Clément Sordet returns to Irish soil for this week’s Volopa Irish Challenge hosted by Mount Wolseley Hotel Spa and Golf Resort having claimed a maiden European Challenge Tour title on his last visit to the Emerald Isle, when he won August’s Northern Ireland Open.
The Frenchman claimed a shock victory at Galgorm Castle two months ago in just his fourth start as a professional when he carded a final round 66 to beat American John Hahn by one shot.
He has struggled somewhat to replicate that form since but a share of 13th place at the Kazakhstan Open last month provided a glimpse of a return to form for the 22 year old.
Sordet is confident that this week’s course suits his game and, with just two tournaments to go after this week’s event, he is in need of a big result if he is to secure European Tour graduation as he lies 35th in the Road to Oman Rankings.
“It’s great to be back in Ireland,” he said. “The course is similar, it’s long and narrow and it’s not a links so I’m feeling pretty comfortable here.
“The win just came out of nowhere and I was really surprised because this year was just all about getting experience and getting ready for Q-School.
“It changed a lot of things for me because I can still finish in the top 15, I still have a lot of work to do but I could still go to Q-School and play one good week and get on The European Tour.
“Everything is possible, and it’s not all about this week either. I can have a good week in China and then in the Grand Final and then I could get into the top 15.
“I am not in a rush. If I’m still on the Challenge Tour next year it’s still pretty good and at least I would have something to play for. If I make The European Tour, great.”
Sordet is joined by many of Ireland’s finest young up and coming golf stars as well as a host of experienced former European Tour winners
Jack Hume, Gary Hurley, Gavin Moynihan and Cormac Sharvin – who formed four of a record five Irish players to play in the recent Walker Cup – will all make their European Challenge Tour debuts as they attempt to make a big impression in the embryonic stage of their professional careers.
Englishman Jimmy Mullen, meanwhile, will join his former Walker Cup teammates having recorded a 100 per cent record at Royal Lytham and St Annes.
They will come up against an extremely strong field which includes former European Tour winners such as home favourite Peter Lawrie, Rhys Davies of Wales, and former Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Ricardo Santos.
