Roope Kakko (born 13 February 1982) is a Finnish professional golfer.
Early life and amateur career Kakko was born in Espoo, Finland. He started playing golf at the age of five.
In 2004, Kakko became only the third amateur to win a tournament on the Challenge Tour, when he won his home event, the Volvo Finnish Open.
Professional career The win earned him a Challenge Tour card for the following season; having turned professional later in 2004, he joined the Challenge Tour full-time. He was a regular on the tour for the next five seasons, although he did not win again, with a best finish on the money list of 27th in 2008, when he was twice a runner-up. His strong 2008 season gained Kakko entry into a small number of European Tour events and he capitalised on those opportunities by making successive top-10 finishes at the 2009 BMW Italian Open and 3 Irish Open. Despite these successes, his limited playing opportunities meant Kakko returned to the Challenge Tour full-time in 2010, but at the end of that season he came through the Qualifying School to secure full membership of the European Tour for the first time. In October 2013, Kakko won at the National Bank of Oman Golf Classic on the Challenge Tour.
In August 2015, Kakko claimed his first victory on the European Tour at the Madeira Islands Open - Portugal - BPI. It was a dual-ranking European and Challenge Tour event.
In September 2024, Kakko won the final event of the 2024 Finnish Tour season, claiming the season-long Order of Merit title.
Personal life Kakko is married to former LPGA Tour golfer Minea Blomqvist; they have two children together.
Professional wins (8) European Tour wins (1) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner-up12 Aug 2015Madeira Islands Open - Portugal - BPI1−24 (66-71-64-63=264)3 strokes Scott Henry 1Dual-ranking event with the Challenge Tour
Challenge Tour wins (3) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner(s)-up14 Jul 2004Volvo Finnish Open(as an amateur)−11 (68-67-67=202)Playoff Phillip Archer, Johan Axgren227 Oct 2013National Bank of Oman Golf Classic−14 (70-69-66-69=274)2 strokes Lucas Bjerregaard32 Aug 2015Madeira Islands Open - Portugal - BPI1−24 (66-71-64-63=264)3 strokes Scott Henry 1Dual-ranking event with the European Tour
Challenge Tour playoff record (1–1) No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result12004Volvo Finnish Open(as an amateur) Phillip Archer, Johan AxgrenWon with birdie on first extra hole22008Margara Diehl-Ako Platinum Open Taco RemkesLost to birdie on first extra hole
Nordic Golf League wins (1) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner-up120 Jun 2004Sonera Open(as an amateur)−10 (68-67-71=206)Playoff Heikki Mäntylä
Finnish Tour wins (4) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner-up115 Sep 2018Vierumäki Tour Final−15 (73-66-62=201)8 strokes Jaakko Mäkitalo27 Jun 2020Finnish Tour I−17 (66-66-67=199)Playoff Matias Honkala316 May 2021Finnish Tour Opening−1 (72-72-71=215)Playoff Miki Kuronen414 Sep 2024Finnish Tour Final (2)−10 (68-67-71=206)Playoff Niclas Hellberg
Team appearances Amateur European Youths' Team Championship (representing Finland): 2002 European Amateur Team Championship (representing Finland): 2003
Professional World Cup (representing Finland): 2008, 2013
See also 2010 European Tour Qualifying School graduates 2013 Challenge Tour graduates
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