Francesco Laporta returned to the winner’s circle for a third time on the European Challenge Tour with a hard-fought victory at the Big Green Egg German Challenge powered by VcG.
The Italian, who won the Hainan Open and the Challenge Tour Grand Final in 2019, battled through testing conditions at Wittelsbacher Golfclub to secure a one-stroke victory.
His level par final round of 72 saw him sign for a seven under par total, one clear of English duo Gary Boyd and Ashley Chesters, German Dominic Foos and Jiří Zuska from the Czech Republic.
The 32-year-old becomes the fifth Italian winner on the Road to Mallorca this season, climbing to 19th in the Rankings and taking a step closer to achieving the goal he set himself at the beginning of the year.
“I didn’t expect to win this week after the last couple of events but we did it,” he said. “It’s been four years without a win, and I was struggling the last couple of years.
“Even at the beginning of this year I wasn’t playing my best golf, but the last few weeks I’ve changed a couple of things with my swing and it’s worked out.
“I want to get back to the DP World Tour as soon as possible. That’s what me and my coach have discussed and this result is definitely going to help me. My main goal is to make sure I get back there.
“I’ve been working really hard every day and winning is one of those things you’re always aiming for.”
Laporta started the day one shot off the lead and, after turning in level par, found himself tied at the top alongside overnight leader Boyd.
Chesters then joined Laporta and Boyd on seven under par with three holes to play, but it was the Italian who came out on top, parring his last three holes to secure the win, and he was delighted with how his game held up in challenging conditions all week.
“I was playing well today, and I just tried to play my game and play my best,” he added. “My tee shots and my putting were both pretty good this week.
“I was looking at the stats yesterday and I gained seven shots in the first three rounds on the greens. That’s what you have to do on this course. It’s very tight and sometimes you can hit good shots and not have a path to the green. I tried not to force it too much, and my short game was amazing.”
Roope Kakko from Finland recorded his best result of the season to finish solo sixth on five under par, with Scotsman Daniel Young one shot further back on four under par.
Three players shared eighth on three under par including Frenchman Frederic Lacroix, Finn Lauri Ruuska and South African Brandon Stone.
The top five in the Road to Mallorca Rankings remain the same, with Casey Jarvis holding on to his place as Number One. Stone moves up two places to seventh, with Chesters climbing 13 spots to 11th thanks to his second-place finish.
The Road to Mallorca heads to Ireland next for the Irish Challenge at Headfort Golf Club taking place from July 27-30.
