Tapio Pulkkanen returns home for this week’s Vierumäki Finnish Challenge supported by Finnish Golf Union in a buoyant mood having had the opportunity to represent his country at the Paris Olympics earlier this month.
The Finn will tee it up at Vierumäki Resort at a crucial stage in the 2024 Road to Mallorca season where he currently sits 15th on the Rankings.
The 34-year-old finished in a tie for 35th at Le Golf National and despite not finishing on the podium in Paris, he reflected on a magical experience at his first Olympic Games alongside some of the world’s best golfers.
“It was such a cool week in Paris,” he said. “The crowds were amazing, and we had a lot of Finnish supporters throughout the week.
“I haven’t played a Major yet, so it was great to test myself against the best players in the world and they were so impressive. I was able to see how they approach the game on and off the course and it is always helpful to be in that environment.”
Pulkkanen has not played a professional tournament in Finland since 2017, the same year he was crowned Challenge Tour Number One, and he is looking forward to playing in front of home crowds again.
“It feels amazing to be back here playing golf in Finland,” he said. “The last time I played a tournament at home was in 2017 at this course. The course looks different now and it is softer which means it will play a little bit longer.
“We will have lots of home support which could be an advantage, especially over the weekend if I am in one of the final groups.
“I won the Challenge Tour Rankings in 2017 which was an unbelievable year for me because I started the year playing on invites. I realised that I was good enough to win out here and compete at the top of the leaderboard on a regular basis.”
The Finn has been plying his trade on the DP World Tour for the past six seasons before losing his card at the end of 2023, however he is targeting a quick return to Golf’s Global Tour after regaining his confidence this season.
“I’ve learnt a lot about my game having returned to the Challenge Tour and it’s been nice to put myself into contention again,” he said.
“I’m 15th right now in the Rankings and I’m looking to get another good result this week to climb the Rankings and cement my place in the top 20. My goal is to return to the DP World Tour next season.”
Pulkkanen joins a strong field in Finland this week, which includes Road to Mallorca Number One Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen and Number Two John Parry, who are both targeting a third victory of the campaign to secure automatic promotion to the DP World Tour.
The Vierumäki Finnish Challenge supported by Finnish Golf Union will get under way at 7:30am local time on Thursday, with Pulkkanen teeing it up alongside Parry and Sweden’s Joakim Lagergren at 1:30pm.
