Players will compete for total prize money of more than €8,000,000 for the second consecutive year and the 2024 Road to Mallorca will begin with the SDC Open at the start of February, the first of four co-sanctioned events with the Sunshine Tour in South Africa.

The Challenge Tour returns to India in March with the Delhi Challenge and Kolkata Challenge, the latter of which will be played at Royal Calcutta Golf Club – the oldest golf club in India and the first outside of Great Britain.

The Road to Mallorca heads to the United Arab Emirates in April with back-to-back events, the Abu Dhabi Challenge at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club followed by the UAE Challenge once again at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, as part of the European Tour group’s long-term partnership with the Emirates Golf Federation.

The Challenge Tour will head to Spain in May for the Challenge de España, which will kick-start a run of 18 tournaments in 21 weeks and see the Road to Mallorca travel through 14 countries in Europe, including Poland for the Rosa Challenge Tour and Ireland for the Irish Challenge at The K Club, the 2006 Ryder Cup venue, which hosted the Irish Open in 2023 and will do so again in 2025 and 2027.

The Road to Mallorca returns to China for back-to-back events in October, the Hainan Open followed by the Hangzhou Open, which offers a final opportunity to tee it up in the Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final supported by The R&A.

The Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final returns to Club de Golf Alcanada for the third successive year for the end-of-season showpiece from October 31 – November 3, as the top 45 players on the Rankings battle it out in Mallorca for one of the life changing 20 DP World Tour cards.

Those 20 players who benefit from this formal pathway to the DP World Tour will then be eligible for the DP World Tour’s Earnings Assurance Programme, guaranteeing them minimum earnings of $150,000 for the 2025 season if they play in 15 or more events.

The top five graduates will also benefit from the John Jacobs Bursary, similarly designed to provide security and a strong platform for their first season on the European Tour group’s top tier.

Jamie Hodges, Head of Challenge Tour, said: “I would like to thank all our promoters, national Federations and tournament sponsors who are absolutely integral to the success of the Challenge Tour and have helped make this global schedule possible.

“The number of different countries we are visiting, the variety of courses and conditions, in addition to the overall experiences the players get on the Challenge Tour will ensure they are fully equipped to make the step up to the DP World Tour.

“The success of our graduates on the DP World Tour in 2023, as well as the impressive start made by our graduates so far in 2024, highlights the calibre of golfer that the Challenge Tour continues to produce. Their careers benefited from our formal pathway to the DP World Tour and following in their footsteps is a great incentive for our members competing on the Challenge Tour in 2024.

“We are also very grateful for the commitment of Rolex, The R&A, and DP World through their title partnership of the DP World Tour, all of which has helped us raise prize funds and increase playing opportunities for our members.”

Last season, 25 former Challenge Tour players won on the DP World Tour – including 2022 graduates Matthew Baldwin, Tom McKibbin, Daniel Hillier and Todd Clements, while six finished inside the top ten on the DP World Tour Rankings in Partnership with Rolex.

Matthieu Pavon became the 213th former Challenge Tour player to win on the DP World Tour when he secured a four-shot triumph at the acciona Open de España presented by Madrid, while the total number of wins by Challenge Tour alumni is now 570.

Six former Challenge Tour players helped Team Europe to their dominant 16½-11½ victory against the United States in the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone, including debutants Robert MacIntyre and Nicolai Højgaard, who went on to win the DP World Tour Championship last month to finish second on the Race to Dubai.

Image: Challenge Tour

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The Challenge Tour has shown another sign of its growth in  popularity as it signed an agreement with Arena Group until 2025.

The deal will see will see the global events solutions business become an Official Sponsor the Challenge Tour’s UAE swing — the UAE Challenge and the Abu Dhabi Challenge.

This partnership further cements Arena’s long-standing relationship with golf, where it provides event infrastructure to some of the sport’s biggest tournaments. The company is committed to giving back to the game and partners with a number of professional players including DP World Tour’s Ryan Fox.

