Turkish Airlines Open 2015: Winner Victor Dubuisson’s tears show what it means
He has had a woeful year so it was very much a case of Turkish delight for an emotional Victor Dubuisson on Sunday as the Frenchman secured his first European Tour title since his breakthrough success on the same course two years ago.
The 25-year-old was in floods of tears on the 18th green in Antalya after carding a closing 66 to finish 22 under par to beat South Africa’s Jaco van Zyl by a single stroke and claim his second Turkish Airlines Open crown. He also scooped the €1 million first prize.
It was a good week on the whole for world No3 Rory McIlroy, although it simply did not happen for him during the final round.
He started it just a shot off the lead but a round of 71, including three bogeys, left him six shots shy and in joint sixth-place in the end. England’s Chris Wood recorded a fifth-place finish after posting 17 under for the tournament and that was a really fantastic performance from him.
But returning Victor’s tears show what it means to Victor, there is clearly something we don’t know about.
In the aftermath of his victory, he alluded to personal issues and feeling isolated and lonely while playing on the PGA Tour at the beginning of the year.
I guess he just wasn’t very happy being in America and away from home. He loves his friends and he has a great group around him. It was a massive win and it was significant on many levels.
Sometimes when you lose form and go off the boil, you wonder whether you will ever hit previous heights again and it was clear for all to see what it meant to him and his coach.
Victor loves the game of golf and when things are firing he plays it beautifully.
HUGE RELIEF
Victor was unbeaten on his Ryder Cup debut at Gleneagles last year when he was ranked No17 in the world.
His slump in form, which had seen him post just one top-10 all season, resulted in him slipping to No69 before his weekend success.
He has returned to the top-50 and is now ranked No35, which will be a huge relief.
Victory also means Victor is leading the points race for Darren Clarke’s European Ryder Cup team ahead of their showdown with the United States in Hazeltine next year.
HOTTING UP
Victor really was magnificent at Gleneages last September. He was cavalier and was a breath of fresh air. His wonderful long irons, drilled straight to the pin side, showcased his ability.
The race to qualify for the European Ryder Cup team started at the Russian Open last month and when that begins, everyone starts to focus that little bit more.
No matter who you are, you want to get those points sorted as early as possible.
Victor is on his way to the Ryder Cup, something he will be desperate for, while he is now placed seventh in the Race to Dubai standings.
Things are hotting up very nicely.