The Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final supported by The R&A takes place at Club de Golf Alcanada this week, from November 2-5, with 20 life-changing DP World Tour cards on offer. Here are three players to keep a look out for, all situated in very different positions in the current Road to Mallorca Rankings…
Form horse
Ricardo Gouveia is no stranger to a Challenge Tour Grand Final. The Portuguese ended the season as Challenge Tour Number One in 2015 following victory at the Grand Final in Oman, and has the opportunity to become the first man in history to win either (or both) of those titles for a second time this week. Gouveia has won twice already this season and arrives in Mallorca as the Number Ten having won the recent Hainan Open in China. The 32-year-old is now second on the list of Challenge Tour wins with seven, and an eighth this week would tie Englishman Ian Pyman’s record.
Local boy
Road to Mallorca Number One Manuel Elvira is the man everyone is aiming to catch this week, as he looks to put the icing on the cake on home soil following an outstanding year. The Spaniard has come close to a breakthrough win on several occasions, finishing second three times as well as recording seven other top tens. He’s made more cuts than anyone else this season with 21 from 24 and has the second best stroke average on the Challenge Tour. Another top ten finish came in China two weeks ago and saw Elvira move to the summit of the Road to Mallorca Rankings for the first time in 2023. An elusive first win would make for a dream week at Alcanada as he prepares to join brother Nacho on the DP World Tour next season.
The outsider
Steven Brown will tee it up this week having climbed 29 places up to 41st in the Road to Mallorca Rankings following his performance at the Hainan Open two weeks ago. The Englishman carded rounds of 69-67-66-74 to finish tied third – his best result of the season - to guarantee his place in the season finale in Mallorca. He’s now just 248.43 points behind Euan Walker who occupies the final promotion place and, with 640 points available for the winner in Spain, a strong finish this week would put him in contention for one of the coveted cards on offer.
