As the European Challenge Tour arrives in Spain for the first time in 2016, it is two recent Spanish graduates, half a world away from the ongoing Challenge de Madrid, who are starting to enjoy the fruits of last year’s labours as they tackle the European Tour.
Close friends Borja Virto Astudillo and Nacho Elvira both won multiple times on the 2015 Road to Oman on their way to finishing in the top 15 in the Rankings, and this week they are in China, the scene of previous successes for them both.
The duo are former winners of the Foshan Open, Virto Astudillo’s victory there last October sealing his place in this year’s Race to Dubai, with Elvira triumphant two years before that.
One year ago, 29 year old Elvira made a stunning albatross to seal victory at his home tournament, the 2015 Challenge de Madrid, before two further wins – at the Kӓrnten Golf Open and the Rolex Trophy – secured him immediate promotion to the European Tour.
This season he carried on his good form in South East Asia by finishing tied for 19that the True Thailand Classic presented by Chang followed by a tied eighth place finish at the Shenzhen International.
Virto Astudillo, who last year won the D+D REAL Slovakia Challenge before his victory in China, carded a promising five under par 67 to sit in seventh place after the first round of this week’s Volvo China Open in Beijing.
“I am really happy with my round, to make five under and to have no bogeys,” said the 25 year old. “I played really well and didn’t make any putts at the start but I picked it up as the round went on.
“I had a three under last week in Shenzhen in the first round but then I just couldn’t make many putts so I stayed on the same score for the tournament. Hopefully I will do better this week.
“After winning the Foshan Open last year on the Challenge Tour it is safe to say I am at home in China. Maybe it is the food or something but I really like it here!”
