As the Road to Oman arrives in Denmark, we take a look at some of the intriguing plots on the European Challenge Tour this week.
Smith leads the way
Jordan Smith has enjoyed a remarkable rookie season on Europe’s top developmental tour, following up a maiden victory in Egypt with a tied runner-up spot in the Czech Republic and an outright third place in Scotland last week.
Such consistency has seen the Wiltshire-based player build an 11,000-point lead at the top of the Rankings, which the former Walker Cup star will be hoping to increase at Aalborg Golf Klub.
With fellow countryman Max Orrin triumphing in Copenhagen last year, the 23 year old will be hoping to keep this year’s trophy in English hands.
Mads in Denmark
Determined to bring the Made in Denmark Challenge trophy back to its home nation is Mads Søgaard.
The 23 year old was one of the stars of the last Challenge Tour campaign, narrowly missing out on a first win at the lucrative Kazakhstan Open.
While a shoulder injury restricted the Dane’s ability to practise during the off season, the former Duke University student now feels ready to challenge again.
“I’m hoping now with the calendar picking up that I can pick up my game,” said Søgaard who finished in a share of sixth at the Made in Denmark on the Race to Dubai schedule last season.
“It’s a new course this year and not too far away from where I live so obviously that will be nice to have a home event. For my early tee time I will have a hotel room but I will try and stay at home.
“I’m looking forward to that. It’s not often you get to play a tournament where you sleep in your own bed so it will be really nice.”
Like father like son
Another home favourite this week is 17 year old amateur Hamish Brown, who will make his Challenge Tour debut at the venue where his father Marcus is the club professional.
The young Dane, who is still at high school, learnt the game under his father’s watchful eye and is raring to go on a course he knows well.
“It is my home course and I am playing well, so with a bit of luck we will see,” he said. “I have not got any expectations. I just want to make the cut and will see what happens from there.
“I will have a good friend on the bag this week and we work well together. I think he will be good to take my mind off golf between shots.
“My dad is a father off the golf course and is my coach on the golf course. He is both a father and a trainer and is a very good thing to have. He knows when to put me in place and we work well together.
“We don’t always talk about golf. We are quite happy going away and watching a football game together.”
Swedish sirs
Also looking to mount a charge this week will be a number of Denmark’s Nordic neighbours. Three-time European Tour winner Johan Edfors will be aiming to add to his three Challenge Tour titles while compatriot Marcus Kinhult will be making his first appearance on Europe’s top developmental tour after earning a card for the 2016 Race to Dubai at Qualifying School last year.
The name is Ballesteros… Javier Ballesteros
Making his second Challenge Tour appearance this year will be Javier Ballesteros, the son of 50-time European Tour winner and Ryder Cup legend Seve Ballesteros.
The 25 year old, who turned professional in 2014 after studying for a law degree at Complutense University in Madrid, won an amateur title in Spain’s capital in 2012, and he will be looking to make his mark on the professional game this week.
