Connor Syme sits at the top of the European Challenge Tour Rankings following the opening two events of the 2019 campaign.
The Scot sealed his maiden Challenge Tour title at the first event of the season at the Turkish Airlines Challenge, beating Italy’s Francesco Laporta in a play-off at Samsun Golf Club, after four days of exciting action on the Black Sea coast.
The Italian set the pace during the first round with a ten under par round of 62 before Mark Flindt Haastrup led at the halfway stage on 16 under par following a sensational 11 under par 61. Poland’s Adrian Meronk held a one-shot lead going into the final round, with Syme three strokes behind. However, after five under par final round, the Scotsman forced a play-off and a birdie on the first hole was enough to beat Laporta and claim his first professional victory to top the Rankings.
Challenge Tour players then jetted to Spain for the Challenge de España, where Antoine Rozner carded a stunning back nine on Sunday to clinch his first victory on the Challenge Tour. The Frenchman shot five under par in four holes, including holing out for an eagle on the 15th fairway, to surge ahead and clinch the second event of the season.
Syme finished in a share of 27th place to increase his advantage in the Rankings, while Rozner raced up the points race from 47th position to second.
