Staff WriterMartin Couvra announced his arrival on the big stage with a shock win at the Turkish Airlines Open.
The Turkish Airlines Open saw the 22-year-old DP World Tour rookie fire a brilliant final-round 64 at Regnum Carya, carding a 17-under-par total to finish two strokes clear of Haotong Li and Jorge Campillo.
Blistering Finale Seals Maiden Victory
Couvra, fresh from four top-tens in his rookie season, had led after 36 holes but stumbled in the third round with a 72, finding himself four shots adrift heading into Sunday.
Unfazed, he lit up the first six holes with four birdies, sparking a surge that lifted him back into contention and set the stage for a grandstand finish.
By the turn, Couvra had dropped shots at 8 and 10, sandwiched around a neat birdie at the ninth.
Yet, his resilience shone through: a hat-trick of gains from the 11th hole — courtesy of exquisite approach play — rocketed him back to the pointy end of the leaderboard.
Martin Couvra: It is just amazing to win in my first year on the DP World Tour. It’s just a dream. I wake up in the morning to win tournaments, but to win as early as this is just amazing, I’m really happy.
It was really difficult to keep calm and keep in good shape to close this round. But really happy about all of the decisions with my caddie, it was just amazing today. To close this tournament with this (trophy) is just amazing.
My heart was beating so hard today. But on the course it was just amazing, lots of discussions with my caddie during the round.
Yesterday was not a really bad day, just no momentum in the round, and at the end of the day I was still in a good position for today. So, I was just trying to keep positive after my third round. I feel like it was a good direction after today
It was amazing to see all of the players who are here with me this year (waiting to congratulate him after his round).
Li’s Charge and a Moment of Drama
China’s Haotong Li, bidding for a fifth DP World Tour win, matched Couvra’s opening salvo with three birdies in his first five holes.
A perfect approach to within four feet at nine turned in 30, but a wayward tree clip at 13 led to a bogey that stuttered his momentum.
As Couvra was birdieing the 14th to seize a two-shot cushion, Li was left searching for late magic that never quite materialised.
Campillo’s Late Push and Final Standings
Spain’s Jorge Campillo rallied with five birdies over eight holes from the eighth, issuing a late-race threat.
His bid faltered when his 17th-hole birdie attempt kissed the lip and stayed out, leaving him two behind in solo third.
Overnight leader Brandon Robinson Thompson carded a 72 to finish fourth on 13 under, while Joost Luiten and Matthew Southgate shared fifth on 12 under.
England’s Chris Woods joined a quintet at 11 under, notching his first DP World Tour top-ten since 2018 in a remarkable display of grit after chronic anxiety had twice derailed his progress.
Meanwhile, local favourite Leon Acikalin made history, becoming the first Turkish player to make the cut at his home open and concluding on seven under in a tie for 33rd.
What This Means for the European Swing
Couvra’s breakthrough at the Turkish Airlines Open injects fresh intrigue into the European Swing of the 2025 Race to Dubai.
A maiden title always carries weight, but to claim it in such authoritative style suggests this is only the opening chapter of a compelling rookie story.
As the tour rolls on to the next destination, all eyes will be on whether Couvra can harness this momentum — or if a seasoned campaigner will steal the spotlight.
Keep following our coverage for more insights, reaction and expert analysis as the Race to Dubai intensifies.
