PRESENTATION – Cyprus is the 49th country to host a European Tour event. In Paphos, for two weeks and in two very different game formats, the players, including twelve French, will have to tame the Aphrodite Hills, a par 71 damn physical.
Before the Masters break scheduled from November 12 to 15, Cyprus is the last European destination on the 2020 European Tour calendar, terribly upset by the Covid-19 pandemic. It is also the first time since 1972, when it was created, that the Tour has stopped on this island, a veritable crossroads of civilizations since antiquity. Its typical Mediterranean climate promises more than 340 days of sunshine per year. Spring and autumn are therefore the most favorable seasons for golfing thanks to the temperate temperatures. This is why the officials of the European Tour did not hesitate for a single second to add the Cypriot meeting to its exercise.
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The field of this Cyprus Open, first of the name and composed of 105 players, will have between Thursday and Sunday to tame the par 71 of Aphrodite Hills, 6,361 meters long, and to be in good physical condition. Inaugurated in 2002, signed Cabell Robinson, this course offers significant differences in level within a resort that one could cross on the east coast of the United States. The cart is also highly recommended for amateur players. But prohibited for the pros. From hole n ° 3, a par 5 of 573 meters, you will be amazed with a departure that offers the opportunity to cross a ravine 200 m in length. It is undoubtedly one of the hardest holes with a drive that becomes a real challenge when blowing from the front. The panorama is even more incredible at the start of hole n ° 7, a par 3 of 156 meters: 300 m of vertical drop separate the start of the green. Here, the scenario is simple: either you touch the green, and the birdie is largely playable, or your ball ends its course in the ravine! The next par 4 (323 meters) is also sublime with the sea as a backdrop. The back holes are a bit more conventional but if the wind kicks in, the bill can quickly get tough with in particular this hole 18 (par 5 of 492 meters) defended by a frontal pond and a green postage stamp. .
Levy, Langasque and Hébert back
We will therefore follow with great interest certain bombers on the circuit such as the Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts, last winner of the French Open and who has just finished second (tied with the English Laurie Canter) in the Italian Open. won by another Englishman, Ross McGowan. Absent last week in Brescia, several French people are returning to the game like Alexander Levy, 16th in the Scottish Championship two weeks ago, Romain Langasque, resting from the BMW PGA Championship, or even Benjamin Hébert, who remains on a beautiful top 20 at the Scottish Open (18th) but also on three missed cuts between the Andalucia Masters and the BMW PGA Championship.
Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Open (European Tour) – 1,000,000 euros prize
Players to watch
Jorge Campillo (Esp), Sami Välimäki (Fin), Pablo Larrazabal (Esp), Marcus Kinhult (Sue), Paul Waring (Ang), Joost Luiten (PB), Sam Horsfiled (Ang), Andy Sullivan (Ang), Jamie Donaldson (PdG), Nicolas Colsaerts (Bel), Kristoffer Reitan (Nor), Matthias Schwab (Aut), Thomas Detry (Bel), Richie Ramsay (Eco), Gavin Green (Mal), Chris Paisley (Ang), Joakim Lagergren (Sue ), Julian Suri (USA), Ross Fisher (Ang), David Horsey (Ang), Tapio Pulkkanen (Fin), Sebastian Heisele (All), Marcus Armitage (Ang), Laurie Canter (Ang), Will Besseling (PB), Bryce Easton (AfS), Louis De Jager (AfS).
The French engaged
Alexander Levy, Romain Langasque, Joël Stalter, Damien Perrier, Benjamin Hébert, Matthieu Pavon, Robin Roussel, Antoine Rozner, Adrien Saddier, Robin Sciot-Siegrist, Grégory Havret, Clément Sordet.
To follow the Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Open (European Tour) on TV:
Thursday 29 October, 1st round: 10:30 am (Golf +)
Friday October 30, 2nd round: 10:30 am (Golf +)
Saturday October 31, 3rd round: 11:00 a.m. (Golf +)
Sunday November 1, 4th round: 10:30 am (Golf +)
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