Lorenzo Scalise capped an outstanding week by securing a maiden Challenge Tour win in the Kaskada Golf Challenge at Kaskada Golf Resort in the Czech Republic.
The Italian, who led by two overnight, looked in complete control as he carded a one under par round of 70 to reach 12 under par for the week and ease to a three shot win ahead of Manuel Elvira from Spain in second place.
The 27-year-old, who finished in tied second on the same course two years ago, went one better following rounds of 64-68-70-70, and he was delighted to secure a first win having come close on several occasions.
“It feels amazing to be honest,” he said. “I’ve come close many times. I’ve had two seconds and two thirds so far in my career, so it just feels good to finally have that Challenge Tour win.
“I think this course suits my eye. I like the way it plays. In three events here I think I’m close to 40 under par and it’s a tough course.
“The hard work doesn’t stop. If anything it gives me an incentive to work even harder because it shows that I am on the right path. This win gives me more energy to put in the work.”
Scalise continues a period of Italian dominance on the Road to Mallorca, joining countrymen Matteo Manassero and Andrea Pavan in the winner’s circle, making it three wins from four events for players from the nation.
The Italian jumps from 15th to third in the Rankings, and with the top 20 at the end of the season earning promotion to the DP World Tour, he’s glad to have put himself in a strong position for the remainder of 2023 but ensures there is more work to do.
“I was actually having a tough time a couple of weeks ago,” he said. “I felt like my game was off, and Matteo Manassero sent me a very good text saying, ‘rest up but know that people that work like us, they get what they want really soon,’ and he was right.
“The schedule remains the same and the goal remains the same, to be in contention every week. By doing that I should be able to achieve my goals. I’m going to take a day to celebrate for sure, but then it’s back to work.”
German Allen John and Englishman Jack Senior finished in third on eight under par, Australian Connor McKinney, Denmark’s Nicolai Kristensen and England’s Gary Boyd were one shot further back in fifth on seven under par, and German Marc Hammer finished in solo eighth on six under par.
Frenchman Ugo Coussaud remains at the top of the Road to Mallorca Rankings on 930 points, with South African Casey Jarvis staying in second spot with 767 points. Scalise now has 698 points and sits third, Adam Blomme drops one place to fourth on 665, and Elvira’s second place finish sees him rise six places to fifth on 655 points.
The next stop on the Road to Mallorca is the Blot Open de Bretagne at Golf Blue Green de Pléneuf Val André in France, taking place from June 22-25.
