Jordan Smith throws away the lead at the Open de France after bogeys in fourth, eighth and eleventh allowed the chasing pack to close in; Japan’s Ryo Hisatsune eventually convinced the Englishman to take his first DP World Tour title
Last updated: 24/09/23 7:20 PM
Ryo Hisatsune with the Open de France trophy
Japan’s Ryo Hisatsune produced an excellent finish to win the Cazoo Open de France, while England’s Jordan Smith blew an early six-shot lead at Le Golf National.
Hisatsune completed the tricky nine at the 2018 Ryder Cup venue in just 30 shots, scoring a closing 66 and securing his first DP World Tour title with a winning total of 14 under par.
The 21-year-old finished two shots clear of Denmark’s Smith and Jeff Winther, who set the clubhouse target thanks to a closing 65, including an excellent birdie at the 18th.
Hisatsune started the day with a four-shot lead shared by Smith and Ewen Ferguson and soon found himself six behind when Smith birdied first and second, while Ferguson and Japan’s Kazuki Higa got off to a nightmarish start .
Ferguson crossed the first green and into the water to score a double-bogey six, then dropped two more shots on the next after finding more water off the tee.
Higa made bogey on the first and followed Ferguson into the water on the second to make a triple bogey and effectively end his chances, but Smith could not build on the huge lead given to him.
Bogeys at the fourth, eighth and 11th allowed the chasing pack to close in and it was Hisatsune who finally overtook the Englishman, making birdies at the 10th, 12th, 13th, 15th and 17th to provide an untouchable target.
Live coverage of the opening day of the Ryder Cup begins on Friday, September 29 from 6am on Sky Sports Golf, with live programming starting on Monday, September 25. Stream the PGA Tour, DP Tour, Ryder Cup and more NOW.