“Golf has been a cornerstone of Arena’s business for many years, and we’re delighted to further our commitment by becoming a partner of the Challenge Tour” said Paul Berger, Chief Executive Officer of Arena Group.

“The Challenge Tour is highly competitive and gives a platform to the next generation of professional golfers, and Arena is thrilled to support the development of these future stars.

“At Arena we remain committed to supporting the golf industry, its tournaments and players as the game continues to grow throughout the world.”

Jamie Hodges, Challenge Tour Director, added: “We’re delighted that Arena are choosing to invest in the Challenge Tour, and the new UAE swing in particular, for three seasons. With this partnership, we can further elevate these two events as we continue to grow our schedule and give talented players from around the world a strong and competitive pathway to the DP World Tour.”

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Lauri Ruuska was a bit banged up after playing some ice hockey on the eve of the Vierumäki Finnish Challenge. But that didn’t stop the 29-year-old from making a bit of golf history on Thursday.

The native of Finland shot a 12-under 59 in the first round to became only the fourth player to break 60 on the Challenge Tour.

“It sounds pretty amazing to be part of the 59 Club,” Ruuska said after his amazing round on the DP World Tour’s feeder circuit. “Honestly, I knew it was going to be a low scoring week and I saw myself being able to do it, but I didn’t quite believe it.”

Have a look at Lauri’s beautiful scorecard that included 10 birdies and an eagle:

Lauri Ruuska becomes only the fourth player in Challenge Tour history to record a round of 59 or better #FinnishChallenge pic.twitter.com/l529Rq6mQ1

— Challenge Tour (@Challenge_Tour) August 17, 2023

Even better? He did it on his home soil.

“Where else would you want to shoot a 59? Maybe at a Major Championship, but to do it at home is really special,” Ruuska added.

But making Ruuska’s round even more remarkable was that he was playing with what he described as stiffness in his hands and forearms after playing hockey the previous day.

“Obviously, I need to get back to the rink,” Ruuska said with a laugh. “Actually, my legs felt really good from yesterday, but my hands from here, are still a bit stiff and the forearms as well. But it seems that’s the recipe for good golf.”

Who says golfers aren’t tough? Anyway, here was Ruuska’s post-round interview:

"It feels quite amazing to shoot 59."

Lauri Ruuska on his history making round ? #FinnishChallenge pic.twitter.com/uf6CWZTNP0

— Challenge Tour (@Challenge_Tour) August 17, 2023

Ruuska had a chance to match the 58 shot on the Challenge Tour by Alejandro del Ray at the 2021 Swiss Challenge, but missed a birdie attempt from about 12 feet on his ninth and final hole at the Vierumäki Resort. Jim Furyk on the PGA Tour (2016), Stephan Jaeger on the Korn Ferry Tour (2016), and, of course, Bryson DeChambeau just a couple weeks ago on the LIV Tour are among those who have also shot 58s on major professional tours.

But we’re guessing none of them did it while battling hockey injuries. Well done, Lauri. And be careful out there — on the ice, that is.

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Alex Fitzpatrick is a winner on the European Challenge Tour for the first time after producing an outstanding final day charge to win by five strokes at the British Challenge at St Mellion.

The Englishman, brother of former US Open champ Matt,who finished tied 17th at The 151st Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Club two weeks ago, registered a four-under round of 68 to go with rounds of 72-66-70 to reach 12-under for the week and win by five shots ahead of Welshman Stuart Manley, Frenchman Tom Vaillant and fellow Englishman Ross McGowan who shared second.

The 24-year-old carded just four bogeys all week in testing conditions in Cornwall, and catapults him into seventh place on the Road to Mallorca Rankings to close in on promotion to the DP World Tour.

Fitzpatrick was delighted to secure a maiden win on the Challenge Tour having come close on several occasions already in 2023.

“I’m ecstatic,” he said. “I feel like I’ve been playing some decent golf and I’ve been putting in a lot of work. It’s just nice to see it finally pay off.

