The countdown to the Challenge Tour Grand Final is nearly over with only five events left until the season-finale takes place. This week the European Challenge Tour is at the Hopps Open de Provence and we have three players to keep a close eye on at Golf International de Pont Royal.
Sebastian Garcia Rodriguez
The Spaniard has recently moved into the top 15 on the Road to Mallorca Rankings following a runner-up finish at the 57º Open de Portugal @ Morgado Golf Resort. It was Rodriguez’s second runner-up result of the season, having claimed second place behind Antoine Rozner on home soil in May.
With 11 cuts made out of 13 tournaments and seven top tens to his name, Rodriguez is hunting down a top 15 and will be looking to cement his place in the coveted places this week.
Robin Roussel
One of 32 Frenchmen in the field this week, but the only French star to have won on home soil already on the Road to Mallorca.
Roussel clinched the Hauts de France - Pas de Calais Golf Open – his first Challenge Tour title – in June, after starting the season with three consecutive top ten results. The Frenchman currently occupies tenth place on the Road to Mallorca, and back on home soil this week, where he finished tied sixth 12 months ago, he will be aiming to add another top ten to his name.
Joel Sjöholm
Last year’s runner-up to Romain Langasque, Sjöholm has finished twice in second place already this season and will want to go one better at Golf International de Pont Royal and get over the line for his first Challenge Tour win since 2017.
The Swede shot rounds of 68-68-69 before a disappointing final round of 71 at the inaugural event last year and will be hoping to record four sub-70 rounds this time round, which would see him move into the top 15. After a tied ninth result in Portugal two weeks ago he is on the cusp in 18th place and with six events left on the Road to Mallorca, pressure is high for the bubble boys.
