World No 322 Quesne springs shock with Andalucia Open win

Little-known Frenchman Julien Quesne equalled the Aloha course record to become the shock winner of the Andalucia Open yesterday.

The 31-year-old had never previously finished higher than 16th in any European Tour event, but birdied four of the last five holes for a 64 and two-stroke victory over Italian teenager Matteo Manassero.

Challenge Tour graduate Quesne, ranked 322nd in the world, said: “I think it’s the best day of my life – I will remember this day all of my life.”

The eight-under-par round was the lowest of his career on the main circuit and the £139,039 first prize more than doubled his earnings since he made his debut eight years ago.

Joint-sixth when he teed off, Quesne finished a front-nine 32 with back-to-back birdies, but it was the three in a row from the 14th which put him out in front.

That run was completed with a magnificent two putts from well over 60 feet at the long 16th, but his closing seven-footer on the difficult 18th always looked likely to give him victory.

Eighteen-year-old Manassero, who opened the tournament with a 64, took second place on his own when overnight leader Eduardo de la Riva bogeyed the last to drop into third place.

Richie Ramsay finished as the leading Scot, the Aberdonian tying for 33rd after closing with a 69 for 283.