“Sunday is always tough. You know people are going to make a move and luckily I was the one that did. I couldn’t be happier.

“Over the past year on the Challenge Tour, I feel like I’ve put myself in contention quite a lot. I did it in India and in the Netherlands but not got it over the line. It’s been an amazing week and I’m very happy to get it done.”

Special moments after Alex Fitzpatrick secured a maiden Challenge Tour win ?#BritishChallenge | @FitzAlex99 pic.twitter.com/rHvkbNR8xh

— Challenge Tour (@Challenge_Tour) August 6, 2023

Fitzpatrick started the day three strokes behind overnight leader Manley, but birdied two of his opening four holes to close the gap to one. After Manley bogeyed the sixth, Fitzpatrick took the outright lead for the first time on the following hole with a gain at the seventh.

The Englishman then added back-to-back birdies on 12 and 13 to move clear and despite a bogey on the 15th, he parred his way home to secure a resounding win on a course that he admits provided a tough challenge all week.

“I bogeyed the 18th on day three, but before that I’d gone 48 holes without a bogey, which around this course is pretty good,” he added. “It’s a tough golf course as it’s so tight off the tee. You’ve almost got to pick the widest part of the fairway to aim at, and then be sensible when approaching the greens and try to make your birdies from there.

“It was tense to be honest. I didn’t know where I was until I came off the 13th green where I holed a really good putt. At that point, I just had to know where I was. Our target at the start of the day was to get to 13-under par, and I was close enough.”

???pic.twitter.com/PRTOoUejyw

— Matt Fitzpatrick (@MattFitz94) August 6, 2023

Scotsman Euan Walker, who won at St Mellion in 2022, finished fifth on six-under par alongside Italian Andrea Pavan and Englishman Ashley Chesters. Englishman Josh Hilleard and Hamish Brown from Denmark were one shot further back in eighth.

South African Casey Jarvis remains at the top of the Road to Mallorca Rankings on 1,131 points, with Frenchman Ugo Coussaud in second on 995. Manley’s second place finish this week sees him enter the top ten for the first time this season.

The Road to Mallorca now heads to Aberdeenshire for the Scottish Challenge from August 10-13.

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Maximilian ‘Max’ Rottluff got the maximum seal of approval for the biggest win of his career as none other than the legendary Gary Player himself took time out to congratulate the German on his maiden Challenge Tour victory.

The 30-year-old teed it up alongside the likes of Road to Mallorca No. 1 Ugo Coussaud, DP World Tour winners Matteo Manassero, Álvaro Quirós and Oliver Fisher plus a host of risings stars last week at the UAE Challenge at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club in Abu Dhabi.

But, along with the hefty €43,000-plus pay cheque, the biggest pay day of his career, Max was maxed to the hilt by the man who designed the course — and who also picked up nine majors during the course of his prolific career as a player.

Gary Player in action at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club

Rottluff, making his first start on the Challenge Tour this season, carded a final-round 70 to reach 14-under and finish one stroke clear of Coussaud. He also hit a course-record 63 on Saturday on his way to the top — and was admired by the man whose UAE course he mastered after a memorable triumph.

“I’m thrilled for Maximilian Rottluff and his first victory on the European Challenge Tour,” said Player to Golf Digest Middle East. “The tournament seemed to have everything for him — from a course record at Saadiyat Beach to a final-round comeback even after a bogey on his opening hole. Many congratulations to Maximilian, but remember, the work really starts now!”

Following a career that included 159 professional wins — including those nine majors — Mr Fitness, who is still hitting it better than most at the age of 87, turned his hand to golf-course design, and Player prides Saadiyat Beach GC among his finest, along with many of his South African home’s best course such as Gary Player Country Club and Leopard Creek, plus illustrious overseas venues like Wentworth in England. He has been involved with more than 400 design projects.

