The European Challenge Tour heads to Germany for this week’s Big Green Egg German Challenge powered by VcG 2022 and here are three players to keep an eye on…
The outsider
Lars van Meijel arrives in Germany with a spring in his step after an impressive performance at last week’s 150th Open at St Andrews. The Dutchman carded rounds of 74-70-71-69 to finish in a tie for 53rd on four under par ahead of Major champions including Tiger Woods, Collin Morikawa and Brooks Koepka.
The 28-year-old has recorded three top ten finishes on the Road to Mallorca this season, including a tie for fourth at the Limpopo Championship during the South African Swing at the start of the year. van Meijel currently sits in 46th position on the Rankings and is looking for a strong performance in Germany to break into the top 20 as he looks to secure a return to the DP World Tour.
Form horse
Freddy Schott has been in red-hot form on the Road to Mallorca with four top-four finishes in his last five starts and currently sits in ninth position on the Rankings. The German held a three-shot lead heading into the final round of last week’s Euram Bank Open but a disappointing final day meant he finished in a tie for third as countryman Marc Hammer secured a maiden Challenge Tour title. The 21-year-old will be a hoping a return to Germany this week can provide the stage for his first Challenge Tour title.
Home favourite
Alexander Knappe kick-started his 2022 Road to Mallorca in style by securing his first win for over five years at the season opening Dimension Data Pro-Am in South Africa, a tournament worth 54,853 points on the Rankings. The three-time Challenge Tour winner has struggled to find consistency since returning to Europe but will be a hoping an event on home soil can be the catalyst for an upturn in form.
