Oscar Lengden returns to familiar settings at the Bridgestone Challenge and will call upon last year’s winning formula to defend his title at Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf and Spa.
Lengden claimed his maiden European Challenge Tour victory by two points over Nicolai von Dellingshausen at the Bridgestone Challenge 12 months ago, where the event was played over a modified stableford format – a first on the Challenge Tour.
The Swede’s success spurred him to a 23rdplace finish in the Rankings in his debut season on the Challenge Tour, and it is that experience in 2017 which the 26 year old hopes to use at the Bedfordshire parkland this week.
With a return to stroke play, Lengden believes last year’s winning approach, irrelevant of the format, is the best way to play the Championship Course at Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf and Spa.
“I have a lot of special memories from last year and it feels good to be back where I won my first Challenge Tour title,” he said. “I’m looking forward to this week.
“Last year was different because you didn’t focus on the score or the format, you just played your game one hole at a time. I’m going to try and think the same way this year and pretend that it’s the modified stableford format and see how well it works out for me.”
The 2018 Challenge de España champion gained 49 modified stableford points at the Bridgestone Challenge last season, where he finished in style to clinch the title off eventual runner-up von Dellingshausen.
“The birdie-birdie-eagle finish last year still sounds pretty remarkable,” he said. “It was a tough finish when you look back at those holes, even 16 wasn’t an easy hole given the circumstances as it rained most of the day. It was a pretty amazing finish and the 30-foot putt on the last, which had a lot of break, was huge.”
Another spectacular finish on Sunday afternoon would be the dream for Lengden as he strives to finish in the top 15 on the Road to Ras Al Khaimah and graduate to the European Tour. With seven events left on the Challenge Tour’s International Schedule, Lengden currently sits 14thin the Rankings and knows a strong end to the year will be needed.
“The top 15 is on my mind and it bothers me a lot,” he said. “Last year was different as I wasn’t even in contention until I won the Bridgestone Challenge, but this year I’ve been in contention all the time. It’s a new position for me and I think about it a lot.
“I know I’m not in the best of shape, but golf is a funny game and it can change from week to week, so I’m going to keep grinding and see where it takes me.”
Also looking to join the Swede in the coveted top 15 places are English trio Ben Stow, Steven Tiley and Oliver Wilson, who all lie within the top 30 on the Road to Ras Al Khaimah and will be aiming for a successful week on home soil to move up the Rankings.
