Dermot McElroy is targeting a top-20 finish in the Road to Mallorca Rankings knowing that if he can notch a maiden Challenge Tour win he can set himself on his way towards the DP World Tour.
McElroy earned a full Challenge Tour card last season for this year and is in contention heading into the weekend at the Abu Dhabi Challenge at just for shots off the pace.
The Ballymena man has had a slow start to the campaign, making just one cut in four starts but he hopes he can push his way into the top-20 in the Order of Merit and secure a DP World Tour card next term.
The 30-year-old has won twice on the now defunct Europro Tour and was beaten in a playoff last year at the Challenge de Espana after shooting a final round 62 and he is aiming to go one better this year.
“I want to finish in the top-20, that’s obviously the main goal but I want to win an event where the last couple of seasons where I have played mini tour golf I have won tournaments,” said McElroy.
“Last year I was beaten in a playoff which was disappointing but I gave myself a chance to win which was good. Short term goal is to win this year and long term is to finish in the top-20.”
McElroy is making his first start in six weeks but remarkably it turned into more of a break than a practice period. Poor weather in Ireland meant he only got to play four times in the six weeks he was at home but the rest looks to have done him good as he carded rounds of 66 and 65 to get into the mix at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club.
“My game is in good shape, driving it well, iron play is pretty good. Driving it on the fairway is key and the greens are quite firm so you need to control your spin.
“It’s great to be here I took six weeks off and only played four times at home because the weather was so bad so it’s great to be out here and playing some good courses.”
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