Angel Ayora has taken a commanding two-shot lead into the weekend of the Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final supported by The R&A after an impressive bogey-free round of 65 at Club de Golf Alcanada. The Spaniard, who set a course record with a 62 in the first round, carded seven birdies to move to 17 under par, putting him ahead of Norway’s Kristoffer Reitan by two strokes.
Ayora started strong with a birdie on the par five first hole and continued his momentum with gains at the fourth and seventh, making the turn at three under par. He then added four more birdies at holes ten, 11, 13, and 15 to build a substantial lead before play was suspended due to lightning in the area. When play resumed, Ayora remained steady and parred his way in to maintain his position at the top of the leaderboard.
Currently sixth on the Road to Mallorca Rankings, Ayora is projected to move into the number one spot with a potential Challenge Tour Rankings win, following in the footsteps of past Spanish champions Carl Suneson and Alvaro Velasco. Speaking about his performance, Ayora expressed his happiness with his consistent play and emphasized the importance of strong ball striking to avoid mistakes on the course.
Heading into the final rounds, Ayora is focused on staying calm and patient, acknowledging the competition from players like Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, who is currently in third place at 12 under par. The Danish player entered the season finale in second position on the Rankings, providing motivation for Ayora to continue performing well. Finland’s Oliver Lindell sits two shots behind Neergaard-Petersen in fourth place, setting the stage for a tight finish at the Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final.
As the tournament progresses, other contenders in the top positions include Frenchman Martin Couvra and Denmark’s Nicolai Kristensen tied for fifth at nine under par, as well as a group of players at seven under par, including Australians, Swedes, and more. The third round is set to begin with Ayora teeing off alongside Reitan in the final group, aiming to maintain his lead and secure a victory in the final event of the Challenge Tour season.
With a strong start and impressive performance so far, Ayora is in a prime position to claim the number one spot on the Rankings and potentially become the third Spaniard to win the Challenge Tour Rankings. The young golfer’s focus on consistency and staying relaxed on the course will be key as he navigates the pressure of the weekend rounds and the pursuit of his ultimate goal. Stay tuned as the Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final unfolds, showcasing top talent and fierce competition in the world of professional golf.
