Victor Dubuisson made a winning return to competitive golf on Sunday.
The Frenchman claimed victory on the Alps Tour two years after retiring from the sport.
3
Ryder Cup hero Dubuisson made a winning return to golf in France on SundayCredit: AFP
3
The 35-year-old came out of retirement to win the Biarritz Cup on the Alps TourCredit: Getty
Dubuisson walked away from professional golf aged 33 in 2023 to pursue coaching.
However, he’s now back playing the game and Dubuisson showed no signs of rust as he triumphed in the 54-hole Biarritz Cup in his native France.
After rounds of 62, 65 and 61, Dubuisson beat Spain’s Jorge Maicas in a play-off to take home the trophy.
Reflecting on his win, he explained: “Those putts are never easy – especially uphill ones, which I don’t particularly like – and I had a few more than usual today.
“But once you hit a good putt, it’s out of your hands whether it drops or not. That last one was an excellent putt to finish with.”
The former Ryder Cup star also made an incredible gesture after his win at Biarritz Le Phare.
Duibuisson refused his £6,600 in prize money having taken part on the invitation of a sponsor.
Instead, he gave it up as a ‘gesture of personal principle’, with Maicas taking home the winnings as a result.
The 35-year-old has spent his retirement as a golf coach in Tenereife.
He now runs clinics for holidaymakers at the Abama Golf Resort, and it’s currently unclear if he is planning a permanent comeback.
3
Dubuisson was unbeaten across three matches at the 2014 Ryder Cup at GleneaglesCredit: Getty
Speaking last year about his decision to retire, Dubuisson explained: “I was feeling good with my game but I was just feeling bad with all the travelling and I felt like I wanted to do something else.
“I was not mentally in a good place. After 13 years I was tired of it and wanted to have a different life.”
As a player, Dubuisson was a two-time winner on the European Tour with victories at the Turkish Airlines Open in 2013 and 2015.
Meanwhile, he claimed top ten finishes at both the PGA Championship and The Open.
Dubuisson was also a member of the victorious European team in the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.
He ended the weekend unbeaten, halving his singles match against Zach Johnson as Team Europe won 16 ½ – 11 ½.
Trend Adj: ‘He won’t be able to talk’ – Tiger Woods was stunned by unheralded Italian when Ryder Cup last visited SpainWhen is the 2025 Ryder Cup?
The 45th Ryder Cup will be held at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York later this year.
Team Europe will defend the title they won in 2023 between September 26 and 28.
The holders are once again captained by Luke Donald, with Keegan Bradley leading Team USA.
Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy have already booked their places at the Ryder Cup, with 11 spots still up for grabs on each team.
American players have until the end of the BMW Championship on August 17 to secure one of six automatic berths.
As for Europe, their cut-off for automatic qualifiers is a week later following the British Masters.