Adrien Saddier makes first DP World Tour title

The Frenchman earned a long-awaited breakthrough title in his 200th start on golf's Global Tour 12 months ago at Italy's national open.

Already with three top tens to his name by then, the confidence the win brought him saw Saddier come close to a second win of the campaign as he lost out to Alex Noren in a play-off at the BMW PGA Championship in the Rolex Series.

Those performances proved instrumental in him finishing a career-best ninth on the Race to Dubai Rankings Delivered by DP World, to finish as the fourth of ten players to play their way onto the PGA TOUR.

After a top-20 finish at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in honour of Gary Player towards the end of last year, Saddier has since played entirely on the PGA TOUR outside of starts at the US PGA Championship and U.S. Open.

The 34-year-old may have missed the cut last week at Shinnecock Hills, but he reflected on his momentous triumph at Argentario Golf Club 12 months ago with great satisfaction about the "bonus" of being able to further his career by playing stateside.

"It's quite exciting, to be honest, to be here," said the Frenchman, whose victory in Italy earned him his Major Championship debut at The Open last summer

"First time defending. I put this event in my schedule at the beginning of the year, and I'm looking forward to a good week.

"This victory was career-changing. I felt my shoulders were softer than before, there was less to carry. I just brought this confidence with me for the second part of the season, and I had some good results to qualify for the PGA TOUR.

"It’s different, not easy, for sure. I am struggling again to have some good results but being at the Majors is a nice experience.

"The players are stronger, the courses are tougher so it’s just great to play golf there and enjoy it. It’s pretty nice for me to know where I can improve my game. It’s just a bonus for me."