In a nail-biting finish that had spectators on the edge of their seats, Joel Moscatel clinched his second Challenge Tour title of the season with a dramatic play-off victory over Benjamin Hébert at the prestigious Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge.
The 25-year-old Spaniard, who began the final round sharing the overnight lead, showcased his resilience and skill under pressure.
Moscatel fired four birdies, including a crucial gain on the last hole, alongside two bogeys to card a two-under-par final round of 70.
This performance brought him to a 14 under par total, tying him with the Frenchman Hébert, who had an impressive five under 67.
In the decisive play-off, Moscatel’s steady par on the first hole was enough to secure the win, marking a significant achievement in his burgeoning career.
Reflecting on his triumph, Moscatel expressed his satisfaction, “I’m really pleased.
The start was not easy because I was not hitting good wedge shots, but (my caddie and I) played the 18th really well, and then the tenth hole in the play-off was the same.
The entire day I had holes where I had a chance to make a birdie and then I was fighting for the par.
We had a lot of par saves. They were really important – that’s what saved me today.”
The Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge victory is Moscatel’s second of the season, following his maiden title at last month’s Challenge de España in Sevilla.
This latest win not only boosts his confidence but also propels him into the top three on the Road to Mallorca Rankings, a critical position as he eyes promotion to the DP World Tour.
“Every tournament is different,” Moscatel noted. “Here I was much more nervous than in Sevilla, because I knew that winning here maybe guarantees my (DP World Tour) card.
In Sevilla I had no expectations but definitely that win gave me confidence to know that I could do it again.”
The competition was fierce, with Dutchman Wil Besseling, Spaniard Quim Vidal, and England’s George Mason sharing third place at 13 under par.
Close on their heels were Dane Christoffer Bring and Englishman Jamie Rutherford, finishing just a shot back in sixth.
This victory positions Moscatel ahead of Frenchman Alex Levy into third place on the Road to Mallorca Rankings, trailing only England’s John Parry in second and the current leader, Dane Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen. With the season heating up, all eyes will be on the next leg of the tour.
The Road to Mallorca now takes a brief hiatus before resuming with the Euram Bank Open at GC Adamstal in Austria from July 18-21.
This break will give players a chance to regroup and prepare for the challenges ahead as they vie for a coveted spot on the DP World Tour.
