Rookie Blixt savours first taste of victory
Remarkably, three players equalled the CourdeValle course record of 62 this week, but none of them could finish higher than fourth.
Instead, Swede Blixt became the third Tour rookie to claim a title this season as a four-foot par putt at the last saw him finish 16 under after a three-under final round, one ahead of Tim Petrovic and Jason Kokrak.
“It’s unbelievable,” the 28-year-old said: “I have no words right now. This is the biggest dream I’ve ever had.”
Petrovic came from nowhere to challenge with a seven-under-par 64 which included an eagle at the par-five ninth, while Kokrak, like Blixt, had a 68.
Jimmy Walker carded a 62 to become the third player to equal the course record in the event and take a share of fourth alongside another of that trio, John Mallinger, Brazil’s Alexandre Rocha and Fiji’s Vijay Singh.