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Challenge Tour stars chase European Tour cards via Road to Oman

Sunday 30 October 2016 15:36, UK

MUSCAT, OMAN - NOVEMBER 07: Sebastian Gros of France tees off on the 17th hole during the final round of the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final at the Almouj Go
Image: Sebastian Gros is one of the players chasing their European Tour card

The Challenge Tour season reaches its climax at this week’s NBO Golf Classic Grand Final, where a number of players are chasing promotion on to the European Tour.

Only the 45 best-ranked players in the season-long Road to Oman rankings are eligible to feature in the final event, with the top-15 players in the standings after this week's tournament making the step up to the higher level.

We take a look at how last year's alumni have fared on a strong tour and see who is in contention to make the step up this time around…

The class of 2015

MUSCAT, OMAN - NOVEMBER 07: Spectators look on from the 18th greenside hospitality during the final round of the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final at the Almou
Image: Spectators look on from the 18th greenside hospitality during the final round of the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final at the Almou

Five of last year's 15 graduates from the 2015 Road to Oman standings have finished in the Race to Dubai's top 110 this campaign and retained their European Tour status for 2017.

Brandon Stone is the only graduate from the Challenge Tour's money list to reach the winner's circle at the higher level this season, claiming a two-shot triumph on home soil in the SA Open. 

European Challenge Tour Golf

Victory in Johannesburg was one of six top-10s in his rookie season, with Stone also finishing runner-up at the Shenzhen International and finishing inside the top-five as part of a strong field at the Open de France.

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Last year's NBO Golf Classic Grand Final champion Ricardo Gouveia enjoyed a successful maiden season on the European Tour, with a tied-seventh showing in Qatar earlier in the year helping him retain his card for 2017.

MUSCAT, OMAN - NOVEMBER 07: Ricardo Gouveia of Portugal is awarded the Road to Oman Ranking trophy by Chief Guest His Highness Sayyid Shihab Bin Tariq Al
Image: Gouveia won last year's Challenge Tour Order of Merit

2015 Race to Oman runner-up Sebastien Gros' fourth spot at the Alfred Dunhill Championship was the highlight of an impressive rookie campaign, while Nacho Elvira posted five top-10s during his second stint on the European Tour.

Callum Shinkwin completes the set and qualified for a maiden Open appearance earlier this season thanks to a tied-ninth finish in France, before ending in a share of eighth at the Scottish Open a week later.

European Challenge Tour Golf

Chasing graduation

Jordan Smith tops the standings, while Germany's Alexander Knappe is on the brink of the world's top 100 having registered two wins and 10 worldwide top-10s during an impressive campaign.

Former amateur champion Roman Langasque and Australian PGA Championship runner-up Dylan Frittelli are both well-placed to secure European Tour cards, with both currently sitting in the Road to Oman top-10.

SPIJK, NETHERLANDS - SEPTEMBER 08: Romain Langasque of France hits his tee shot on the 9th during the first round on day one of the KLM Open at The Dutch
Image: Langasque has posted three runner-up finishes in 2016

Open Championship qualifiers James Heath and Clement Sordin both hover just outside of the top-15 as things stand, with 2013 Walker Cup winner Max Orrin also looking to step up in to a graduation spot.

Who will claim Road to Oman victory? Follow the conclusion to the Challenge Tour season on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf

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