As the European Challenge Tour returns to England for the first time since 2012, we take a look at some of the intriguing plots on the Road to Oman’s latest stop this week.
Dylan’s the man
Coming to Heythrop Park Resort in sizzling form is South Africa’s Dylan Frittelli. The 26 year old has been the stand-out performer on the Challenge Tour in recent months, following up four top 15 finishes in five events with a dramatic two-shot victory at the Rolex Trophy last week.
Now a two-time champion on Europe’s top developmental tour, after his 2013 Kӓrnten Golf Open triumph, Frittelli will be the man to beat in Oxfordshire this week.
Homecoming for Stow
Returning to home soil is Ben Stow, who was the leading amateur four years ago at the English Challenge. The 24 year old was in contention going into the final day at Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf and Spa after a five under par third round of 67 moved him to tied 16th spot.
The University of Kentucky graduate has gone on to establish himself as one of the most consistent performers on the 2016 Road to Oman, finishing in the top 25 in 11 of his 13 starts this season.
Stow, who played in the 2013 Open Championship at Muirfield after winning a final qualifying competition at Gullane, will be looking to make the most of home advantage and go one better after two runner-up finishes this season.
Bjorn’s on form
Another form horse teeing it up this week is Sweden’s Bjorn Hellgren. After finishing tied fourth at the Nordea Masters in his homeland in June, the 25 year old secured his first top 15 finish on Europe’s top developmental tour in Northern Ireland.
The Challenge Tour Rookie then finished 12thin Sweden a week later and sixth in Finland in his next event. Can Hellgren become the fourth Swede to win on the Challenge Tour this year after compatriots Sebastian Soderberg, Simon Forsström and Alexander Björk?
Amateur Champion connections
Making his Challenge Tour debut this week is 2016 Amateur Champion Scott Gregory. The 21 year old joins a field full of former winners of the British Amateur, including 2013 champion Garrick Porteous, 2008 winner Reiner Saxton and 2006 victor Julien Guerrier.
Road to Oman Rankings Number One and 2015 Amateur Champion Romain Langasque beat Gregory in the final to win the Spanish Amateur Championship this year, and the young Englishman hopes to follow in the footsteps of his former rival.
“I know Romain well and it is great what he has achieved this season,” he said. “He text me saying congratulations after I won in Porthcawl this year – which was really nice of him.”
Famous five for England?
Gregory will be looking to emulate the success of his fellow countrymen this week. Road to Oman Rankings Number Four Jordan Smith won the second event of the current campaign in Egypt, while his former EuroPro Tour rival Gary King joined the winner’s circle in Italy three weeks later.
James Heath claimed his first Challenge Tour title in ten years at the SSE Scottish Hydro Challenge hosted by Macdonald Hotels and Resorts in June, while two weeks ago Sam Walker won his fourth Challenge Tour title at the Vierumӓki Finnish Challenge.