 

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A post shared by Gary Player Design (@garyplayerdesign)

That is heady respect indeed for Max to take after a 63 and the Abu Dhabi crown.

For a bit of review of this past week in Abu Dhabi, despite his Saturday heroics, Rottluff started his final round two shots back from overnight leader Manuel Elvira. But, even after bogeying his opening hole, he showed nerves of steel to turn it on after the turn, whacking in five birdies in a seven-hole stretch on his way to victory.

Max is up to 14th in the Race to Mallorca standings and has already secured his spot on the Challenge Tour next season. But if he continues this form he may get a money-spinning spot on the DP World Tour next term.

As Player says: “The work really starts now!”

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Maximilian Rottluff held his nerve to secure a maiden European Challenge Tour victory at the UAE Challenge at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.

The German, making his first start on the Challenge Tour this season, carded a round of 70 to reach 14-under and finish one shot clear of Road to Mallorca No. 1 Ugo Coussaud.

The story of a dramatic final day at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club ?#UAEChallenge pic.twitter.com/xo1QoNfhDg

— Challenge Tour (@Challenge_Tour) May 7, 2023

The 30-year-old, who climbed the leaderboard on moving day with a course-record 63, was delighted to claim a memorable win in Abu Dhabi.

“It means everything,” he said. “I’m speechless really. There were times this winter where I wasn’t sure whether or not I would keep playing or not, but here I am.

“I saw the leaderboard on the 17th for the first time and figured it was going to be a close call.

“I had some good targets which is one of the things you need on this golf course as it always plays hard. There’s not an easy golf shot out here, but I felt confident. It’s stressful to win a golf tournament though, especially on a golf course like this.

“There’s a lot of work and a lot of people that help me behind the scenes and I’m extremely grateful for those people.”

Rottluff started his final round two shots back from overnight leader Manuel Elvira, and after bogeying his opening hole and the par four eighth, he looked to be out of contention, however his round changed as he reached the turn.

Rottluff birdied five of his next seven holes from the ninth to join Coussaud at the top of the leaderboard, only for the Frenchman to bogey the 17th, giving Rottluff the outright lead.

Rottluff catapults to 14th on the Road to Mallorca Rankings and ensures his playing rights on the Challenge Tour for the remainder of the season.

“It changes everything for me,” he said. “The last two weeks I was checking if I was in the tournament or not probably five times a day and now I know I can play in every tournament I want on the Challenge Tour.

“Now I can plan and maybe I’ll rent a bigger van for the rest of the season, so it’s phenomenal for me.

“I’m excited to get home, to see my little one and my friends.”

Coussaud finished in second place on 13-under par, one shot ahead of Scotland’s Craig Howie and Dutchman Lars van Meijel who shared third.

Spaniard Ivan Cantero Gutirrez finished tied fifth alongside James Allan from England on 11-under, with Italian Matteo Manassero one shot further back in sixth.

Coussaud extends his lead at the top of the Road to Mallorca Rankings with 909 points, South African JJ Senekal remains in second on 446 points and Adam Blomme from Sweden stays third on 424 points.

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The Spaniard birdied three of his opening four holes to take the solo lead having started his round two shots behind playing partner Craig Howie.

The 26-year-old registered eight birdies and just one bogey to top the leaderboard at 14-under, two shots clear of Germany’s Maximilian Rottluff.

Elvira, who holed a 50 foot putt on the last to extend his advantage, made the most of favourable scoring conditions to shoot the second lowest round of the week, and was pleased to put himself in a position to contend.

“I hit some good shots throughout my round, except maybe the last few holes,” he said. “Even then, on 18, I didn’t hit the best shot and I was hoping for a two putt, but it went in so that’s one of those bonus shots.

“Today was good. It was an easier day I would say and less windy than the first couple of days,” he said. “I had to make a few adjustments but I stuck to my game plan.”

Elvira is searching for his first win on the Challenge Tour having come close already this season. He finished in 10th place at the SDC Open in February before a T-2 result at The Challenge presented by KGA, and he’s hoping to go one better on Sunday.

