Robert Rock, conqueror of Tiger Woods in Abu Dhabi in January, will probably have to win in Morocco this week to qualify for next month’s Masters.
The same almost certainly applies to Italian teenager Matteo Manassero after his second place finish in the Andalucian Open at Aloha yesterday.
The 18-year-old lost by two strokes to little-known French player Julien Quesne, who equalled the course record with his closing 64.
Rock came joint 17th and so, like Manassero, remains outside the world’s top 50 who will receive invitations to Augusta following this week’s Hassan Trophy on the European Tour and Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida.
Quesne won his maiden Tour title from the depths of 322nd on the rankings, never having finished higher than 16th in any event on the circuit before.
Four birdies in the last five holes swept the 31-year-old clear and after being sprayed in champagne by fellow French players he said: “I think it’s the best shower of my life.
“I dreamt about that for maybe 10 years and I am very proud of myself.
“To have a 64 in the last round and to birdie the 18th – the hardest hole on the course – I am very happy.”
The first prize of just over £139,000 was more than he had earned in his entire European Tour career.
Tournament host Miguel Angel Jimenez, who dipped into his own pocket to help finance the event, finished joint seventh and so the 48-year-old will have to try again to become the Tour’s oldest-winner winner.
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