Francesco Laporta began the Challenge Tour Grand Final occupying the second position on the Road to Mallorca Rankings but is now projected to become Challenge Tour Number One after taking the first-round lead.
Francesco Laporta began the Challenge Tour Grand Final occupying the second position on the Road to Mallorca Rankings but is now projected to become Challenge Tour Number One after taking the first-round lead.
The Italian carded five birdies against only two bogeys to sign for a three under par 68, which was one shot better than his nearest competitors on the difficult Club de Golf Alcanada layout.
“It was a tough round today,” he said. “The wind came up this morning, then went down and then it came up again during the last couple of holes. I played solid and only missed a couple of putts on the first two holes, but after that the putter worked better.
“I’m pretty happy about my round and we’ll just have to see what happens in the next few days. The Number One spot is in my mind, for sure. I came here to fight for the first spot and I will fight all week for that. It’s a good start and hopefully I have another one tomorrow.”
The strong start continues an impressive run of form for the 29-year-old, who recently finished as the low-Italian at the European Tour’s Italian Open, a Rolex Series event, before winning the Hainan Open the following week.
Laporta holds a one stroke advantage over home-favourite Sebastian Garcia Rodriguez and Welshman Rhys Enoch, who each carded rounds of two under par 70.
Now that the Challenge Tour Grand Final is under way, the projected Road to Mallorca Rankings come into focus, with the leading 15 players on the season-long points race earning European Tour cards at the end of the week.
While Garcia Rodriguez began the tournament positioned 13th on the Rankings, Enoch teed it up outside of the coveted cut off in 25th, but currently sitting in a two-way tie for second place, he is now projected to climb inside the magic number and finish the year in 13th.
“There are plenty of different outcomes, but I’m focused on winning really,” Enoch said. “Second would probably be enough if I’m on my own, but then I’m relying on a lot of other people. I’ve just got to try and win because that takes care of it, so that’s my aim.”
Oliver Farr, who came into the Grand Final holding the 15th and final European Tour card, overcame a triple bogey and a double bogey to finish his round in a tie for 11th place on one over par, which is currently enough for the Welshman to hold onto the final graduation spot.
The second round of the Challenge Tour Grand Final begins tomorrow at 8:30am local time, with Laporta, Garcia Rodriguez and Enoch set to go at 11:05am.
