Rankings leader Robert Dinwiddie of England is bidding to capture back to back Challenge Tour titles this week when he tees up at the inaugural Turkish Airlines Challenge presented by Carya Golf Club.
Dinwiddie is in fine form so far this season on the Challenge Tour, having followed up his fifth place finish in the season-opening event in Colombia with victory at the Kenya Open.
After an enforced break due to the postponement of last week’s Moroccan Golf Classic, during which he played a number of practice rounds across south west London and Kent in the company of friends, Dinwiddie is relishing the chance to extend his lead at the top of the Rankings at the magnificent Carya Golf Club in Turkey, Antalya.
Dinwiddie, born in Scotland but raised south of the border in England, lost his playing privileges on The European Tour after struggling with his long game last season, but that confidence-boosting victory in Nairobi – his third on the Challenge Tour – has convinced the 27 year old his absence from the top tier will be a temporary one.
He said: “It’s obviously been a great start to the season for me, with the top five finish in Colombia and then the win in Kenya. It’s one thing to say that you want to win on the Challenge Tour, particularly early in the season, but to then actually go ahead and do it was fantastic. I didn’t want to put too much pressure on myself but it was obviously important that I hit the ground running this year, after what was a disappointing season in 2009.
“I was probably slightly disappointed with how I played in Madeira, but my game felt like it was almost there – I just couldn’t see some of the shots. I felt like I was making one step forward and two steps back, because whenever I’d make a birdie and go on a bit of a charge, I’d throw a double bogey in a few holes later. But I was able to write it off fairly quickly, and I’ve been playing well in practice this last week, so I’m pretty confident heading to Turkey.
“I’m not really paying too close attention to the Rankings at the moment, because we’ve only had two events so it’s still very early in the season. If I was still top with two events to go rather than having only played two events, then maybe I’d start getting excited. But having said all that, it’s obviously still a good position to be in – I’d certainly rather be at the top of the Rankings than the bottom! It’s hopefully now given me the momentum I need to go on and win two or three events this season, and get straight back on to The European Tour.”
The main contenders hoping to foil Dinwiddie’s hopes of a double include Colombian David Vanegas, who is making his first Challenge Tour appearance since his triumph on home soil at the start of the season.
His fellow South American Julio Zapata of Argentina, second behind Dinwiddie in both Kenya and the current Rankings, is also in the field.
Another player seeking his maiden Challenge Tour title this week is Scotland’s George Murray, who took heart from his third place finish in Madeira.
He said: “I was delighted with third, because it means I’ve now got enough money to play a full season on the Challenge Tour without having to worry. It’s the biggest paycheque of my career, and it’s come at a handy time because I’m getting married next year, so I certainly won’t be squandering it!”
