European Challenge Tour Number One Jordan Smith is hungry to cement his place at the top of the Road to Oman Rankings by carrying on his imperious from on Europe’s top developmental tour in China this week.
Having secured his European Tour card for next season with a second place finish at the lucrative Kazakhstan Open two weeks ago, the 23 year old has amassed a healthy lead at the summit of the Rankings after picking up more than 150,000 points.
With seven top tens and a maiden Challenge Tour title already under his belt this year, the Englishman is still not satisfied, and is looking to write his name in the history books alongside the likes of Henrik Stenson, Edoardo Molinari and Andrew Johnston as a Challenge Tour Number One.
“That is the main aim now, to finish as the Challenge Tour Number One,” said Smith, who is teeing it up in the Hainan Open this week. “My caddie keeps bugging me as he really wants to wear the golden bib when we are at the Grand Final in Oman!
“With so many great players finishing top of the Challenge Tour Rankings, I think it would stand me in really good stead for next season if I can finish top.
“China is a place I have never been to before, and I am looking forward to seeing the golf courses and experiencing another culture.
“The course this week in Hainan, from what I have seen, looks really good, and looks like it is set up really nicely.
“Getting that good result in Kazakhstan has meant I can relax a bit, and just enjoy the last few events of the year and not worry about the money side of things.
“I can be a bit more aggressive off the tee in China, Ras Al Khaimah and Oman, go for it on the par fives and try and drive the greens on the short par fours.”
Smith, who won his first Challenge Tour title in style with a wire-to-wire victory in Egypt in April, is used to leading from the front after topping the Order of Merit on the satellite EuroPro Tour last season.
“If I can top the Order of Merit for two years in a row, I think it will really help with the confidence,” he said. “It will mean I am in a good position going on to the European Tour.
“I have had a couple of messages from Callum Shinkwin and Tyrrell Hatton congratulating me on securing my card for next year.
“After playing a couple of tournaments on the European Tour – in Austria this year and Russia last season – I do feel as though the courses will be set up a bit tougher, with longer rough and firmer greens.
“But we have played some challenging courses on the Challenge Tour this year, and the high level of scoring and competitiveness each week on this tour is something I also feel will stand me in good stead for next year.”
