Scott Fernandez is hoping that home advantage at this week’s Challenge de España can help propel him into the top 15 as the 2017 European Challenge Tour season nears its climax.
Izki Golf Club plays host to the 23rdevent on the 2017 Road to Oman, and with just five tournaments left on Europe’s top developmental tour this term it couldn’t be tighter at the top.
Fernandez, who currently sits in 25thplace in the Rankings, is well-placed to make a late-season charge and is only 11,000 points away from a place in the top 15 who qualify for the European Tour for next season.
Returning to his homeland in Alava in Spain’s Basque region, Fernandez believes his local knowledge could prove key at the Seve Ballesteros-designed course this week.
“I played there a long time ago but I remember it well,” he said. “I was last there in a Spanish junior championship when I was 21 and I remember that there are a lot of blind shots from the tee so you need to shape the ball from the tee as the fairways are sloped.
“At this time of year the rough is going to be pretty thick so it is going to be quite tricky. I know that the course was designed by Seve so there is a lot of shaping your shots and feeling for the ball with a lot of wedge shots – it is quite a different test compared to what we have already played this year.
“It is going to be great to be at a home ground this week. A lot of my friends and family are coming to support me so hopefully I will have a good crowd following me!”
The 25 year old has twice been in contention this season, first at the D+D REAL Czech Challenge in May – where he finished fourth – then at the Rolex Trophy in August where a final round of 65 saw him claim a share of third place.
Having been close to a maiden professional victory on two occasions this season, the man from Granada is looking to get over the line in his home country.
“Things are starting to get really tight now,” he said. “It is definitely coming down to the wire and with a few big tournaments left anything can happen. You need to be sharp and fresh as a lot of the guys are pushing hard.
“The week in Rolex was the best of my career and I has been great to draw on those memories throughout the season. Whether I have a good week or a bad week I look back at that tournament and it makes me happy.
“I have finished third and fourth so I feel comfortable at the top of the leaderboard now. One week can change everything – especially coming down the stretch. I am definitely aiming to win an event – that is my main goal this season.”
