The impact of Challenge Tour graduates and those who earned their card through Qualifying School continues to be felt on the European Tour after a leaderboard takeover at the South African Open hosted by the City of Johannesburg.
Romain Langasque, who finished in 19thplace on the 2018 Road to Ras Al Khaimah before earning a European Tour card at the Final Stage of Q-School, was as the runner-up in South Africa’s national Open – his best result on Europe’s top tier.
Two shots further back in third place were a quartet which included 2011 Masters Champion Charl Schwartzel andOliver Wilson, who was a two-time winner this year on Europe’s top developmental circuit.
By virtue of being one of the top three finishers not already exempt for The 148thOpen Championship, bothLangasque and Wilson secured entry into the final Major Championship of 2019.
The pair will join their peer from this past season on the Challenge Tour,Dimitrios Papadatos,in a bid for the Claret Jug after the man from Sydney qualified via the Emirates Australian Open in his homeland two weeks ago.
Native South African, and a regular on the Challenge Tour in 2018,Anthony Michael, also recorded a top ten finish at Randpark Golf Club last week.
All three golfers finished ahead of World Golf Hall of Fame Member Ernie Els, and matching the four-time Major winner on eight under par in a share of 15thplace was Road to Ras Al Khaimah Number 12Robert MacIntyre.
The Scot was paired with the golfing icon for the final two rounds, and despite being honoured to walk the fairways with a living legend, revealed his competitive side that has many onlookers tipping him for future success.
“He was very nice to play with and obviously very chilled, which I like,” he said. “We talked a bit on the way round, which was cool. But, at the end of the day, I want to beat him and he wants to beat me.”
Road to Ras Al Khaimah Number NineStuart Manleyalso put in a strong showing at the second oldest national Open in the world, as he fired rounds of 67-71-68-71 to close out the tournament in a tie for 21stplace.
