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**truebluefan** · 04-19-2008, 09:32 PM

Toya Golf & CC, Wroclaw, Poland

**truebluefan** · 05-24-2008, 11:27 PM

All eyes will be on Sweden’s Joakim Haeggman and Paraguay’s Marco Ruiz after two of the biggest names in the field were paired together on day one of the inaugural DHL Wroclaw Open on the European Challenge Tour.

The pair currently lie ninth and seventh respectively in the Challenge Tour Rankings, with one victory each to their names this season – Haeggman at the AGF-Allianz Open Côtes d’Armor, and Ruiz at the 102nd Abierto VISA de la Republica presentado por Peugeot.

Ruiz comes into the tournament, played at Toya Golf and Country Club in Wroclaw, Poland, as one the form players after a series of solid performances on both The European and Challenge Tours.

The Paraguayan’s recent run started with top 15 finishes at both the II Club Colombia Masters on the Challenge Tour and the Open de España on The European Tour at the start of the month, before his pursuit of a full-time return to The European Tour International Schedule took him to Italy.

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**truebluefan** · 05-24-2008, 11:28 PM

Five consecutive birdies on the back nine shot Wil Besseling of the Netherlands to the top of the leaderboard on eight under par on day one of the inaugural DHL Wroclaw Open on the European Challenge Tour.

Standing on the 13th tee at Toya Golf and Country Club in Wroclaw, Poland, Besseling trailed the early clubhouse leader Jean-Nicolas Billot of France by three shots. But some scintillating golf saw the Dutchman better Billot’s round of 64 by two strokes, and so set a new course record.

Challenge Tour rookie Besseling, who already has one victory to his name at the II Club Colombia Masters, said: “That first win gave me a lot of confidence, and set me up for the rest of the season. It made me re-think my priorities and realise that it’s possible to get onto The European Tour. I know Joost Luiten very well. What he did last year was great, and if I can do the same I will be very pleased.”

In the morning session Billot had countered the cold weather with some hot scoring, collecting seven birdies and a solitary bogey.

The man from Lyon, who was joined on six under par later in the day by Sweden’s Kasper Jorgensen, is seeking to better his only top 20 finish so far this season, at the AGF-Allianz Côtes d’Armor Bretagne in his native France.

He said: “My results this season have been OK. I’ve made every cut so far, but not come close to winning. My best finish so far was tied 19th in Brittany. If I can finish higher here, I will be a very happy man.

Complete article

**truebluefan** · 05-24-2008, 11:30 PM

After reaching the turn in 29 Mattias Eliasson’s thoughts had turned to the magical mark of 59, but in the end the Swede had to settle for a round of 62 to lead by two shots from England's Andrew Willey on the second day of the DHL Wroclaw Open.

Following an opening round of 66 which featured a brace of eagles but also a trio of bogeys, consistency, concentration and control were the watchwords for Eliasson, whose five consecutive birdies on his front nine have put him in sight of his maiden European Challenge Tour title.

Eliasson, on 12 under par after the two days, said: “My round today was much more consistent, mainly because my putter was working. It was one of those days when most things went right. Even though I didn’t stiff all of my approach shots, most of my putts seemed to drop. It’s nice when it works out, because it doesn’t happen very often.

“After nine holes I was definitely thinking about shooting 59, because I’ve never done that before – not many golfers have. I’m still happy with a 62, although I would’ve liked to have taken the course record from Wil [Besseling].

“But obviously my main goal now is to win the tournament, because I’ve never won on The European Tour or the Challenge Tour before.”

The same applies to Willey, who is playing his maiden season on the Challenge Tour after finishing second in the PGA Europro Tour Rankings last year.

He added a round of 64 to his opening day 66 at Toya Golf and Country Club in Wroclaw for a ten under par total, to sit in second place on the leaderboard.

Complete article

**truebluefan** · 05-24-2008, 11:31 PM

Avid Arsenal fan Gary Clark is hoping to make his big match experience count when he embarks on the final round of the DHL Wroclaw Open on the European Challenge Tour, an event he leads by one stroke from fellow Englishman Andrew Willett and Denmark’s Kasper Jorgensen.

This season Clark played in the final group on the last day at both the Tusker Kenya Open on the Challenge Tour and the Madeira Islands Open BPI – Portugal on The European Tour and, although he failed to win either event, he enjoyed being the centre of attention.

The Londoner, whose round of 63 at Toya Golf and Country Club gave him a 14 under par total, said: “It’s something I’m comfortable with, so it shouldn’t be a problem. I didn’t quite finish off the job in Kenya or Madeira, so it’s probably about time that I did!”

Willey, who carded four birdies and a bogey to sign for a round of 67, said: “I probably will have a few nerves, but it’s how you deal with them that’s important. I’ll sleep well tonight and come out fresh tomorrow, then let fate take its course. But I’m very determined to win, having played well until now.”

Earlier in the day Jorgensen, despite having only arrived as a reserve on Wednesday after learning of a late withdrawal, finished on 13 under par thanks to some fine putting.

The young Dane, who posted eight birdies and a solitary bogey en route to a round of 63, said: “The opening day was basically my practice round, and I played pretty well, so maybe I should arrive late more often! I didn’t strike the ball as well today, but my putter was really hot. I hope it’s working just as well tomorrow.”

Complete article

**truebluefan** · 05-26-2008, 02:56 AM

It may be unlucky for some, but 13 proved the magic number for England’s Gary Clark after he finally ended his drought with victory at the inaugural DHL Wroclaw Open on the European Challenge Tour.

Since turning professional 13 years ago, the Londoner has finished runner-up three times on the Challenge Tour but never entered the winner’s enclosure – until now.

Clark held his nerve and fended off a late surge from his compatriot Gary Boyd to pick up a winner’s cheque for €24,000 and go second in the Challenge Tour Rankings.

His 18 under par total featured a staggering 20 birdies and just two bogeys across four days at the picturesque Toya Golf and Country Club in Wroclaw, Poland.

Clark said: “It's taken a while, but we got there in the end. What a relief! They say good things come to those who wait, but I was starting to doubt them. It’s a great feeling.

“I knew I had a two shot lead coming down the last, so it was just a case of not making any silly mistakes and just holding it together. Fortunately I did.

“I didn’t look at the leaderboard on the front nine, because I was only one under par so I was worried someone might’ve overtaken me. But then a couple of birdies after the turn got me going, and I holed a key putt for par on the 13th which held me together. After that, I never really looked back. I knew once I got going it would've taken an unbelievable round to overtake me - and fair play to Gary [Boyd], because he nearly did.

“I've played very well all week really, and carried that into today's round. I only really struggled on two holes - on most of the rest, I probably had birdie chances. If I'd putted better maybe I would've won by more, but I'm not going to worry about that. I'm just going to enjoy the moment.

“I'll head to Manchester next week in good spirits, and see where it takes me. But having waited 13 years for my first win, hopefully I won't have to wait another 13 for my next one. Winning this event has given me great confidence, and hopefully now I can carry that with me through the rest of the season.”

Rising star Boyd posted the lowest round of the day, a 63, to finish in second on 16 under par, with Germany’s Richard Treis and Scotland’s Richie Ramsay two shots further back in a tie for third.