With six events to go on the 2016 Road to Oman, we turn our attention to Almaty for one of the most important tournaments on the European Challenge Tour calendar.
Over the years the Kazakhstan Open has shown that it can give a player on the bubble a crucial push which can propel them up the Rankings and into contention for a place on the European Tour.
Here we take a look at five of the most intriguing subplots in Central Asia this week.
Hammer’s a hit
After becoming the first player to win twice on Europe’s top developmental tour this season in Ireland two weeks ago, Bernd Ritthammer comes to Kazakhstan as the leader of the pack.
The German, who finished tied 63rdin the Porsche European Open in his homeland last week, will be looking to extend his position at the top of the Rankings, but will face fierce competition from France’s Romain Langasque and England’s Jordan Smith who will be keen to reclaim the number one spot from the 29 year old.
Romain returns
Making his Challenge Tour comeback this week is Langasque, who is also a player in red hot form. The 21 year old made a lasting impression on the European Tour, leading the Omega European Masters for 36 holes in just his fifth Tour start before going on to finish tied seventh.
The young Frenchman, who turned professional in April this year, then went on to finish tied 34that the KLM Open a week later, and he will be looking return to the summit of the Challenge Tour Rankings – where he previously sat for three weeks.
Field full of winners
Returning to Almaty with fond memories will be Spain’s Alvaro Velasco, England’s Sam Hutsby and Scotland’s Scott Henry, who have all previously won the Kazakhstan Open.
All three triumphed at the stunning Zhailjau Golf Resort where 35 year old Velasco broke the record for the lowest total score after reaching 21 under par over four rounds on his way to victory there in 2010.
Henry held his nerve during a two-hole play-off to beat Austria’s HP Bacher and win in 2012, while Hutsby kept compatriot Andrew Johnston at bay to claim a two stroke maiden Challenge Tour victory in 2014.
Don’t get Mads, get even
Playing at Nurtau Golf Club, just 10km away from this year’s venue, Denmark’s Mads Søgaard came agonisingly close to sealing a potentially life-changing victory.
The 23 year old was tied for the lead with France’s Sebastien Gros and America’s Sihwan Kim going in the final round, and made the perfect start on day four with two birdies in his first three holes.
After exchanging blows with Gros all afternoon, Søgaard would eventually come unstuck on the final hole, making a bogey to hand his rival a one shot victory and his second Challenge Tour title of the season.
Now back on Kazakh soil, the young Dane will be hoping he can go one better.
Kafelnikov after more aces
Joining some of Europe’s finest young golfers this week is former tennis World Number One Yevgeny Kafelnikov.
The Russian, who is a two-time singles Grand Slam champion after he won the 1996 French Open and the 1999 US Open, is a keen golfer who has previously competed in Kazakhstan, and in Russia on the European Tour.
The 42 year old, who is also an Olympic gold medalist after he won the men’s singles title in Sydney in 2000, will start his first round in Almaty at 12.40pm tomorrow.
