France’s Matthieu Pavon makes history at Farmers Insurance Open

SAN DIEGO – Not only will Frenchman Matthieu Pavon remember his first victory on the PGA Tour, but his country will, too.

The 31-year-old made history on Jan 27, firing a three-under 69 to become the first golfer from France to win on the PGA Tour in the modern era with his victory at the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego.

“It is big because, as I said, I come from a special background,” he said, when asked if winning had special meaning.

“I think it is historic for the French golf. We have Celine Boutier, the French LPGA player who won Evian (a Major event) last year, which is an even bigger performance.

“It is big for us as a country. I hope it will inspire a lot of people because going from an amateur player who is 890th in the world to a PGA Tour winner, it’s pretty big.”

Playing on Torrey Pines’ South Course, Pavon recovered from a bogey at the par-four first hole to pick up five birdies against just one bogey for the rest of his round. He sank an eight-foot birdie putt at No. 18, putting him at 13-under 275 for the week, allowing him to squeak past Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard.

Hojgaard landed in second place with a 276 total after shooting a 70 on the two-time US Open course.

“You’ve got to take your losses with a smile sometimes because it makes you stronger,” Hojgaard said. “I’ll definitely do my best to get a couple of shots better.”

With the victory, Pavon became the first Frenchman since World War II to prevail in a PGA Tour event. The Tour’s modern era began in 1968.

Adding to the spectacle was the fact that he was appearing in just his 11th career PGA Tour event.

“I still can’t believe it. As I said, it feels like there is another round to play tomorrow because it’s only Saturday,” Pavon said.

“That is special. I can’t thank the PGA Tour enough to give us the opportunity to come from Europe and compete here in America against the best players in the world. That’s always been the dream for me. I got finally a shot and I took it.

“I mean, it’s a dream come true and it’s a little bit hard to believe.”

A three-way tie for third featured Americans Nate Lashley (67) and Jake Knapp (69) and German Stephan Jaeger (72), who were all two strokes off the lead.

Jaeger entered the final round with a one-stroke lead, but he was not able to hang on. Still, he was satisfied with the position he had put himself in as he went for his first win on tour.

“It was awesome, it was great. Listen, I didn’t have my best stuff golf game-wise. I battled, you know,” the 34-year-old said. “That was the story of my weekend here. But I didn’t have enough to really get going. I felt like if I putted decent, I’d have had a better chance of winning.”

Taiwan’s Kevin Yu, coming off a joint-third finish at The American Express last week, shot a 67 to tie for sixth at 278 along with Beau Hossler (68) and Tony Finau (69).

Max Homa failed to retain his title, finishing tied for 13th at 280 after a 69. REUTERS