A double duo leads the Mercedes Golf Open after the first fourballs

Local players Alexandre Daydou and Romain Lanteri (photo) as well as former DP World Tour players Jérôme Lando-Casanova and Clément Berardo played on fire with a magnificent -10 in fourballs, to take the lead after the first round of Mercedes Golf Reunion Open. Théo Boulet and Adrien Bonnet complete the podium with two shots, ahead of many Reunion golfers in ambush before Saturday's Foursomes.

David CHARPENET, special envoy to Reunion

Alexandre Daydou et Romain Lanteri hit hard at the opening of the Mercedes Golf Open of La Réunion ! The two children from Golf du Bassin Bleu achieved a magnificent score with a score of -10 in four best balls.

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The Reunion Islanders were finally caught at the top of the ranking by one of the favorite pairs of the event, Jérôme Lando-Casanova et Clement Berardothanks in particular to a superb eagle at 18. “ The formula is very nice and we also played with some rather funny playing partners. So we had a great day”smiled the Corsican player.

An eagle from the next fairway

The only team composed of two players who have already played on the DP World Tour held its place with a well-defined strategy for the Fourballs… but still in reflection for the Foursome on Saturday.

« The game plan was rather to put a ball in play to allow Clément to let go of the horses”explained Lando-Casanova. ” I let them go. Not always in the right place. But I actually let the horses loose”Berardo laughed.

A strategy that paid off as at 18, with an eagle from Auxerrois… who nevertheless played his second shot blind from the fairway of hole number 1.

We are not from the same generation, but we are both from the Golf du Bassin Bleu

Romain Lanteri

The two Reunionese co-leaders Romain Lanteri et Alexandre Daydou for their part set the course on fire in the first leg, before taking a warning for delay of play at the start of the 10th, which perhaps took them out of their game a little.

« We wanted to start well. And we both always wanted to be in a good position so as not to rely on the partner, declared Daydou. We started on fire with -7 on the way out and we could have done better on the way back. Perhaps the slow play warning confused us a little. But frankly, we would have signed this morning for a score of -10. »

A complementarity which is more to be sought from the side of a fraternal state of mind than from the side of the style of play.

« We sometimes play together on vacation. And we know the route very well. We are not from the same generation, but we are both from the Golf du Bassin Bleu. We get along well and that helps along the way.”concluded the former player from Campbell University who regularly takes out great players like the Swede Jesper Svenssoncurrently on the DP World Tour.

Bonnet and Boulet on the podium

The pair composed of Adrien Bonnet et Theo Boulet completes the podium with a score of -8, despite four initial pars.

« We complemented each other well overall. The key will be the Foursome tomorrow. With our -8 today, one per tomorrow, that wouldn't be bad. That would certainly give us the opportunity to win on Sunday.” they explained together.

Benjamin Kedochim at the foot of the podium with Louis Bellan

The scores remain very close with fourteen teams in six shots and the foursomes can redistribute the cards on Saturday. Note the presence of the player from the Golf de Bourbon, Benjamin Kedochimfourth with Louis Bella and which will evolve on the Challenge Tour next season. The Réunionnais shares fourth place with in particular the returning duo composed of David Antonelli et Romain Béchuboth outside the professional circuits, but visibly still as sharp!

I won in doubles in 2016… and in singles in 2006

David Antonelli

« I haven't been on any circuit for three years, recalled the regular of the place. But I still play a lot of pro-ams and tournaments back home. And I hope to be able to find the financing to pass the cards in 2025. I know the Golf du Bassin Bleu particularly well. I won in doubles there in 2016 with Joel Stalter and even in singles the Grand Prix de La Réunion in 2006. I played this doubles tournament thirteen times. »

Romain Béchu is also away from the circuits, since the Covid-19 break.

« I haven't played any tournaments since Covid. Fatherhood and the desire to develop my show took me away from the circuits. I did a show again on the DP World Tour in the Czech Republic and it was great. It went really well and it really makes you want to persevere. »

Saving rain for a true championship course

All it took was a nice rain that miraculously fell on Wednesday evening on the heights of Saint-Gilles to considerably modify the course and give it back a little more of that flexibility which allows such talented players to be able to express themselves fully.

« The course suddenly became less dry and clearer. The greens remain firm, but the course is much more pleasant to play like this”emphasized Christian Verrougstraeteone of the former students of Golf du Bassin Bleu who is in the top 10 with Titouan Bernythe man from Colorado.

River and Caturla in ambush

Finally, Victor Riu et Stanislas Caturla, winners in 2022, are in ambush at -5 alongside the experienced Maxime Radureau et Anthony Grenierone shot ahead of the title holder Julien Quesne et Sebastien Vandooren who are in 13th place, just ahead of the friendly local pair of teachers Bruno Sagansan et Jean-Philippe Welterwell helped by their two eagles in a row at 8 and 9.

Photos : Golf Planet