Complete Top 50 European Challenge Entry Fires Up Foshan Open
2019-10-17 18:08:29
The Foshan Open has received a major boost with the news that all top 50 ranked players on the European Challenge Tour will be competing. The event, which offers the highest prize money on the Tour and comes virtually at the end of the season, traditionally attracts a very strong international field. But this year, with an expected 100% top 50 attendance, has further underlined Foshan Open's major importance as a pivotal event in determining who will make it through to next season's mouth-wateringly lucrative European Tour.
“It's fantastic news and we're all fired up and raring to go," said a delighted Julian Small, General Manager of host venue Foshan Golf Club. "This year we'll be welcoming players from at least 20 countries and regions worldwide who will come and compete with China's rising young golf stars so it will be a truly wonderful international gathering with some world class action on display.”
Heading the international challenge will be 24-year-old Calum Hill from Scotland and 26-year-old Antoine Rozner from France. Hill has hit top form in the last few months with two victories on the Challenge Tour and high finishes in the prestigious Scottish Open and Alfred Dunhill Links Championships. Rozner was the player to beat at the start of the season when he won back-to-back events on the Challenge Tour. While there have been no further victories yet, his consistent form has attracted widespread admiration with the expectation that he will emerge as one of France's leading players.
Two exciting young players to watch will be 19-year-old Danish sensation, Rasmus Hojgaard and 23-year-old Matthew Jordan from England.
Hojgaard shot to fame when, along with twin brother Nicolai, they helped Denmark to a dramatic one-shot win over USA in last year's World Amateur Team Championship. He turned pro in January this year and started on the European Challenge Tour in May and has, in just four months, climbed into the top 25 on the rankings.
Matthew Jordan rose to 4th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings before turning pro in September last year. After joining this year's European Challenge Tour, he quickly hit his stride by winning the Italian Challenge Open and has shot up to number six in the Tour's rankings. He was also the leader at the halfway point in the prestigious Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on the full European Tour.
Alain de Soultrait, Challenge Tour Director, said: “Since our first visit to Foshan Golf Club in 2013, this tournament has truly established itself as an integral part of our schedule. “In the six previous editions, we have crowned some incredible champions, none more so than last year's winner Victor Perez, who has gone on to make history as the first Frenchman to win the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship following his victory in Scotland last month.
“Victor's triumph last year occurred in the most dramatic circumstances, as he matched Robert MacIntyre's incredible eagle putt with a birdie effort of his own to force a play-off, from which he emerged victorious. If we witness a similar level of drama this year, we are in for a real treat.”
“There are several factors which make this tournament a success, including the hard work of Foshan Golf Club's staff and members, and we are honoured to be able to play a part in Connecting the Greater Bay, with this event assisting to connect the South China and improve economic growth.”
The importance of the Foshan Open is also underlined by the fact that those due to compete in it this year come from countries all over the world.
“It's exciting to see the true global nature of the event,” said Small. “In fact we've now progressed to the stage where players from all five continents of the world are coming. With nationalities from all around the world on show, the Foshan Open should be a really fascinating and exciting few days for everybody who comes to watch.”said Julian Small.
