Higgins’ heroic effort just falls short in Turin
Higgins, who managed just one previous top-three finish in more than 200 European Tour events, had birdied the 18th to match playing partner Steve Webster’s closing 68. However, a bogey at the 16th was the Waterville man’s downfall and meant he had to share second spot with Webster on 11 under.
France’s Julien Quesne claimed his second European Tour title thanks to a brilliant finish.
Higgins was happy with his efforts: “I was very lucky on the last, I hit an awful tee shot but got a good lie in the fairway bunker,” he said. “You still have to play the shot and I did and got the putt so I was delighted. I thought ‘How many chances am I going to get of maybe tying for the lead?’ so I said ‘come on, you’ve got to at least give it a good run and be positive with it’, it went right in the middle.
“I had good practice rounds at the start of the week and I am proud of myself for taking that into the competition itself. I haven’t had a finish like this in 17 years so I am delighted. I can do it and I just have to do it more often I guess.”
Quesne, whose previous win came in the Open de Andalucia last year, said: “I am very proud of this back nine.”
The victory lifts Quesne to 41st on the Race to Dubai – the top 60 qualify for the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai – while Higgins climbs from 163rd to 111th. The top 110 after the Perth International in mid-October will keep their playing privileges for 2014, meaning if Higgins can advance further he will avoid a 14th visit to the dreaded qualifying school.
* The European Tour confirmed the battle to qualify for Europe’s next Ryder Cup team will conclude at the Italian Open on Sunday, August 31, 2014. Captain Paul McGinley will name his three wild card selections the following day, with nine players qualifying automatically, the first four coming from the European Points List and the remaining five coming from the World Points List.
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