Mohammedia/Morocco – “Incredible! I still can't believe it.” German national player Nick Bachem was surprised having wrapped up the biggest success of his tournament career so far in Morocco. On the very first day of the Open Royal Golf Anfa Mohammedia, the top amateur had already impressed on the par 72 course at Bahia Golf Beach, completing a flawless round of 67 with five birdies and taking the lead. “I never thought I'd end up in the lead, either,” said the champion. But he also had a really good handle on the traditional Royal Golf Anfa Mohammedia par 71 course, showing his qualities in putting on the excellent greens with his 71 in the second round and nerves of steel right until the end in the final round.

Strong wind challenged the players in the third round at times, but Bachem stayed focused and shared first place with Christopher Maclean after a round of 72. The Scot had made 69, 72 and 69 strokes and already lost out at the first extra hole in the play-off: his drive on the 18th, a 360 metre par 4, drifted right into the forest, Maclean could only set up the ball from there and had no chance to par in the end. Nick Bachem managed this effortlessly after a good tee shot and a strong approach, which allowed the German to take the trophy.

Plans for a professional career

For Nick Bachem, the title is additional motivation for his future plans: he will still compete as an amateur this year and will play for the Marienburger Golf Club in the 2nd national league but he wants to become a professional at the end of the year. “That's my plan, and of course I hope that I can prove that I can actually keep up with the professionals in the next few weeks.” Perhaps he will already succeed in doing so next week, when the Open Bahia Golf Beach is on the Pro Golf Tour 2020 tournament calendar from 10 to 12 March. His chances are not bad, after all he will be allowed to play Bahia twice, where he recorded a flawless round of 67 this week, as you know.