As the world of men’s professional golf lives in a constant fractured state consumed by greed and money, the DP World Tour often serves as a needed cleanser and reminder of what makes golf such a special sport and difficult pursuit.
The European circuit is not fueled by $20 million purses or guaranteed money, but by dreams. It’s a mixture of young up-and-comers and journeymen looking to break through for the first time, rediscover their old selves, find their love for the game and vault their career upwards.
The DP World Tour is a weekly example of professional golf’s soul. The wins are often life-changing. The main characters are those whose stories are about sacrifice, struggle and grit. The dreams are not about legacy, immortality or zeroes on a paycheck, but about self-belief, love of the sport and enjoying the climb.
Sunday at the Italian Open gave us another such story as 33-year-old Frenchman Adrien Saddier shot a final-round four-under 66, which included five back-nine birdies, to chase down Martin Couvra and win for the first time in 200 career DP World Tour starts.
“It’s great,” Saddier said after the win through tears. “It’s great, sorry. It has taken so much work to be able to do this and I’m just grateful.”
Saddier bogeyed the eighth hole to fall further behind the 54-hole leader Couvra, but dug deep once he made the turn. He birdied 10, 11, 13, 14 and 16 to take a commanding three-shot lead.
“I started the back nine really good,, and I just said ‘just stay in your own zone, just keep focused, make the putts.’ And I did it,” Saddier said.
Saddier’s victory in Italy moved him up to No. 10 in the Race to Dubai Rankings, which puts him in a good spot to earn a PGA Tour card for next season. But the win also came with a place in the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush, which will be Saddier’s first major start.
“I have to cancel my flight to the U.S. for the [Barracuda Championship],” Saddier said while laughing and wiping away tears.
Asked who he liked to thank after finally getting his maiden win on the DP World Tour, an emotional Saddier broke down as he started to thank his parents.
“I have to thank my dad because he took the decision to bring me to golf when I was three,” Saddier said through tears. “I have to thank my mom. She let me play golf. Of course, my wife. It’s great.”
Adrien Saddier has been grinding in Europe for over a decade. His only other win came on the Challenge Tour in 2016. His highest Official World Golf Rank is 178. Now, he’s projected to move up to 130. Now, he’s going to play in the Open Championship. Now, he’s a DP World Tour winner.
As Adrien Saddier walked off the 18th green at Argentario Golf Club, his shirt soaked in champagne, it was a reminder that the best things in golf, whether they happen at Augusta National or the Italian Open, can’t be bought.
