Andrew Johnston’s scorching 65 in the third round of the Apulia San Domenico Grand Final means that, as it stands, he is in line to storm into the top 20 of the Challenge Tour Rankings and snatch a European Tour card for next season.
The Englishman started the week in 27th place in the Rankings but after launching himself right into contention at San Domenico, he is now in line to gatecrash the top 20 as he is currently 13th in the projected final Rankings.
His compatriot Sam Walker’s no-less-impressive round of 66 could prove to be one of the most important of his career, as he is currently in line to move up seven slots from 22nd place and inside the cut-off point for a European Tour card.
Pelle Edberg and Florian Praegant kept up their hopes of breaking into the top 20 alive by finishing the day within in the top ten, while Victor Rui has been a significant mover after his round of 65 yesterday as he has moved to within two places of the Rankings’ top 20, having entered the week in 33rd place.
Simon Thornton’s hopes of playing on The European Tour next season hang by a thread after he battled to a level par 71 despite illness, not to mention having had to deal with the emotions of his wife giving birth to a baby boy on the eve of day three in Puglia, Italy.
The Irishman is still in line to secure a card but only just, so he will be hoping to recover in time for what promises to be a tense final day on the Adriatic coast.
