Angel Ayora has made a fast start to his debut season on the DP World Tour after excelling on the Challenge Tour in 2024.
The Spaniard currently sits eighth on the early Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex after recording two top ten finishes in just three starts to kick-start his first full campaign on golf’s Global Tour.
The 20-year-old, who made the switch to the professional ranks at the end of 2023, began the 2024 Challenge Tour season playing on invites before going on to end the year fourth in the Road to Mallorca Rankings, recording a maiden win and six other top tens in the process.
Ayora was the youngest of the 22 Challenge Tour graduates, and with the Spanish prospect setting his sights on a big future in the game, he’s hoping that promotion from the Challenge Tour to the DP World Tour is just the start of his journey.
“My first season as a professional has been amazing,” he said. “My main goal for this season was always to get to the DP World Tour, and now I have that.
“My dream is to make the Ryder Cup team one day. This year, I’ve seen the likes of Matteo (Manassero), who was on the Challenge Tour last year, and now next year will go to the PGA TOUR. It’s very inspirational to see that and that’s the goal for me too.
“After my win I felt like I was close to getting my card, but it was also motivation to keep going, to maybe have another win.
“It’s very tough to win and I think there are two parts to. The first day, and then the last day, on the back nine, you need to have a great mentality to win, and not to lose your patience. The mentality needs to be good and that week it was.”
Ayora’s win came in the Rosa Challenge Tour in September which saw him climb into promotion contention, before he registered three top five finishes in his last five starts, including a tied second in the season-ending Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final supported by The R&A, to end the year as the Number Four.
The Spaniard believes he is set up for success and credits the Challenge Tour with preparing him for the next step.
“The level is very high,” he said. “I really don’t think there’s a big difference between the Challenge Tour and the DP World Tour.
“The level of the game of the players is very similar. Hard work and patience are so important because you can’t start the season and expect to win straight away.
“For me I think it’s fundamental to have a year or two years on the Challenge Tour to prepare your game and your mentality for the DP World Tour. It’s like going to high school and then university. It’s the steps you need to make to succeed.”
