Clément Sordet arrives at this week’s Hainan Open full of confidence ahead of a crucial fortnight in China on the European Challenge Tour.
The Frenchman currently resides in 21stplace on the Road to Oman and is around 5,000 points away from a place in the top 15, who all earn European Tour cards at the end of the season.
The 24 year old is a proven winner on Europe’s top developmental tour having recorded a Challenge Tour victory in each of the last three seasons – his most recent title came in August at the Viking Challenge.
That victory has been the main highlight of a steady season for Sordet, who goes to Hainan Island on a run that has seen him make eight consecutive cuts.
Now well into his third Challenge Tour campaign, Sordet knows he has a lot to do if he is to secure a debut season on the European Tour – but he believes that he has the game to do it.
“For me, it’s just a matter of time before I get to the European Tour,” he said. “I have a win already which is always great, whether it is early in the season, like last year, or late in the season like this one, it’s always good, but getting a late win means you’re in the top 15 at the right time.
“I have a lot of momentum coming into the final few events now. I don’t feel there’s any pressure, it’s a matter of time and I’m not going to rush things – if I make it this year, I’ll be really happy, if not it’ll just be next year. I’m definitely ready though, 100%.
“There’s a lot of work to do. I think to earn a card you are going to have to be somewhere around 85,000 or 90,000 points and I’m only on about 55,000 right now – so just over halfway.
“I’ve got to be top three in one of these last four events, or win one. That’s the goal – I’m not going to concentrate on the results, I know my game is in the right place right now, I’ve just not been making the putts, but I’m playing well.”
Although last year’s Hainan Open was reduced to 36 holes following typhoons in the tropical Sanya, Sordet finished the tournament in a share of 29thplace.
Sordet, who also finished inside the top 15 and the top 30 in his two appearances at the Foshan Open, feels as though he is close to a big performance in China.
“I’ve played both the events in China before so I know them all pretty well and feel very comfortable there,” he said. “Hopefully we’ll get to play four rounds in Hainan! I’m feeling pretty confident and ready for the final run of tournaments.”
