European champion Luca Cianchetti with the volunteers team after award ceremony.
Photo: Urmas Kamdron
Saturday 6th of August, Italian Luca Cianchetti was crowned European Amateur Golf Champion. This year’s European amateur golf championship was won by Italian Luca Cianchetti, who had to wait until the seventh play-off hole to overcome Norwegian Viktor Hovlandi.
At the end of normal play, both men stood at 16 strokes under par. They stayed level pegging until time ran out for Hovlandi on the seventh extra hole and the Italian managed to snap up the gold medal.
Third placed Czech, Simon Zach thrilled the gallery with and ace on the 10th hole which helped him to a finish six strokes under par for the day and -14 for the tournament.
"This was an exceptional experience, the more so because this was my first play-off experience on a grand stage. But today I think my key to victory was my playing partner who put up a brave fight until the very end" said Cianchetti. He also thanked his other team mates, and especially Stefano Mazzoli for his inspiring win last year.
"The course was great, it was challenging enough, and in fact on the first day I could only manage par," said the winner who now has an invitation to next year’s Open Championship. "Playing in the European Championship is a very great privilege and to win is truly extraordinary," he rejoiced.
Estonian Golf Association president Marko Kaljuveer said this competition was a four-day promotional event for golf. "And the end - the European champion was decided in a duel. I’m so pleased that so many people came along to watch and stayed right until the end "said Kaljuveer.
Watch the Golfing World higlights:
Photos:
- Day 3 by Urmas Kamdron
- Day 2 by Urmas Kamdron
- Day 1 by Joosep Martinson
- Behind-the-scenes photos by Hanno Kross
