Matthieu Pavon ‘sad’ former Ryder Cup star ended career

Matthieu Pavon has enjoyed quite the rise in professional golf.

The 32-year-old only had his PGA Tour card for a month when he became the first Frenchman to win on the PGA Tour last year.

Pavon made history at the iconic Torrey Pines after earning his ticket to the States via the Race to Dubai, finishing inside the zone that landed him one of ten cards.

Now, he’s set his sights on the Ryder Cup.

Pavon would be just the fifth French golfer to wear the blue and gold of Team Europe if he was a part of Luke Donald’s 12-man side for September’s biennial clash in New York.

And a huge inspiration behind that goal is following in the footsteps of Victor Dubuisson, one of golf’s greatest enigmas.

Dubuisson, then 33, announced his retirement from the pro sphere in 2023, and Pavon claims the game is far worse without him.

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“For me, Victor is the best French golfer of all time,” Pavon told bunkered.co.uk.

“He was special and at his prime he was unbelievable. He could hit shots that nobody could. We miss him a lot, because Victor is a great guy, and he was really good for golf.

“It’s a bit sad that he decided to end his career.”

In his 13-year playing stint, Dubuisson won a Ryder Cup, two European Tour titles, and reached a world ranking high of 15th, a culmination of his immense talent on the course.

But he was a man of mystery and a reluctant celebrity off it and later admitted to struggling with life on tour.

That’s why Pavon wishes golf fans knew the other side of his golf hero.

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“It’s just sad that people know Victor only through golf and some of his bad behaviours whilst playing,” he added, “because he’s a very gentle guy.

“He was always really kind with me, just a nice guy. I wish people knew him more outside, rather than just the golfer that he was.”

There is no doubt in Pavon’s mind, however, that Dubuisson was one member of a crop of French talent that was severely ‘underestimated’.

And he is similarly bullish about the current group, who are now reshaping the country’s position in the golf world and bidding to end its major drought.

“France has had tremendous players over the years and now we need to have a major winner for our country,” he said. “It would help grow golf in France, so that’s really the next step if we want to make the sport bigger.”

• Read the full interview with Matthieu Pavon in issue 219 of bunkered, on-sale now from all good newsagents. Alternatively, subscribe here. International subscriptions also available.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.