Ain Sokhna, Egypt - Spectacular final round to kick off the 2023 Pro Golf Tour season in Egypt: In windy conditions at the Ain Sokhna Golf Club, Christian Bräunig secured his first title on the Tour with a 70 (-2) on the final day of the Red Sea Ain Sokhna Classic 2023. The German started the final round one stroke behind Antoine Pouguet after a 70 and 66 and pulled away from his opponent on a thrilling back nine with a spectacular eagle on the 17th hole. At ten under par overall, he brought a one-stroke lead home.

Of course, nerves played a big role in this close duel. On the final six holes, Bräunig managed two birdies and an eagle - but at the same time he also had to record two bo-geys. "It was very stressful at the end," admitted the 30-year-old from St. Leon-Rot Golf Club, who has the experience of 65 starts on the Challenge Tour, but is now celebrating his first victory on the Pro Golf Tour. The fact that Bräunig harmonises well with the course of Ain Sokhna was proven by his shared second place last year at the Red Sea Egyptian Classic. Now he did even better.

"I didn't really know the score and just wanted to do my thing. The last few holes with the strong wind were not easy today and I was really nervous on the 18th. I'm over the moon that I was able to finish it off." He will receive a cheque for €5,000 for his maiden title.

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Bräunig: Tension drops

"The victory really means a lot to me," Bräunig continued. "I played four years on the Challenge Tour, then a slipped disc set me back. Some things happened that didn't go so well for me. I'm 30 years old now and I knew that things had to start going in the right direction again. With the win right at the start, the tension that had built up for a long time is released."

A chip-in on the 17th hole provided a decisive margin. Bräunig missed the green of the par 5 after two aggressive shots with the driver and the long iron, but holed his chip out of the Bermuda rough for a big bird on the card.

Four Frenchmen behind the winner

Frenchman Pouguet finishes the first of four tournaments in Egypt at the start of the new season in second place on nine under par. His compatriots Antoine Auboin and Clement Guichard share third place. Carl Bertrand and Alexandre Liu (all France) follow in fifth place. The next stop on the Pro Golf Tour's Egypt tour is the Red Sea Egyptian Classic 2023 (19 to 21 March).