Charles Larcelet (European Golf Association photo)
Charles Larcelet won the prestigious French Amateur Stroke Play Championship (Murat Cup) on Sunday at Golf de Chantilly in Vineuil-Saint-Firmin, France.
Heading into the 36 holes on the final day, the French player was in a six-way tie for 10th place after opening with rounds of 71 (par) and 72 (+1).
Players struggled to score in round three, a one-over-par 71 from Larcelet was enough to climb him into a tie for fourth position.
Former Jacques Léglise Trophy player, and 2018 European Amateur Championship bronze medallist,
Jerry Ji, who plays collegiatly at Illinois, carded a four-under-par 66 on Sunday morning to take a three-shot lead after 54 holes.
Larcelet made three birdies on the front nine of the last round to get within three shots of Ji. Four additional birdies from the Foret d'Orient player in the space of five holes from the 11th to the 15th, a stretch which saw Ji make two bogeys, meant Larcelet jumped into the lead on four-under-par.
Four pars to close out the day meant Larcelet would sign for a five-under-par 66 and claim the trophy by a three-stroke margin.
"At the moment, it's difficult to believe that I've won the Murat Cup. For the last two or three weeks, I've been visualizing lifting it every evening" said Larcelet.
The 2018 German Boys' Open Champion was ranked 746th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking heading into the week, and will no doubt see his ranking improved on Wednesday.
"The best part is that in 30 years, when I come back, my name will still be here. It's something that will never be erased."
Jerry Ji would finish as runner-up on one-under-par, while his compatriot, Stan Kraai, finished third on level-par. Recent Copa S.M. El Rey winner,
Koen Kouwenaar, and recent European Nations Cup individual champion,
Benjamin Jones, finished tied in fourth place. France's
Quentin Debove was awarded the Jean-Louis Dupont Trophy for having the lowest total over the first 36-holes.
ABOUT THE French Amateur Stroke Play
72 hole stroke play championship with a cut
to
the low 40 and ties after two rounds.
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