England’s Richard Mansell is somebody who is widely regarded to have the game to compete at the top level and, despite a tricky year, he showed flashes of that ability as he finished fourth on the Road to Mallorca.
Mansell would be the first to admit he endured a tough start to the year with four successive missed cuts in South Africa and also the first event on European soil at the Austrian Open.
However, it was in the very next event which spurred him into action. A sublime seven under par third round of 64 meant he was in position for a tilt at the title at the dual-ranked Euram Bank Open, but he was narrowly beaten on the final day by France’s Joel Stalter.
The 25-year-old was full of confidence and did not miss a cut for the rest of the year. His best showing was a second place at the Andalucía Challenge de España as he was beaten by two by Ondrej Lieser.
With confidence high and another event on the same course, Mansell frustratingly tested positive for Covid-19 and was forced to self isolate, meaning he had to miss the Andalucía Challenge de Cádiz.
After making a full recovery, Mansell was given the green light to travel to the Challenge Tour Grand Final and chase down the Challenge Tour Number One spot. It was like he had never been away. The Englishman posted opening rounds of 66-67 to head the leaderboard, but a third round 77 meant he fell away and a tilt at the title disappeared.
He eventually finished in a tie for 21st place which secured fourth position on the Road to Mallorca Rankings and capped off a positive season.
