The European Challenge Tour heads to Italy for the Italian Challenge Open this week. Here are three men to keep an eye on…
Form horse
Ruaidhri McGee secured his spot at this week’s Italian Challenge Open courtesy of a second place finish at last week’s Blot Open de Bretagne, which was just his second appearance on the 2022 Road to Mallorca. The Irishman carded rounds of 61-73-67-69 to finish one-shot behind Englishman Alfie Plant, who sealed his second Challenge Tour title in Brittany.
McGee decided to take a break from competitive golf after the Covid-19 pandemic and made his first appearance on the Challenge Tour for almost two years at the Empordà Challenge earlier this month, where he recorded a top 20 finish. The 31-year-old currently sits in 27th position on the Road to Mallorca Rankings and he will be looking to for another strong performance in Italy to break into the top 20.
Local boy
Lorenzo Scalise has struggled to find a level of consistency in 2022 and currently sits in 41st position on the Road to Mallorca Rankings. The Italian has showed signs of promise in recent weeks with a tie for ninth at the D+D REAL Czech Challenge and a tie for 13th at the Kaskáda Golf Challenge, and he will hoping a return to home soil can provide the stage for a maiden Challenge Tour victory as he looks to break into the top 20 and secure DP World Tour playing rights for 2023.
The 26-year-old enjoyed a stellar amateur career, winning the 2017 Italian Amateur Championship, finishing low-amateur at the 2017 Italian Open and represented Team International at the 2018 Arnold Palmer Cup.
The outsider
Todd Clements will be looking to continue his impressive run of form at this week’s Italian Challenge Open. The Englishman has recorded three top-ten finishes on the 2022 Road to Mallorca, including a second place at the Empordà Challenge and is currently 11th on the Road to Mallorca Rankings.
The 25-year-old has fond memories in Italy after finishing in a tie for eighth at the 2020 Italian Challenge and he will be hoping for another good performance this week in Viterbo to maintain his position in the top 20 on the Rankings.
