Englishman’s victory secures 2018 Challenge Tour Card
Cumbria’s Adam Chapman clinched the HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour Sky Sports Tour Championship in style when leading from wire to wire at the Amendoeria Golf Resort’s Faldo course.
Chapman, from the Carus Green Golf Club, had a stuttering start to his final round with two bogies and just one birdie on his first six holes, while MK Kim (Golfmind, Korea) claimed three birdies to tie for the lead. However, Chapman’s steely resolve ensured that the early setback was turned to his advantage as he later explained: “It put my mind off the title and made me get a grip of myself. I preferred being level trying to chase the win. I almost felt too comfortable with a four-shot lead.”
Chapman’s performance at Oceânico Amendoeira – his first win of the EuroPro season – catapulted him from 54th to 3rd place in the Order of Merit to secure the sought-after 2018 Challenge Tour card. The modest Englishman scored a memorable ace in his second round and came close to repeating the feat in his final round on the 11th hole to reflect an all-round champion performance.
With the season now complete, the top five on the tour standings earn a place on next year’s Challenge Tour. Injured Chris Lloyd (The Kendleshire) retains top spot followed by rookie of the year MK Kim in second place.
With Chapman securing third, Huddersfield Golf Club’s Nick Marsh nudged into fourth place. A steady performance from Northern Ireland’s Jonathan Caldwell (Clandeboye Golf Club) in 15th position at Amendoeira allowed him to take the fifth and final place in the Challenge Tour rankings.
As editor of Clubhouse Algarve magazine, your humble reporter represented Open Media in the Monday Pro-Am event won by Jonathan Caldwell and it was a privilege to be in the Northern Irishman’s team.
It was a pleasure to witness his stunning performance at close quarters as he returned a score of 4-under par to take first place in the professionals’ competition.
While a team victory in the overall Pro-Am proved elusive (maybe next year!), Jonathan Caldwell’s prowess suggested that he would do well in the three-day tournament and he duly secured the priceless place on next season’s Challenge Tour.
With the Oceânico Amendoeira Golf Resort’s Faldo course in fantastic condition beneath beautiful sunshine, everything was set for a memorable event and the high-quality golf from an international field did justice to the occasion.
The highlights package to be screened on Sky Sports Golf channel on November 7 featuring action from the tournament is not to be missed.
For more details of, and full breakdown of, Sky Sports Tour Championship results, visit www.europrotour.com
By TOM CALLAN
