The European Challenge Tour season continues to take shape and here are five key takeaways from the week that was in Northern France.
Rocket Roussel
On the 72nd hole, with the tournament on the line, Robin Roussel came up big—hitting it to three feet and converting a birdie that gave him a two-shot victory. The win was the Frenchman’s first, but was just another step forward for the 25-year-old who has now notched four top ten finishes, and five top 15s, in his six starts on Tour. That form has rocketed him to fourth place on the Rankings and established him as a dominant force on Tour this year.
Bland’s the man
Richard Bland just notched his second consecutive runner-up finish, and his third second place showing of the season, to now occupy the third spot on the Challenge Tour Rankings. The 46-year-old has taken the youthful players to school in his six starts and is proving once again that age is just number.
Consistent Cormac
In his last four starts on the Challenge Tour, Cormac Sharvin has finished no worse than a tie for 16th place as he keeps racking up important Rankings points. In that four tournament stretch, the Northern Irishman’s results read: tied eighth, fourth, tied 16thand third. The rock-solid run has moved him into the sixth position on the Challenge Tour Rankings. With a match play format on the cards this week in Spain, he will be a formidable opponent for any player.
Huizing has it at Saint-Omer
Daan Huizing ran into a buzz-saw in the form of Robin Roussel, who carded a final round 66 to seal victory. However, the Dutchman proved once again that he knows the Aa Saint-Omer Golf Club layout—where he holds the course record—as well as anyone. In his last four years there, he has finished fourth, tied fifth, tied 14th and tied fourth. Impressive stuff from the Jordan Mixed Open Champion.
Keep climbing the Hill
Calum Hill showed no signs of quit last week at Aa Saint-Omer, reminding everyone that a tournament is 72-holes and every shot is vitally important. In his final round, the Scot birdied half of the golf course en route to posting a seven under par round of 64, which moved him 29 places up the leaderbaord and earned him a seventh place result. A winner on Tour last year, Hill now occupies the 22nd spot on the Rankings with a coveted top 15 position well within reach.
