Raphael Jacquelin hopes to retain Sicilian Open title this season
Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin will be returning to his favourite hunting ground in Sicily to retain the title he won last year.
The 37-year-old Jacquelin landed the coveted title on the European Tour amid a strong line up, clinching the trophy by one stroke against a rampaging Anthony Wall of England.
Winner of three European Tour titles, Jacquelin was not able to bag another title for the rest of the year but is hoping to retain the title he won last year.
He insists that he is in top form for the moment. He said, “It’s cool to be the defending champion. It’s what every professional aspires to, it’s why we play the game”.
The event will be staged at the scenic 7,375 yards, par 72 course at Verdura Golf & Spa Resort and Jacquelin has done all the necessary homework to tackle the tough layout.
He added, “I hear the new course is very good, so I’m looking forward to it. I think every player would like to defend more titles in his career, no matter who you are, and the majority of us don’t get to do it too often, so there is always something special about going back to a tournament as a defending champion”.
The Frenchman will be pitched against a tough field at the event, including the likes of teenage sensation Matteo Manassero, Major Champion Rich Beem and rising star Tom Lewis.
Jacquelin said that regardless of the fact that landing on a course where you have to defend a title is always tough but vowed that the pressure will do little to affect his game.
Jacquelin recalled the one stroke lead he had when he started off the final round but fell behind Wall who pulled in three birdies in a row to grab the lead.
It was Wall’s misplaced approach later which helped Jacquelin secure his third European Tour title. He said, “But I played well, and when you win those strange feelings quickly disappear”.
The Frenchman turned professional in the year 1995 and clinched his European Tour card in 1998 with an impressive bid on the Challenge Tour the previous year.
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