Two weeks after the Ras Al Khaimah Challenge Tour Grand Final, which saw 15 players graduate to the European Tour, a further 12 secured their cards for 2019 at Qualifying School Final Stage.
Of the top 27 who sealed their places on Europe’s top tier next season, 12 where plying their trade on the Challenge Tour in 2018.
France’sRomain Langasque and Sweden’sNiklas Lemkewere both inside the projected top 15 at points during the Grand Final, but after both narrowly missing out the pair dusted themselves off and took their good form to Lumine Golf Club in Spain – where they came through six rounds to earn playing rights for next season's European Tour.
Lemke’s countrymanAnton Karlsson, who finished in 31stplace in this year’s Rankings, secured a second season on the European Tour, while Germany’sBernd Ritthammer– a three-time Challenge Tour champion in 2016 – also progressed through Final Stage.
Joining Ritthammer is his fellow GermanMax Schmitt– the youngest Q-School graduate this season at just 20 years old – who will be a European Tour rookie in 2019, along withIvan Cantero Gutierrez, Guido Migliozzi, Kristian Krogh Johannessen, Hugo Leon, Filippo Bergamaschi, Nick Cullen,Scott GregoryandLemke.
In addition to those 12 players, along with the top 15 on the Road to Ras Al Khaimah, bothRichard McEvoyandTom Lewisprogressed from the Challenge Tour to the European Tour this year after winning thePorsche European OpenandPortugal Mastersrespectively.
As a result a total of 29 players made the step up from the Challenge Tour to Europe’s top tier this season – a fantastic achievement by all!
