Dreieich, Germany – The finale of the German Swing could not have been more thrilling: After the first two events of the new tournament series were decided in playoffs, the 2026 VcG Neuhof Open also went into a playoff. This time, three players faced off: the Frenchmen Alexandre d’Aurelle de Paladines and Antoine Bachelier and the German Leon Breimer. After three rounds at the historic and challenging Golf-Club Neuhof, the trio was tied at six under par. In the playoff, d’Aurelle de Paladines's fantastic iron shot determined the deserving winner. The resulting birdie on the second extra hole earned the 24-year-old his first victory on the Pro Golf Tour. Breimer and Bachelier settled for their best results of the season.
Keep a Cool Head in Hot Conditions
All three players who made it to the playoffs were aiming for their first Pro Golf Tour title. For the first time ever, D'Aurelle de Paladines was among the leaders on the final day. However, he revealed afterward that he hadn’t felt any nerves. "My goal was to enjoy the day and gather as much information as possible about my game to analyze later with my coaches." The two bogeys he made on the front nine on the final day didn’t change that. "Things like that happen in golf. They didn’t rattle me at all." On the contrary: Three birdies on the back nine gave d’Aurelle de Paladines his second consecutive 71 after starting the tournament with a 68.
The intense summer heat was also present at the Neuhof Golf Club throughout the three-day tournament. However, D'Aurelle de Paladines didn't let it rattle him. "The conditions are what they are," he said. "You can't pick and choose whether it's rain, wind, or heat. You have to adapt." So, before the tournament, he bought a new pair of linen pants. "Probably the best decision of the week," he admitted with a smile. D’Aurelle de Paladines also expressed his heartfelt thanks to all the members, volunteers, and the entire organizing team at the Neuhof Golf Club. They took such good care of the players. "It was truly wonderful. The organization was outstanding. There were coolers with ice-cold water all over the course. That’s an incredible amount of work and deserves great respect.”
D'Aurelle de Paladines's first-ever victory propelled him to 18th place in the Order of Merit. The top three in the season standings—Dario Antonisse (Netherlands), Kristof Ulenaers (Belgium), and Philipp Macionga (Germany)—remain unchanged. Meanwhile, Switzerland’s Mauro Gilardi moved up to fourth place, and Louis Bonte of France moved up to fifth. The next points will be awarded at the 2026 Gradi Polish Open by Emeralld, which will take place from July 1 to 3.
A great German Swing premiere!
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Neuhof Golf Club and the title sponsor, VcG (the Association of Independent Golfers), for making this event possible. Their dedication played a key role in shaping the event. The VcG Neuhof Open was the third and final event of the inaugural German Swing on the Pro Golf Tour. This tournament series was a premiere that was more than successful for everyone involved. The organizers are very positive about the outcome. At the same time, they are looking forward to future collaborations.
Peter Zäh, the Pro Golf Tour's managing director, said: "We'd like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the VcG, whose commitment made this German Swing possible in the first place. The three tournaments have demonstrated the potential of German golf and the importance of high-quality competitive opportunities within the country for developing young players. With the Owingen-Überlingen Golf Club, the Cologne Golf and Country Club, and the Neuhof Golf Club, we secured three outstanding venues that offered ideal conditions for challenging tournament golf with their distinct characteristics. The German Swing was a win for the Pro Golf Tour in every respect: athletically, organizationally, and in terms of future prospects. We are convinced that this format will make a lasting contribution to talent promotion, and we look forward to continuing on this path with strong partners.”
Marco Paeke, the managing director of VcG, said: "As a promoter of golf in Germany, our primary goal is to support the development of the sport and provide impetus where there is a particular need for support. The 'German Swing' is a good example of this. We are pleased that our involvement in the Pro Golf Tour enables us to provide valuable professional-level experience to young talents and accompany them on their path to becoming part of the international elite. We see this as one of our missions: to further develop golf in Germany and provide targeted support where it is most needed.”
Achim Battermann, Vice President of the German Golf Association, said: "We thank VcG for its long-standing commitment to German golf. Through its support of the German Swing, VcG is making a valuable contribution to the development of competitive golf in Germany. We would also like to thank the Pro Golf Tour, which offers young players a professional platform through its tournament series and thus plays a decisive role in promoting the next generation of golfers."
