Ain Sokhna, Egypt - It was already clear before the final round that it would be a top-class final day at Sokhna Golf Club: Clément Guichard and Timo Vahlenkamp, two players from the top two places, went into the final without a single bogey on their cards after 36 holes played. It was an exciting duel at eye level right up to the last putt. Both reached the play-off with a total score of -20 - with the better end for the Frenchman Guichard, who managed a birdie on the first extra hole.

“That was incredible,” said an overjoyed winner, summing up the final day. "It was a tough battle with Timo on the course. This is my first win in a play-off. I'm very happy." The first victory in overtime, but already the second on the Pro Golf Tour. Guichard was already able to celebrate on the spot in 2023. Things were much more relaxed back then with a six-stroke lead. "I have great memories. The people here are very nice. The food is great too." And the layout of the perfectly prepared course also suits the 24-year-old. "We hit a lot with the driver and often have wedges into the green. That suits my game very well."

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Order of Merit of the 2025 Season

Guichard in top form
Guichard's victory came as no surprise. He had only finished one of the first six tournaments of the season outside the top 20. He even finished in the top ten three times. Guichard also impressed at the seventh tournament of the season. "I'm hardly making any mistakes at the moment and I'm holing a lot of putts. That gives me confidence." He also completed the first two rounds bogey-free. "I played very well. My chipping was perfect, the ball was always near the flag. I've never played so well."

A little nervousness was nevertheless noticeable at the start of the third and final round. "I wasn't calm and made a lot of mistakes on the first six holes. The birdie on the eighth and a lucky free drop on the ninth helped me a lot." Overall, Guichard recorded two bogeys and six birdies in the final round. Competitor Vahlenkamp was even able to continue his sensational bogey-free streak.

Guichard's goal for the season is clear. After his victory, he had already been promoted to the Hotel Planner Tour in 2023. Although he only made five cuts there, he used the time for training and learned a lot about his game. “It's not about making as many birdies as possible, but avoiding mistakes.” He managed to do both at the Ain Bay Red Sea Open. And he wants to return to the HotelPlanner Tour in the same form.

With his victory, Guichard improved to third place in the Order of Merit. Dutchman Lars van der Vight took the lead in the season standings, finishing the fourth event at the beautiful Sokhna Golf Club in joint third place. Filip Mruzek (Czech Republic), Martin Obtmeier and Carl Siemens (both Germany) complete the top 5.

The next tournament on the Pro Golf Tour is the Haugschlag NÖ Open by perfect eagle at the Austrian golf resort of Haugschlag from April 29 to May 1.