The European Challenge Tour heads to its final stop on the Road to Mallorca - the Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final supported by The R&A, held at T Golf & Country Club, and here’s everything you need to know for the week ahead.
Life-changing opportunity
The Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final supported by The R&A will bring the 2021 Road to Mallorca to a close and every player in the 45-man field can earn themselves a life-changing European Tour card by finishing in the top 20 on the Rankings. The prize fund has increased this year from €420,000 to €450,000, meaning a strong performance in Mallorca is more important than ever. The winner will receive €78,000 making it mathematically possible for any of the top 12 players on the Rankings to finish at the top with a victory at the Grand Final.
Eyeing history
Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia and Norway’s Espen Kofstad are both looking to become the first player to top the Challenge Tour Rankings on two separate occasions. Gouveia secured victory at the 2015 Grand Final in Oman to subsequently top the Rankings, while Kofstad claimed the Rankings and Grand Final double in 2012 after victory in Italy. The Portuguese currently sits in second place on the Rankings on 156,666 points, 7,272 points behind Road to Mallorca Number One Santiago Tarrio after victories at the Italian Challenge and Made in Esbjerg Challenge and now has eyes on leapfrogging the Spaniard to make history in Mallorca. Kofstad heads into the season finale in tenth position on the Rankings and would need to win the Grand Final, whilst relying on several other results to go in his favour, if he is to be crowned Challenge Tour Number One for the second time in his career.
A grand venue
T Golf & Country Club was originally named Golf Poniente when designed by the famous American John Harris in 1978. In 2015, German businessman Heiner Tamsen transformed the course into one of the best on the island of Mallorca and it was renamed. The fairways and lakes underwent a rigorous treatment process with large fish and turtles now regularly seen, while the latest and eco-friendly irrigation systems were installed that save water and energy. The restaurant is run by Isaac González, who has worked at leading hotels and resorts across Europe and there is a new rooftop lounge which provides magnificent views over the course and the Tramuntana Mountains.
