There are few people on the European Challenge Tour right now playing as well as French rookie Edouard Espana who has arrived at the inaugural Shankai Classic presented by IDG fresh off his first podium finish just a fortnight ago.
His tie for third at the Roma Golf Challenge Open at Olgiata Golf Club was just the latest in a long run of results that has seen him finish in the top 20 in 13 of his previous 17 starts on the second tier, all of which has added up to tenth spot on the Rankings heading into the Final Swing.
The 24 year old is not resting on his laurels though, with the US$350,000 event at the Chongqing Poly Golf Club the first of four big money tournaments to close the season, which means there is still every chance Espana could be robbed of a graduating place amongst the top 15 if he fails to perform.
“I feel really good coming into this week, as I practiced really well with my coach last week in Biarritz and I feel great,” said the man who has not missed a cut since the NH Collection Open back in April.
“I have played well for two or three months, and posted my first top five a fortnight ago in Italy, so I am really happy to be here and to play this tournament. I played nine holes yesterday and the course is beautiful and in really good shape, so I will try and play well and focus on my game.
“This is my first time here and it has been a good experience so far, as it is a nice country, and thank you to the sponsors for organising this event as it is a good tournament for all of the players.
“There is a lot of money still to play for and these final four events are very big, so anything is possible, and every player can reach the top 15 and get their card for next year so I need to stay focused on my game and not on the results for the moment.
“I feel very good about my chances this week and beyond, but you have to play and not think about next year too much.”
The Frenchman headlines a seven strong French contingent in Chongqing alongside Michael Lorenzo-Vera, who currently resides some two places further down the Rankings than his compatriot Espana.
Just outside the qualifying mark currently is fellow countryman Cyril Bouniol, who himself is also putting together a very consistent rookie season on the Challenge Tour. Just one big finish in these final few weeks would see the Texas-based newlywed earn himself graduation to European golf's top table at the first time of asking, and he enters the week 18th on the season-long list.
Rounding out the French challenge in China is Northern Ireland runner-up Adrien Bernadet (19th), D+D REAL Czech Challenge winner Thomas Linard (22nd) and Jerome Lando-Casanova (26th), all of which can still play their way on The Race to Dubai in 2015 with some strong play this week and beyond.
