New Turkish Airlines champion Victory Dubuisson has been quick to come down from the euphoria of his stunning two-stroke triumph at Belek.
Dubuisson, 23 was near speechless in learning the enormity of his victory ahead of the likes of World No. 1 Tiger Woods, current US Open champion, Justin Rose, present Race to Dubai No. 1 Henrik Stenson plus the likes of Major champions Charl Schwartzel, Louis Oosthuizen, Padraig Harrington and Paul Lawrie.
Ahmet Agaoglu, the proud President of the Turkish Golf Federation, chatting with Victor Dubuisson, and first-ever Turkish Airlines Open champion, on yesterday’s flight from Antalya to Istanbul. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
Dubuisson birdied the closing two holes on the Maxx Royal course to claim his maiden European Tour victory.
And as he traveled on Monday afternoon from Antalya to Istanbul before a connecting flight to Dubai, the Cannes-born player spoke of his victory.
“I was very much in a state of shock yesterday with everyone saying to me that I will get into the Masters and a whole lot of other tournaments, so there was so many things being said to me,” he said.
“I was just so focussed and it really took me all of the evening for it to really sink in I had won.
“But one of the first things I did this morning was to check the World Rankings and to see that I am now 39th in the world is very nice. It now means I am all the four Majors next year, the WGC events and many other tournaments so that is really good.
“However my focus is now this week’s final event in Dubai. I played last year and enjoyed the course but my goal now is to finish my year with another strong effort.”
In fact, the former world’s top-ranked amateur had commenced the year 139th in the world while he went into last week’s Turkish Airlines Open ranked 108th.
Dubuisson was recognised by many before boarding his flight to Istanbul and he sat in business class in the row ahead of Turkish Golf Federation President, Ahmet Agaoglu who again extended a congratulatory handshake.
The French golfer says he’s been inundated with text messages, tweets and emails.
“My phone didn’t stop all night and there has been so many messages including a special one from Thomas Levet,” he said.
“Thomas has been an inspiration to all the French golfers and to get a message from him was very nice.”
And Agaoglu indicated Woods is expected to return to Turkey for a third straight year and with the Turkish Airlines Open to again be the penultimate event in the European Tour Final Series.
The 2014 event will be staged from 13-16 November and again at the Montgomerie Maxx Royal course.
