PRESSBOOK MCBT 2024

GETTY IMAGES

Colin Montgomerie won at Constance Belle Mare Plage seven years ago

The eight-time European order of merit champion began the championship with a fne fve-under 67 and although he struggled at times on day two, he gave himself a chance in the fnal round with a closing birdie to get to seven under. However a double bogey at the second ruined any hopes of early momentum and although he got a shot back at the sixth he bogeyed the eighth to go out in two-over 38. His weekend was summed up by the four holes to start the back nine as a bogey was followed by two birdies - but then undid his good work with a double-bogey seven at the 13th. A missed eight-foot birdie putt meant he made fve consecutive pars to fnish his tournament at four under, well adrif of Baker and Grifths. Instead it was Keith Horne of South Africa who had roared into contention with four birdies in fve holes from the 2nd before he made a three at the par four ninth to go out in 31 and get to 13 under. A double-bogey at 12 damaged his charge and although he got shots back at 14 and the last it was not enough. Afer a lively start to his fnal round, Da Silva produced some steady golf to see himself over the line in the order of merit race. He began with two birdies and two bogeys before settling down, with a string of pars and three more birdies for a 69 and a share of seventh to fnally clinch the John Jacobs Trophy afer a phenomenally consistent season.