Girona native Jordi Garcia Pinto once again took advantage of playing on home soil to extend his advantage atop the Challenge Tour Rankings after a tie for eighth place at the Challenge de Catalunya.
High winds caused a lengthy suspension on Friday that forced the tournament to be cut to 54 holes, but this did not affect the 24 year old law student, who fired rounds of 70-68-68 to finish seven under par and in the top ten for the second consecutive event.
This latest showing comes off the back of a runner-up finish at the NH Collection Open on Spain’s southern coast just three weeks ago, and as a result, Garcia Pinto has built on a similar advantage to the one he built early in the 2013 season.
After a maiden Challenge Tour victory at the 2013 Barclays Kenya Open the Spaniard led the Rankings for the early part of last season, only to fall away to an eventual 24th place on the Rankings, and as a result he is intent on not letting that happen again this year after another impressive start.
“I am really happy with the way I played this week,” said Garcia Pinto. “To finish the way I did with two birdies in the last three holes, especially after a double bogey on the 13th after a lost a ball down the right hand side, was great.
“In the final two rounds I played spectacularly, and while it’s sad we couldn’t play all four rounds, I feel my game is great. I could have scored better but I am happy as it was important to do well this week, and not to let what happened last year happen again, as after winning I missed a few cuts.
“It was important to have a good tournament and the sooner, the better to keep my position on top of the Rankings throughout the year. Next up I will play the Open de España in my home town, I am very excited to play it, and I have nothing to lose and a lot to learn. I’m looking forward to it.”
Aside from Garcia Pinto, Antonio Hortal made a big move after his maiden triumph at Lumine Golf & Beach Club, and he jumps to third in the Rankings as a result.
English pair Andrew Johnston and Callum Shinkwin were also beneficiaries of strong displays last week in Spain, moving to seventh and eighth respectively after top three finishes of their own.
Cyril Bouniol continued to prove his credentials as one to watch this season after the first top ten of his Challenge Tour career, and a tie for fifth has moved him up to tenth in the Rankings after three events of the season.
