England’s Nathan Kimsey has been crowned both the winner of the Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final supported by The R&A, and the Road to Mallorca Rankings champion.
The 29 year-old started the day as joint leader at seven under par. A slow start and bogey on the fourth hole was not the ideal start but he managed to make amends by picking up two birdies on his front nine.
Eagle on the 13th for the man from Hertfordshire got his nose back in with the leaders which was starting to bunch up. A bogey on his 16th dropped him back to 9 under par, which he would finish on for the title after a real battle at Club de Golf Alcanada.
“I’m knackered. Winning golf tournaments isn’t easy, didn’t have my bests stuff most of the day but managed to hit some good shots and hole some putts at the right time.’
Victory took Kimsey to the top of the Road to Mallorca Rankings, the first Englishman to do both since Jordan Smith in 2016.
“It’s mad, sounds great. At the start of the year we obviously have it as a goal but top 20 to get your card is is the main thing, but to come here and win the tournament and become number one is awesome.”
The real drama all day was happening with the players constantly toing and froing with people moving in and out of the projected final rankings. The three men who finished the day inside the top 20 are John Parry, 34th to 17th after a four under 68. Bryce Easton moving from 38th to 18th after a nervy one under par 71, and Matthew Baldwin 22nd to 19th also after a one under par 71 with thoughts of his last stepfather battling in his mind.
“Tired, very emotional, it’s been a long year. My stepdad died in May, so to perform the way I have done since then I should be proud of myself.
“You are out there five hours a day stuck with your own thoughts, sometimes it’s hard to remain positive all the time and it’s incredible to be going back to the DP World Tour now.”
South African Bryce Easton, after being pro for 12 years has finally gained his full playing rights on the DP World Tour.
“I just don’t think people understand how this game and the highs and the lows. The lows are low. And you are pretty much on your own and you have you family and close friends who try help you through but tat the same time now so grateful for getting it done and relieved.”
Next step for these Challenge Tour graduates will be South Africa or Australia which ever they may choose in a couple of weeks’ time as they get their DP World Tour campaign away.
Below are the final 2022 Road to Mallorca Rankings:
1st Nathan Kimsey
2nd Jeremy Freiburghaus
3rd Alexander Knappe
4th JC Ritchie
5th Mikael Lindberg
6th Jens Dantorp
7th Daniel Hillier
8th Oliver Hundebøll
9th Freddy Schott
10th Tom McKibbin
11th Robin Sciot-Siegrist
12th Kristian Krogh Johannessen
13th Clément Sordet
14th Martin Simonsen
15th Jeong weon Ko
16th Todd Clements
17th John Parry
18th Bryce Easton
19th Matthew Baldwin
20th Deon Germishuys
