As the Class of 2016, and an array of European Challenge Tour members, prepare to tee it up in the first European Tour events of the 2017 season, we profile five players who could make an impact in the Southern Hemisphere this week.
Romain Langasque
After a stellar rookie season on Europe’s top developmental tour, where Langasque finished ninth in the Road to Oman Rankings, the Frenchman teamed up with compatriot Victor Dubuisson at last week’s ISPS Handa World Cup of Golf. The former Amateur Champion, who led for two rounds at the 2016 Omega European Masters, fuelled his growing reputation with an outstanding display at Kingston Heath Golf Club, taking a share of second place with Ryder Cup winner Dubuisson. After claiming the biggest pay cheque of his career to date, half of €803,641, the 21 year old arrives on the Gold Coast as one of the form players at the Australian PGA Championship.
Jordan Smith
Also kicking off his 2017 Race to Dubai campaign this week is 2016 Road to Oman winner Smith. The 23 year old has not competed since claiming the Rankings crown in Muscat earlier this month, and the young Englishman will be raring to go on the European Tour after two wins, four further top fives and two other top tens on Europe’s top developmental tour last season. Competing in Australia, Smith will have the honour of hitting the first shot of the 2017 European Tour season, and he will be looking to get off to a good start and follow in the footsteps of former Challenge Tour Rankings winners, such as Andrew Johnston, Edoardo Molinari and Henrik Stenson.
Gary King
Joining his fellow countryman Smith down under is King. The 26 year old produced some final round heroics at this year’s Final Stage of European Tour Qualifying School, firing a six under par 66 to earn a European Tour card on the mark. The 2016 Montecchia Open by Lyoness champion, who also shot a nine under par third round of 63 to put himself into contention for a top-16 spot at the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final, will be hoping that he can continue to go low at RACV Royal Pines Resort this week.
Dylan Frittelli
Despite finishing tied second at last year’s Australian PGA Championship, Frittelli will begin his rookie European Tour season on home soil at the Alfred Dunhill Championship. The South African will be returning to a happy hunting ground in Leopard Creek Golf Club, though, where he took a share of 11thplace in 2015. The 26 year old notched up nine top tens in 18 tournaments on the Challenge Tour last season and will be looking to maintain that sort of consistency during his debut European Tour campaign.
Christofer Blomstrand
Another player at home in Africa is Sweden’s Blomstrand. The 24 year old romped to victory at the Zambia Sugar Open on the Sunshine Tour in April, rising up the leaderboard on the final day with a ten under par score of 63. Blomstrand, who secured two top fives on the 2016 Road to Oman, finished 74thin the Rankings after competing in 14 events during his first Challenge Tour season. With the renowned Fanny Sunesson – the former caddie of Sir Nick Faldo and Stenson – as his coach, Blomstrand will be looking to emulate those famous names in South Africa, and beyond.