“It would mean a lot. I’ve been close a couple of times this season. I’m trying to knock on the door as much as I can, and I have to break it open.

“The plan is just to stick to what I’ve been doing. Be aggressive when I can be and be conservative when I have to.”

Rottluff surged up the leaderboard with a course record 63 to get within two of Elvira. Two shots further back in third is Spaniard Ivan Cantero Gutierrez on 10-under par, with overnight leader Howie in fourth on nine-under.

Road to Mallorca Number One Ugo Coussaud moved into contention with a four-under 68 to get to eight-under, where he’s joined by South African Jaco Prinsloo, England’s James Allan and Italian Matteo Manassero.

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Ivan Cantero Gutierrez carded two eagles on his way to a five-under opening round of 67 to take a one shot lead after day one of the UAE Challenge at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.

The Spaniard had to contend with blustery conditions on the Arabian Gulf, but a birdie on the ninth — his final hole — will see him take a one-stroke lead into day two ahead of Ireland’s Conor Purcell and South African Brandon Stone, who share second place.

The 27-year-old has registered two top 20 finishes in his last two appearances on the Road to Mallorca, and after finishing tied second at the Abu Dhabi Challenge last week, he’s playing with confidence.

“I’ve worked really hard in the last few weeks at home,” he said. “I’m more confident with my game. My driving is pretty good and my putting has been great. When you have confidence, scoring is easier.

“I’m feeling great. I played really solid golf in conditions that are really tough. I hit a lot of drivers and my second shots were six or five irons.

“The course is in amazing condition. I’m really happy with my game, and hopefully it’s the same tomorrow.”

Cantero Gutierrez started his round on the 10th hole and was four-under at the turn thanks to two eagles, one of which came on his opening hole. With the wind set to drop tomorrow, he’s hoping for more scoring opportunities on day two.

“It felt really good to start with an eagle on the first hole,” he said. “I hit my driver to three metres, so it made it easier as I started well.

“I think tomorrow the course is going to be a bit easier. I think it’ll be easier to have a good score tomorrow morning, but this is golf. I’ll just try to have a good score.”

Ten players share fourth place at three-under par, including Road to Mallorca No. 1 Ugo Coussaud, Duncan Taylor Black Bull Challenge winner Om Prakash Chouhan and Scotland’s Daniel Young, who still has one hole left of his opening round as play was suspended due to darkness.

The back-to-back events in Abu Dhabi have been made possible due to the long-term partnership between the European Tour group and the Emirates Golf Federation.

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A host of the UAE’s homegrown players are set to feature in one of the strongest Challenge Tour fields in recent history when the Abu Dhabi Challenge gets under way on Thursday at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

Nineteen former DP World Tour winners with a combined 46 top tier wins between them will tee it up this week, including Stephen Gallacher, David Howell and Alvaro Quiros.

They will go head-to-head with the UAE’s No.1 golfer Ahmad Skaik, several members of the UAE National Team and a number of UAE residents.

“That’s the beauty of the Challenge Tour, it gives local players the chance to rub shoulders with the latest crop coming through,” said Gallacher, two-time winner of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, who is looking to regain his full playing privileges on the DP World Tour after losing his card last season.

“It can give them a bit of hope and the impetuous to work as hard as they can to try and get out on the circuit. This is obviously a stepping stone to get onto the DP World Tour, so hopefully this event can give them that drive to work hard and emulate what we are doing.”

The Abu Dhabi Challenge is the seventh tournament on this year’s global 2023 Road to Mallorca schedule, which features a record overall prize fund and a minimum of 29 tournaments, staged across three continents in 18 different countries.

Ugo Coussaud currently leads the way in the Rankings after picking up his first Challenge Tour title last month at The Challenge in Bangalore, India.

“It feels good to be here, the weather is great and the course is in good condition with a perfect layout,” said the Frenchman.

