Bernd Ritthammer is hoping his inspired run of recent form will culminate in a maiden European Challenge Tour victory at this week’s Kazakhstan Open in Nurtau Golf Club, where he sealed a career-changing result two years ago.
The German finished in tied third place at this very venue in 2011, behind winner Alvaro Velasco and runner-up Knut Borsheim, a result which rocketed him up the Rankings and earned him a place at the Challenge Tour Grand Final in Italy.
While he could not go on to secure a European Tour card via that route, his top 45 finish in the Challenge Tour Rankings meant an automatic place at Qualifying School Final Stage later that year, from where he claimed his place on The 2012 Race to Dubai.
While he had a disappointing season in the big league last year, he feels he learned a lot and, following consecutive top ten finishes in his last two appearances, believes he returns to the Central Asian nation a much stronger player.
“It was the biggest result of my career,” said the 26 year old. “It got me into the Grand Final in 2011 too which was great. This year is a bit different, I'm a bit higher up in the Rankings and playing really nicely but haven’t got that win yet.
“Of course, that is what I'm targeting this week, like every week. This week would be perfect to do it but the field is strong and I just have to play good golf first of all and see what happens.
“Obviously I'm targeting top 15 in the Rankings but I'm 34th right now so I still have a lot to do to get there. I feel like my game is in good shape. Last week in Ukraine I played nicely but had a bad third round.
“I am really hoping I might be able to win soon but if I keep playing like I am, the results will take care of themselves.”
The players have been extremely complimentary of the course this week, one of two venues which is used on rotation in Almaty, and Ritthammer is no different, especially considering his strong performance here last year.”
“It’s one of big weeks this week and I really like this course, thick rough and the fairways are tight,” he said. “The green will be firm so you really have to be good off the tee. You have to think about what club you take off almost every tee.
“It’s quite fun to play, it’s never boring and the weather is always great too. It’s quite a nice week and that’s why I played well here two years ago.
“If you have played well on a golf course before it means it suits you and the set-up is very similar to what it was two years ago, so I cannot wait to get started.”
Young Dutchman Daan Huizing, meanwhile, is hoping to continue his incredible run of form on the Challenge Tour, which has drawn comparisons to that of 2006 graduate Martin Kaymer.
Like Frenchman François Calmels and Andrea Pavan of Italy, who have also won twice this season, Huizing is chasing a third victory to secure automatic promotion to The European Tour.
