This week marks the start of the academic year with its famous back-to-school period, and yet, in the world of golf, grades are already being given. They are not final yet, but it is becoming clear who is aiming for top marks, who can push to improve their score, or who needs to step on the gas to get through the year and avoid repeating. There is always someone who, at the last minute and seemingly effortlessly, achieves their goals brilliantly.
The start of the Rosa Challenge is a great example of this scenario. There are only three tournaments left in the regular calendar of the HotelPlanner Tour before the cut of 75 players for the two-event tour in China and just five before the Grand Final of the Road to Mallorca. Ángel Ayora, for example, twelve months ago made the decisive move with his victory in this very event, giving his season the boost it needed to graduate with honours.
The one showing he wants to turn things around this season is Sebas García (-5). The Madrid native has delivered his best start in the last five months, and with a round of six under par, he has taken the lead at Rosa Golf Club.
The issue is that Sebas is currently outside the top 45 who will compete in Alcudia for one of the twenty DP World Tour cards, specifically in 48th place. His goal is to be one of those twenty, but first, he needs to secure qualification for the Final. A good result in Poland could be a giant step forward.
This year Sebas already knows what it’s like to fight for victory; in April, he came close, but Renato Paratore closed the door on his first career win. It’s still too early to talk in those terms, but there’s no doubt that a trophy this Sunday would bring him closer to top marks in a season that is still just a pass.
The one in search of distinction is Rocco Repetto Taylor (-5). For him, it’s already an outstanding season. He started the year with the Alps Tour and, after winning on that circuit, has also established himself in the second division of the European circuit. However, the Andalusian wants distinction and to secure one of the twenty DP World Tour cards. He is currently 17th and has started among the top five in Poland thanks to a round of 65 strokes. A good haul in Polish lands could be the final push, even though the last subjects are still pending. He gave a masterclass with the wedges this Thursday, barely putting from more than two metres on the six birdies he made this Thursday.
Borja Virto and Javi Sainz (-4) are struggling more than expected in the midterms. With rounds of four under par, they have placed themselves in the top ten of this Polish start to tell the rest of the students that they haven’t said their last word yet. Borja Virto played excellent golf this Thursday, and if it weren’t for a triple bogey on the 11th hole, he would be the sole leader of the tournament.
Javi Sainz is beyond the 160th position in the Order of Merit, and his best result of the year is a 15th place two months ago. He desperately needs four rounds at this level. Not even a second place would get him into the Mallorca Final, but if he wants to at least fight for the Challenge card, he knows this week could be one of his last chances as he is not guaranteed a spot in the next two tournaments.
Among the other Spaniards, Quim Vidal (-3) and Adri Arnaus (-2) stand out, having secured a place among the top twenty and thirty at the start, respectively. Luis Masaveu (PAR), Joseba Torres (+2), Lucas Vacarisas (+2), Víctor Pastor (+3) and David Borda (+4) will need a boost this Friday if they want to play over the weekend. It is practically impossible for Alejandro Aguilera (+8), who will at least seek to regain better sensations.
