Lev Grinberg, the Franco-Ukrainian amateur who shines in Paris

The young Ukrainian amateur Lev Grinberg, in the process of becoming a French naturalizer, got off to a perfect start to his FedEx Open de France with a card of 66 (-5) which allows him to finish 1st Tricolor after 18 holes, except for one detail… he is not not yet French!

Still an amateur, the young Ukrainian Lev Grinberg had a magnificent first round of the FedEx Open de France with a card of 66 (-5)! At almost 17 years old, the resident of the Golf National Training Center has perfectly respected his game plan with a certain talent. “ My game plan worked well and I was full of confidence for tomorrow », he explained in English after his game.

I have the chance to play at home since I don’t even have to leave the golf course to go to my room

Lev Grinberg

On an Albatros course that he knows like the back of his hand since he lives at the Golf National, the protégé of Kenny Le Sager was able to adapt to the particularly humid conditions of the course. “ It was my best lap here. This is the second time I’ve played it competitively, but I’ve never played it so well. The route is much easier when it is wet. It’s still a little more difficult in the rough. But overall it’s much easier when the course is soft, especially the greens. I made good putts at 8 and 15 for birdie. My big game was good too and my game plan was perfect. And it’s true that I have the chance to play at home since I don’t even have to leave the golf course to go to my room. »

Kenny Le Sager on the baton

An outbreak which is partly due to the work accomplished with Kenny Le Sagercoach of the Performance Center, who has been shaping himself for a year and a half. “ I’ve been around him for 3 years since he plays the same tournaments as Hugo Le Goff (Editor’s note: author of a good -1 at the opening of the French Open). Hugo spoke to me quite a bit about it. Lev was then living in Belgium. I knew he wanted to come to France. He came to train twice a week with us before joining the center. That’s when I really discovered it. About 18 months ago. He has progressed a lot since then. And he also learned the life of a high-level athlete. With all that that involves in personal investment. This mix of discipline and ambition can take him far. He has started to reap the fruits of his work since mid-May. »

Naturalization in progress…

Obviously upset by the situation in Ukraine, the young Lindberg waited for his French naturalization, while regularly taking French lessons, before leaving to complete his university studies in the United States. “It is actually planned that he will be naturalized French. But here, I have no control at all. I just know it’s happening, recalled Kenny Le Sager. He should then go to university in the United States in 2026, just like Hugo Le Goff, Oscar Couillau et Callixte Alzas. »

A destiny therefore partly suspended on the political decision to naturalize or not Lev Lindberg. The embrace of Pascal Grizot to his young protégé just after his game shows in any case that the FFGolf authorities are following this matter very closely. And we know the perseverance of the President of the FFG…