN of this federation. Overall, we remember that Adam continues to progress, that he plays very well and we wish him the best. »

« On the other hand, I do not confirm the fact that he was refused a place at the national golf performance center. I don’t know if it was the generating event. I know he applied, as is the case with many players. If he makes the link between the fact that he did not return to the performance center and the fact that he changed nationality, once again we respect his decision. But if all the players who apply to enter the performance center and who are not selected did the same, there would be many French players who would change nationality. Frankly, it seems to me to be a very sterile controversy. We can only regret Adam to highlight this type of motivation to change nationality. We want the best for Adam and we will not get into this kind of controversy. I think that it would be a bad trial for the FFG to consider that as we did not obtain everything that we would have liked from a federation, this justifies that we change nationality. »

Photo : DAVID CANNON / David Cannon Collection / Getty Images via AFP