The European Challenge Tour returns to Morocco for the first time in almost a decade this week for the Lalla Aïcha Challenge Tour. We take a look at three players who could mount a title tilt at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam.
Matthew Jordan
The Englishman returns to action a week after recording a fifth place finish at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, finishing ahead of some of golf’s biggest names, including Tony Finau, Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose.
The result replicates the form that has seen him become one of the most impressive performers on the Challenge Tour this season, with the 23-year-old currently occupying fifth position on the Road to Mallorca Rankings.
With one victory to his name in 2019, alongside four further top ten finishes, a win would put him within touching distance of his European Tour card for next season. Given his current form, few would put it past him to do just that in Morocco.
Dale Whitnell
The Englishman, who started the year with limited status, rocketed up the Road to Mallorca Rankings following his victory at the KPMG Trophy in Belgium in August.
The 31-year-old admitted after his triumph that he had come close to quitting the game but after seven years away from European Tour and Challenge Tour action, he looks to be back to his very best.
Whitnell, who currently sits in 22nd position on the Rankings, has only played ten tournaments this season, the fewest of any player in the top 25, but knows he will need to finish strongly if he is to jump into the top 15 and secure his European Tour card following the season-ending Challenge Tour Grand Final.
Sebastian Heisele
Less than a month after securing his maiden Challenge Tour victory at the Open de Bretagne, Heisele came close to clinching a second win on French soil in the space of three weeks at the Hopps Open de Provence, carding a closing 65 to finish in second, one shot behind eventual victor Lars van Meijel.
His recent stretch of form catapulted the German up the Road to Mallorca Rankings, moving up 71 places into 15th position since the start of September. With an immediate return to the European Tour now in his sights, Heisele will be looking to ensure he maintains his momentum with a strong performance this week.
