There have been major developments on the Road to Ras Al Khaimah in the last two weeks, and with only five events left before European Tour cards are handed out, players are eager to position themselves inside two critical cut-off numbers.
The 45
The first key to securing graduation to the European Tour is qualifying for the Ras Al Khaimah Challenge Tour Grand Final. Doing so is no easy task, as the field size is limited to only the 45 most accomplished European Challenge Tour players, with the cut-off coming at the conclusion of the lucrative Foshan Open.
Following last week’s Kazakhstan Open presented by ERG, another big-money event on Europe’s top developmental tour, several golfers have made significant moves in the Rankings.
Hugo Leon, placed 45thcurrently, would be the last man in to the Ras Al Khaimah Challenge Tour Grand Final if the cut-off fell today. The Chilean has seen a considerable rise in his stock lately after a season-best third place finish at the Cordon Golf Open two weeks ago and a solid tied 23rdplace showing in Kazakhstan. The result last week was enough to move him from 47thinto the all-important top 45.
Another player who went from out to in last week was Damien Perrier. The Frenchman carded four consecutive rounds in the 60s at Zhailjau Golf Resort, which came on the heels of a top ten finish at his home event, the Cordon Golf Open. He now sits just inside the cut-off at 44thon the Road to Ras Al Khaimah.
Both Leon and Perrier will need to bring their best stuff in the four events that remain before the Grand Final as they are being chased by several players who continue to build momentum.
Entering the fold after a tied fifth place finish last week is England’s Nathan Kimsey, who catapulted from 80thto 51ston the Road to Ras Al Khaimah and is now in with a shout to qualify for the 28thand final Challenge Tour event of the year.
Romaine Langasque, who played on the European Tour last season, seems to be returning to form, and has moved from 107thall the way up to 55thin his last three events. If the 23 year old maintains his torrid pace, he could find himself knocking on the door of an even more important number in two months’ time.
The 15
When the last putt drops at the Ras Al Khaimah Challenge Tour Grand Final, the top 15 players on the Rankings will officially be able to celebrate their graduation to the European Tour. Until that point, the pressure will only intensify as a seemingly endless queue of gifted players try to leapfrog one another and snatch one of those crucial spots.
After a dramatic win at the Kazakhstan Open presented by ERG, where at one point six players co-led on the final day, Scotland’s Liam Johnston has made a monumental leap from 40thto 4thon the Road to Ras Al Khaimah and is suddenly in great shape heading into the home stretch of the season.
Kazakhstan runner-up Tom Murray made a big jump of his own to now find himself inside the top 15 for the first time all season — up from 45thin only a single week.
The other man to have entered the top 15 in short order is Tom Lewis, who rocketed from 56thto 12thon the Rankings courtesy of a win at the Bridgestone Challenge and a tied third place finish in Kazakhstan.
As the big movers have demonstrated, a strong result at a key moment can severely disrupt the Road to Ras Al Khaimah. While there may not be many events left, a win is all any golfer on the bubble will need to knock a fellow competitor out of a key cut-off position.