“The game feels good right now, let’s see what happens over the next two weeks.”

The return of the Challenge Tour to the UAE for the first time since 2018 is part of the long-term partnership between the European Tour group and Emirates Golf Federation, where 30 spots have been allocated to the EGF to provide a pathway for both Emirati golfers and residents of the UAE.

Leading the way for the UAE will be Skaik, who has competed in numerous events on the DP World Tour schedule in recent years.

The Emirati comes into the tournament full of confidence after returning from a long-term injury lay-off to successfully defend the Presidents Cup at this week’s host venue in March.

“I’m very excited, the game is looking good.” said Skaik, who begins his first round at 8.05am alongside Coussaud and Casey Jarvis.

“The likes of Ugo are the guys I want to be playing with on a regular basis, so I can learn from them and take my game to the next level. It’s an honour to be paired with him, I’ll be watching him closely while I’m out there the first two rounds and learning as much as I can.”

Joining Skaik in the field will be his brother Mohammad, as well as fellow UAE Nationals Khalfa Al Masaood, Rashid Al Jassmy, Rashed Al Emadi, Rashed Al Naqbi and the UAE’s first ever professional golfer Ahmed Al Musharrekh.

In addition to this, a number of UAE residents will also be competing against the global stars of the future including local golf coach Louis Gaughan, who will be making his Challenge Tour debut.

The Scotsman, who resides in Abu Dhabi, won the Emirates PGA Championship last week to secure his place in the Abu Dhabi Challenge and he is now looking to take full advantage of the opportunity.

“It’s amazing, I’m really looking forward to it,” he said. “It’s the first time I’d have played in such a big event. I’ve got no expectations. I’d normally be at work, teaching golf, so to be out playing is a nice change.”

Entry from tomorrow until Sunday at Abu Dhabi Golf Club is free of charge, with no ticket required.

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That impressive stable of champions is led by Alvaro Quiros with seven DP World Tour wins, including victories at the 2011 Hero Dubai Desert Classic and 2011 DP World Tour Championship, Dubai. David Howell, who also lifted the Dallah Trophy in 1999, is a five-time DP World Tour winner, while Matteo Manassero, the youngest winner in DP World Tour history, has four victories to his name alongside Gallacher.

Also teeing it up in the capital will be Brandon Stone and Mikael Lundberg, who have three DP World Tour titles apiece.

“I was having a look at the entry list the other day and I was surprised by how good the standard was this week,” said Gallacher, who will captain the European Junior Ryder Cup Team in Rome later this year. “It’s getting tougher these days, we’re all getting a bit older and young guys are coming through so it’s a really good field.”

After 26 successive seasons and more than 600 appearances on the DP World Tour, Gallacher lost his full playing privileges last season after failing to finish inside the top 117 of the Race to Dubai Rankings. During that impressive stint, the Scotsman enjoyed plenty of success in the UAE, becoming the first, and only, man to win the Hero Dubai Desert Classic back-to-back in 2013-2014, while also featuring regularly at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, a Rolex Series event.

Since the inaugural tournament in 2006, Gallacher has played the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on 16 occasions with 15 of those starts coming at this week’s host venue.  “It’s a totally different atmosphere here this week compared to what I’m used to on the DP World Tour,” said Gallacher, who finished in a share of eighth at the 2015 edition. “I’m quite pleased the event is here as I did a bit of TV work for the first time at the start of the year at the Hero Cup. I walked the course and was able to see how different it was without stands — it’s totally different on the eye.

“It’s going to be a great event on a fantastic golf course, one I’ve really enjoyed playing over the years. It’s one of those places where the wind gets up and can be a little tricky, but I think that suits the way I play the game which is nice.”

The Abu Dhabi Challenge will precede the UAE Challenge (May 4-7) which is being held at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club. The two events are part of the European Tour group’s long-term partnership with the EGF, which aims to develop golf in the UAE for at least the next decade.

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