Following a two week break after the Kazakhstan Open, the European Challenge Tour is back in action this week and returning to Rome’s Olgiata GC for the EMC Challenge Open.
With just three events, including this one, remaining to secure a spot in the top 45 in the Road to Oman Rankings and qualify for the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final, a very strong field has assembled in Rome.
Here are the four players we think could be running into form at the perfect time, or who might take added inspiration from the glorious surroundings of the Eternal City:
Ricardo Gouveia
The obvious pick, but for good reason. Not only has the Portuguese enjoyed an astonishingly consistent season, with nine top ten finishes to his name, but he is also the reigning champion in Rome following his maiden Challenge Tour win in last year’s tournament.
The 24 year old had looked to be unassailable at the top of the Road to Oman Rankings before Sebastien Gros’ victory in Kazakhstan allowed the Frenchman to leapfrog him.
With the added motivation to regain his number one spot, plus a course that clearly suits his game, Gouveia will be keen to add a second victory in Rome, and a second win this season following his triumph at the AEGEAN Airlines Challenge Tour by Hartl Resort (see highlights above).
Sebastien Gros
Another easy choice, but we really do hope that, like Gouveia, the prospect of topping the Rankings will be enough of an incentive to drive Gros’ game to an even higher level.
The 25 year old’s win in Kazakhstan (see highlights above), his second of the year, has taken him €22,000 ahead of his nearest rival, though another victory in any of the remaining events would see him automatically promoted to The European Tour for winning three Challenge Tour tournaments in one season.
Fingers crossed we may be set up for a high-quality head-to-head battle reminiscent of the recent Jordan Spieth and Jason Day tussles in America as the two best players on the Challenge Tour this year fight it out for the right to be crowned Road to Oman Rankings winner in November.
Jens Fahrbring
While Gros v Gouveia may be the headline draw, the form Challenge Tour player at the moment is undoubtedly Fahrbring, now up to fourth place in the Road to Oman Rankings.
The Swede, who won the D+D REAL Czech Challenge in May (see highlights above), tied for third in Kazakhstan, his sixth finish in the top 12 this season.
The 31 year old then came within one shot of a place in a play-off at the 72° OPEN D’ITALIA presented by DAMIANI on The European Tour and he will be hoping the Italian surroundings will inspire him again this week.
Lorenzo Gagli
Currently sitting in 38thplace in the Road to Oman Rankings, Gagli is the highest-ranked Italian player on the Challenge Tour this season and will be desperate to secure his spot in the top 45, and with it a place in the Grand Final, with a strong week on home soil.
The 29 year old finished in a tie for 15thin Kazakhstan, his best result since he was runner-up to Rhys Davies in the Turkish Airlines Challenge in May, suggesting he may be rediscovering his best form at the right time.
Italians have a strong record in their home event, with Alessandro Tadini and Matteo Delpodio both finishing in the top ten last year and Edoardo Molinari victorious here in 2009, and Gagli could be the strongest local hope this week.
