Stuart Grehan closed out the Kaskáda Golf Challenge in Brno, Czech Republic with a final-round level-par 71 to end the week tied for 36th while Lorenzo Scalise becomes the third Italian in four weeks to taste victory.
Two strong rounds had seen the Tullamore man primed for the top-10 finish he needed to earn a place in next weeks Open de Bretagne, but a difficult finish to Saturday’s third round proved costly and despite two early birdies, he couldn’t maintain the momentum and would end the day with three birdies and three bogeys in his round of 71.
Despite being the only one of the five Irish to make the cut in Brno and with , Grehan’s opportunities will continue to be limited due to his category 17 Challenge Tour status, but he’ll be hoping that he gets an invitation to the Irish Challenge at Headfort next month.
Scalise, who led by two overnight, looked in complete control as he carded a one under par round of 70 to reach 12 under par for the week and ease to a three shot win ahead of Manuel Elvira from Spain in second place.
The 27-year-old, who finished in tied second on the same course two years ago, went one better following rounds of 64-68-70-70, and he was delighted to secure a first win having come close on several occasions.
“It feels amazing to be honest,” he said. “I’ve come close many times. I’ve had two seconds and two thirds so far in my career, so it just feels good to finally have that Challenge Tour win.
“I think this course suits my eye. I like the way it plays. In three events here I think I’m close to 40 under par and it’s a tough course.
“The hard work doesn’t stop. If anything it gives me an incentive to work even harder because it shows that I am on the right path. This win gives me more energy to put in the work.”
Scalise continues a period of Italian dominance on the Road to Mallorca, joining countrymen Matteo Manassero and Andrea Pavan in the winner’s circle, making it three wins from four events for players from the nation.
The Italian jumps from 15th to third in the Rankings, and with the top 20 at the end of the season earning promotion to the DP World Tour, he’s glad to have put himself in a strong position for the remainder of 2023 but ensures there is more work to do.
“I was actually having a tough time a couple of weeks ago,” he said. “I felt like my game was off, and Matteo Manassero sent me a very good text saying, ‘rest up but know that people that work like us, they get what they want really soon,’ and he was right.
“The schedule remains the same and the goal remains the same, to be in contention every week. By doing that I should be able to achieve my goals. I’m going to take a day to celebrate for sure, but then it’s back to work.”
German Allen John and Englishman Jack Senior finished in third on eight under par, Australian Connor McKinney, Denmark’s Nicolai Kristensen and England’s Gary Boyd were one shot further back in fifth on seven under par, and German Marc Hammer finished in solo eighth on six under par.
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