Evans makes stunning recovery

Staplecross-based Evans gained 33 places over the last two rounds to finish tied 11th in the section C tournament at Golf d’Hardelot, northern France.

Evans was tied 49th after a five-over-par first round 76 on Tuesday. He was actually one-under after his first 11 holes before shedding six shots in the closing seven.

The member of Rye and Sedlescombe Golf Clubs advanced slightly to tied 44th following a second round 73 the following day before producing a magnificent 64 on day three to shoot up to tied 17th.

At a time when he desperately needed it, Evans carded nine birdies in his lowest score of the year. It was also the best round of anyone in the 70-strong field across the four days.

He completed the turnaround with a closing 69 - featuring three consecutive birdies on the back nine - on Friday for a two-under-par total of 282, six behind American winner Kelly Kraft.

The top 19 players from Golf d’Hardelot go through to the Second Stage at four golf courses in Spain from November 7-10. The Final Stage is at PGA Catalunya Resort near Barcelona from November 24-29.

A professional since late 2007, 25-year-old Evans is 156th on the European Challenge Tour Rankings having made just four cuts all year and one since early June.