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PLAYING WITH JEFF..December 22nd, 2009One of our colleagues recently returned from Mauritius, where he played in the 2009 Mauritius Open, a popular and suitably relaxed Pro-Am event played this year on the south-west coast at Tamarina and Golf du Chateau.
In the first round of the event, he was drawn to play with European Tour and TaylorMade Staff professional Frenchman Jean-Francois Lucquin (who introduces himself to non-French speakers as Jeff!)
There are always a handful of excellent French pros who make the trip and this year’s contingent included Lucquin (who won the 2008 Swiss Open in a playoff with Rory McIlroy), Gregory Havret and Raphael Jacquelin. The event is popular with the French pros who can combine a few competitive rounds with a family holiday on the idyllic Indian Ocean island (where French is widely spoken).
Lucquin, who had just taken delivery of a new set of TaylorMade’s TP MB irons with conforming v-grooves, is a recent convert to the new Penta TP golf ball, for which he was full of praise. He also noted that he was not particularly concerned about the new grooves – but then with his incredible accuracy from the tee, the majority of his approach shots are from the fairway, so he doesn’t have to worry too much about flyers from the rough!
Playing the course “blind” without a practice round, Lucquin signed for a first-round two-under par 70, dropping two shots in his last three holes. He eventually finished a few shots behind winner Anthony Grenier, but declared he would be ready for the 2010 European Tour, which he will start with a visit to the African Open in January. Look out for him!
