French golfer Jean Francois Lucquin now shares something in common with Richie Fowler – they’ve both defeated current World No. 1 Rory McIlroy in a play-off.
But while Fowler’s star is on the rise, Lucquin is returning to competition this week in the Madeira Islands Open for a first time in nine months since injuring his wrist last August in a Challenge Tour event hosted by Thomas Bjorn.
“I injured my left wrist playing in the Ecco Tour Championship in Denmark last year so this is first event since then,” said Lucquin.
“I then to a hospital in Geneva to have my wrist looked at and they said I had damaged the tendons.
“So while I couldn’t play golf I worked at a golf club in Geneva teaching amateurs until I could return to competition this week.
“But it’s been a long time since I waited for this week and I am looking forward to the week.”
However Lucquin will have the wrist strapped and indicated he continues to take medication and physio treatment.
Four years Lucquin snared the limelight and in the process leaving McIlroy stunned to capture the 2008 European Masters in Switzerland.
McIlroy was then ranked 172nd in the world and Lucquin outside the top-300.
The reigning U.S. Open will tee up this week in the Players Championship 850 places higher on the rankings than Lucquin.
Jean Francois Lucquin with his spoils in defeating Rory McIlroy four years ago in Switzerland.
“Beating Rory in a play-off was the highlight of my career and you could tell back then he was very talented,” said Lucquin.
“He was well below me in the World Rankings but I never doubted he would one day become the world’s best golfer.
“And here he is today again World No. 1 even after losing to Rickie Fowler in a play-off in the States last week.
“So I do feel somewhat special that I can say I once beat the World No. 1 and that’s just golf to see how his career has gone forward and I’ve been out injured for nine months.”
However the French golfer born on Christmas Day 1978 lost his Tour card at the end of 2010 and he attributed that to unsettling matters in his private life.
“This week is a new start and like a new beginning for me,” he said.
“I have put all my personal problems behind me and getting divorced shortly.
“Also the French golfers like Raphael Jacquelin and others have been great encouragement and I am looking forward one day to getting back on the main tour.
“Memories also of winning in Switzerland are still very fresh in my mind, so I know I can win again.”
