Frederic Lacroix may not have clinched that elusive first Challenge Tour title in 2021, but three runner-up finishes were enough to secure the Frenchman’s graduation to the DP World Tour after a fifth place finish on the Road to Mallorca.
His breakthrough season was kick-started by a tie for second at the Challenge de España. The 26-year-old led by one shot standing on the 17th tee but unfortunately bogeys on the last two holes meant this year’s Road to Mallorca Number Three Santiago Tarrio secured victory.
Lacroix was undeterred, however, and continued his progress with a tie for fourth at the Italian Challenge before a second place finish at the Open de Portugal at Royal Óbidos.
The Frenchman had eyes for victory once again at the Open de Portugal at Royal Óbidos after setting the clubhouse lead at 18 under par with Marcel Schneider needing a birdie on the final hole to force a play-off, however the German holed a 30-foot eagle putt to clinch a dramatic win.
The 26-year-old again showed real bravery to bounce back with a fourth place finish at the Swiss Challenge, a tie for fifth at the Challenge Costa Brava and tie for second at the season-ending Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final supported by The R&A.
The Frenchman arrived at the season finale in 11th position on the Rankings and after carding a five under par final round of 66, he finished just one shot back of Road to Mallorca Number One Marcus Helligkilde to climb six places to fifth on the Rankings.
Lacroix went on to impress on his first DP World Tour start this season, finishing in a tie for fifth at the Joburg Open as the tournament was reduced to 36 holes due to the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant and weather delays.
