The Englishman Luke Johnson has made his debut as a professional with a splendid victory in the Gecko Tour played this week at Los Naranjos Golf Club and La Quinta Golf & Country Club, in Marbella, Costa del Sol.
The young British golfer won with a total score of 208 strokes after three days of competition. A more than deserved victory for the player from King’s Lynn, not in vain he was the only one in the tournament capable of playing the three days under par. Much merit, because the playing conditions between Tuesday and Thursday have been particularly complicated. In this sense, we must highlight the fantastic presentation of the two courses, as always. All the players have highlighted the excellent preparation they have found both in Los Naranjos and La Quinta, at a very similar level to the one they find every week in the European Tour courses.
Johnson finished today at Los Naranjos with a round of 71 strokes, one under par, displaying a very solid game with three birdies and only two bogeys. Three strokes behind the winner, Carlos Rodiles and Sam Connor shared the second position, while Noemí Jiménez and Alfonso Gutiérrez finished fourth, with a total of three under par. Another great performance of the young Andalusian golfer. She has played three Gecko tournaments and has not dropped below fourth position.
Johnson is a promising English player, trained in his country’s prestigious national teams. He turned professional just over three months ago, after his friends and family organized a tournament at his club to raise funds to help him make the always difficult leap to professionalism. He has the support of Wilson, the firm that sponsors his equipment, and the professional Ian Poulter, whose clothing brand is responsible for dressing him. “His company takes great care of me and I’ve had the opportunity to have a few conversations with him. I think highly of Poulter, he’s a great person and different to what a lot of people think about him. He’s been a great advisor to me,” she explains.
Johnson’s goal is to play next season on the European Tour. That is what he has focused all his efforts and his calendar in 2016. The Gecko, without going any further, is a test bench to reach that stretch of the season, late summer, in the best possible way and with a lot of competition behind him. This is the second Gecko he has played this season. He already participated in the inaugural test in Torrequebrada, back in October, and finished in a very valuable fourth position. “I’m glad I came, the weather in England has been awful over Christmas and here it’s a joy. Playing the Gecko is always fantastic. Whenever I come here the course is always better. I’m very proud to have won because I know the level here is very high, even with players who have been or are on the European Tour.”
The next Gecko event will be played from January 18 to 20 at Guadalhorce GC and Parador Golf courses.
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