European Tour bound Cormac Sharvin can take on a new goal this week in China – that of becoming the number one golfer on the Challenge Tour this season.
Now ranked fifth on the Road to Mallorca standings following yet another top-5 finish, this time at the Stone Irish Challenge at Headfort, the 27-year old’s goal of finishing the season within the top-15 on the Order of Merit, thus securing his Main Tour card for next year is secured.
Now he forms part of a limited field for the Tour’s lucrative two-event Asia swing which begins with the Hainan Open at Sanya Luhuitou Golf Club in Donghai Bay from October 17-20.
With increased prize pots available for the 53-player fields at Hainan and Foshan before the Tour Championship at Alcanada in November, Sharvin can refocus his aims to trying to rein in Road to Mallorca leader, Calum Hill from Scotland who he trails by a little over 13,000 points.
It’s been a coming-of-age year for the Ardglass professional with his eight top-10 finishes this term supplemented by a bumper week at the Irish Open at Lahinch where he collected €85,000 for a top-15 result.
Sharvin’s gained the consistency that all Tour players strive to achieve and he credits a crucial investment at the beginning of the season for yielding such rewards.
“I’ve been a pro now three years and I’ve made kind of steady progression but I’ve made a leap this year,” said Sharvin.
“I think it’s just testament to the work that I’ve done with my team. I’ve added a few members to the team. My Strength and Conditioning coach Alan, he’s really helped me – I’ve gained a bit of distance with him.
“My performance coach Ed [Coughlan] has been unbelievable. He’s just given me a totally different outlook on the game and I’ve relished the pressure he’s put me under. I’ve been accountable for everything I’ve done this year and I think it’s brought out the best in me.”
Sharvin will be Ireland’s sole representative in China. He gets his tournament underway at 05.20am (Irish time) on Thursday.
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