Joel Moscatel tees it up at this week’s Challenge de España looking to win the event for the second time in three years on the Road to Mallorca.
The Spaniard sealed his maiden HotelPlanner Tour title at the 2024 edition after firing a closing five under par round to finish one-stroke clear of Finland’s Tapio Pulkkanen.
Now, back on home soil at Isla Canela Links, Moscatel is eager to take advantage of an environment he knows well.
“It brings back memories,” he said.
“It was nice to win this event. It’s Spain, it feels like home. I’ve got good food and people that I know so any event in Spain is great for me.”
Isla Canela Links makes its debut on the Road to Mallorca having been a mainstay on DP World Tour Qualifying School for the past four years. And Moscatel, who has experience on this week’s venue, is looking forward to the challenge on what is one of the only links-style tests on the 2026 schedule.
“For me it feels like home this week,” he added.
“I’ve played a few events here and I really like it. Depending on the conditions, it can be tough around here.
“Depending on the set-up, the short game is important. It’s not a long course, so if your wedges and short game is good, you can shoot low scores here.”
The 27-year-old earned promotion to the DP World Tour after finishing tenth on the season-long Rankings. However, after ending the 2025 campaign 158th on the Race to Dubai, Moscatel returned to the HotelPlanner Tour this year.
Despite a start to the season which has included four missed cuts from eight starts and currently sitting 88th on the Rankings, the Spaniard still harbours hope of returning to Golf’s Global Tour at the first attempt.
“If I am at that level where I feel good, I see no reason why I couldn’t do it again,” he added.
“Obviously you feel like you know how to do it [earn promotion] but at the same time your need to be playing really well. If I look back, I know how well I was playing and how well I was doing things. The game needs to be in a good position to do that.
“I’m playing well. I’ve been working hard with my team, fitness wise and technique wise and my mental aspects. I’m getting a little bit better at everything.”
Moscatel is part of a strong field this week including former BMW PGA Championship winner Chris Wood, Two-time DP World Tour winner Tom Lewis and current Road to Mallorca Number Two, Pablo Ereno.
The first round of the Challenge de España gets under way at 08:00 local time on Thursday with Moscatel playing alongside South African Deon Germishuys and Maxence Giboudot from France at 13:55.
