Jonathan Caldwell admits all he is doing now is preparation for DP World Tour Q-School after he earned his best result of the season at the Mallorca Golf Open.
The Clandeboye man concluded his time in Spain with a two-under 69 at Son Muntaner Golf Club in Palma, four birdies – all of which came in the first six holes – and two bogeys rounding off a positive week.
That saw Caldwell finish the tournament at eight-under-par and in a share of 23rd, his best result on the DP World Tour this season, which is a frustrating reflection on a tough campaign on Europe’s top flight.
And the 38-year-old is now setting his sights on reclaiming his card for next season, with this the latest encouraging result as he tries to build some momentum going into Q-School.
“It was a better week for me so I’ve got to take the positives,” said Caldwell.
“We’ll go to next week and see how we get on. Realistically, we’re preparing for Q-School. Things seem to be trending in the right direction so hopefully we can continue that next week.
“(This season) has been massively disappointing. I’ve made some good changes in the last six weeks and things are starting to turn, so hopefully I can get a spot through Q-School.
“I’d like to be playing better this season but it is what it is. Just to keep at it and trying to improve and hopefully we can get back out here and travel around a bit more.”
Although he can’t break into the top-120 in the Race to Dubai, there is still a chance the former Scandinavian Mixed champion can earn his playing rights for next season with a win at the final regular season event, the Portugal Masters, next week.
It’s somewhere that Caldwell has played well at in the past, but he’s putting no additional pressure on himself to get the job done in Vilamoura, instead just trying to keep the ball rolling heading into Q-School
“I’ve played well (at the event in the past but haven’t had excellent results, but I feel comfortable on the golf course,” added the Co Down man.
“It’s really on the week. If I can get the putter going then maybe I can contend. It’s not a place I’m dreading to go to. It’ll be a nice week.
“It’ll just be the same attitude as any other week, take it from there and see what I can get. Try my best and see where it takes us.”
Meanwhile, Germany’s Yannik Paul was the beneficiary of a late collapse by England’s Marcus Armitage to claim his maiden DP World Tour title in Mallorca, triumphing by a shot.
Armitage had looked in line to secure his second Tour title after battling back from three bogeys in his five holes to hold a two-shot lead with three to play following five birdies in eight holes.
However, the 35-year-old endured a horror finish, going bogey-double-bogey in his last three holes to drop back to sixth at 12-under after a two-over 73.
Instead, a birdie on the 18th proved vital for Paul as he came out on top despite closing with a one-over 72, three birdies and four bogeys putting him a single stroke ahead of the chasing pack at 15-under-par.
England’s Paul Waring had set the target at 14-under-par after a superb 66, where he was joined by Nicolai von Dellingshausen after the German shot a 69, but Paul beat them by one with that crucial closing birdie at the par-four 18th.
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