Oliver Farr and Jake Roos showed true mental fortitude on day two of the Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand Final hosted by Al Badia Golf Club as the two players attempt to keep a firm grasp on their places inside the top 15 on the Europea Challenge Tour Rankings.
Farr entered the week in 13th place in the Rankings knowing he could not falter at the season finale and the Welshman has not succumbed to the pressure one bit, adding a one under par 71 to his opening 69 to move to fourth place on four under par.
The Challenge Tour Rookie, who claimed his maiden victory at the Turkish Airlines Challenge in May, was feeling comfortable and confident he could finish the job this week.
“Starting the week in 13th is a good position to be in because I’m obviously in the top 15 and it’s in my own hands,” said the 26 year old.
“If I play well then I should be OK, but there is a little bit of looking over your shoulder at some stages. I haven’t even thought about it once on the course, off the course we’ve been chatting about it.
“I think it’s good to talk about it and get it out of your system but on the course it’s been all about these last few rounds and it’s been pretty good so far.
“I’m happy with my game and I brought my form from Oman into this week. If I was further down the leaderboard after my first two rounds then I might have been more into where I might finish but at the moment I’m trying to win this tournament and I’m in a good position to do that.
“This week is funny because it’s my first time here but last year I was third going into the final event in the satellite EuroPro Tour and the top five got their cards there so I’ve experienced this feeling before and I’m trying to learn from what I did that week last year.”
Roos, meanwhile, had fallen to 15th in the projected Challenge Tour Rankings after a one over par opening round but he bounced back in determined fashion with a three under second round 69 to make himself a little more comfortable going into the final two days at Al Badia Golf Club.
“I’m just trying to see it as another tournament,” said the South African, who has won twice this season on the Challenge Tour. “I had good fun with the guys in my group and I enjoyed the day.
“I haven’t been keeping an eye on projected rankings or what I need this week at all. I’m just trying to play my game and have a good finish and keep to my game plan and if I can do that I will be happy.
“I can’t really work the permutations out because it all depends on who does what around me so that’s why I’m just trying to play to my potential shoot a good number and if I can do that I’ll be happy. If it’s good enough great but otherwise I have to go back to the drawing board for the next time.
“It’s not an easy position to be in but I quite enjoy it because it forces me to be quite disciplined with my thoughts and so far it’s been good, I’ve been enjoying it. Every day I just need to get a couple under and get into contention and that would be awesome.”
