Perrier's record-equalling 62 puts him in pole 

position at Czech Challenge

FROM THE CHALLENGE TOUR WEBSITE
Damien Perrier equalled the course record of 62, set by Brooks Koepka in 2013, at Golf and Spa Kunetická Hora to move into position for a maiden European Challenge Tour title at the D+D REAL Czech Challenge.
The Frenchman carded 11 birdies and one bogey en route to a ten under par round which elevated him to a 20 under total, one shot clear of Englishman Jordan L Smith - who is chasing a second victory of the season.
Perrier, whose best Challenge Tour result to date in 61 appearances is a tied ninth finish back in 2010, followed current World Number 16 from the USA, Koepka, into the history books at the Czech venue with a round which set fire courtesy of three successive birdies from the second and finished with three birdies in the final three holes.
The 26 year old was delighted to be in such esteemed company and called it the best round of his career.
“It’s such a good feeling,” said the former British Boys Amateur Champion from Brittany. “It’s not every day you play this kind of golf, so I’m really happy with the round and to tie the course record with Koepka.
“I played really solid but it’s really weird - since the beginning of the year I have felt like I’m playing well but I’m just finishing 30th or 40th.

“I had my best score of the season yesterday with a seven under round. Then I was talking to Marina, my girlfriend and caddie, saying, ‘I can go lower than this’, because I had a lot of opportunities between eight and ten feet. I kept playing with that same strategy today and it’s just a great feeling to make 11 birdies.”
Having shone in the amateur scene and played in teams alongside the likes of Victor Dubuisson and Romain Wattel, Perrier believes it is high time he began to make bigger strides in his professional career.
“I turned professional eight years ago and I’ve only had two seasons so far on the Challenge Tour,” he said. “I have always played well and put myself into contention on the smaller tours – I’ve graduated twice from the Alps Tour.
“At 26 years of age, turning 27 soon, I want to start doing that on this tour. This is the next step for me in my career and I am still waiting for it to happen, so I’m happy about these three rounds.
“I have put some pressure on myself because I really want it, and I see my friends like Romain Langasque, Clément Sordet and Matthieu Pavon doing well, so I want to follow them but finally I am not so far away from where they are.
“I’m a little bit older than those guys though. My generation is more Dubuisson and Wattel and I played in boys’ teams with those guys, who have been on the European Tour for many years and winning there, so it’s time for me to go.
“It’s time to get results like the guys are doing this year, not just feeling like you’re not far away but not at the top. It’s an important round and a good score for three days.”
Smith, winner of the inaugural Red Sea Egyptian Challenge Presented by Hassan Allam Properties last month, is happy to once again be in contention following a five under par 67 which earned him outright second place.
“I didn’t hit it quite as well as I did in the first few days,” said the 23 year old. “On the front nine I played really nicely and then on ten, 11 and 12 I had three putts inside 12 feet which were makeable, but I missed all of them.

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