Matthis Besard is hoping to capitalize on the opportunities presented at this week’s Hainan Open after earning playing privileges at the last available opportunity.
Entering last week’s Abu Dhabi Challenge occupying 78th spot on the Road to Mallorca Rankings, the Belgian co-led after round two before eventually finishing fourth to leap 20 places on the season-long Rankings, comfortably inside the top 68 needed to qualify for the first two events of the Final Swing in China.
Besard said that he was delighted to extend his season and is looking ahead to the opportunities that are on offer over the back-to-back events in China, including increased purses and Road to Mallorca Ranking points.
“It’s nice,” he said. “Last week went well for me and now I’m here.
“I booked everything last minute but I’m happy to be here. Now that I’ve secured this, it’s on to the next and trying to see what else I can get out of this year so it’s exciting.”
Entering the Abu Dhabi Challenge, Besard had registered just one top ten all season, coming in the shape of a fifth-place finish at the German Challenge.
And despite registering five consecutive made cuts before last week, four of those five finishes were between 50th and 58th place, earning limited Rankings points.
The 26-year-old was subsequently thrilled that he was able to register his best finish of the season whilst under pressure, admitting that the top 68 was in his thoughts last week.
“It was on my mind,” he added. “I was fortunate enough to get off to a good start on Thursday and that really settled me into the event. I think it would have been different if I got off to a mediocre start and I felt like I needed to make a charge.
“It’s a bit strange, I’ve been working really hard all year and kind of felt towards the middle of the season that things weren’t really going my way and it wasn’t because of a lack of effort.
“Things just happened to fall into place last week and I think that if you do the right things week in week out then sometimes things work out. I’m glad I stuck to the process.”
Now, Besard has his sights set on more than just making up the numbers when he tees it up in Thursday’s opening round.
“I think all of us are here are trying to lock up our DP World Tour card, that’s obviously the goal, but I’m going to have to win one of the next three events to do that.
“The goal is to hopefully put myself in a spot in Mallorca to get my card on the DP but there’s so much that can happen.
“I’ve tried so hard this year to play well and there’s been plenty of weeks where I didn’t so I don’t think I can go ahead and try real hard. It’s going to happen if it happens.”
Besard currently sits outside the top 45 that earn playing rights in the Grand Final in Mallorca at the end of October, but will be hoping to play his way in over the next two weeks to avenge missing out agonisingly on the 2025 season finale.
“Last year I missed out on Mallorca by one place and I doubled the last too which was pretty brutal, but that’s just how golf is I guess.
“I’m very happy to have two more chances. It definitely feels like anyone out here is good enough to have a good week and win, I’m just pleased to have two more opportunities at it.
“Even if you make it to Mallorca, being exempt to Final Stage of DP World Tour Qualifying School is another opportunity to get that card so I’m just very pleased.”
Christopher Blomstrand once again leads the field into the Hainan Open as Road to Mallorca number one, with past champions Alexander Knappe and Hamish Brown returning to the site of their victories.
