Oliver Bekker enjoyed an impressive 2021 Challenge Tour season, finishing seventh on the Road to Mallorca Rankings to secure DP World Tour playing rights for 2022.
The South African took advantage of the large number of Rankings points available during the co-sanctioned events with the Sunshine Tour in his homeland at the start of the Challenge Tour season, finishing in a tie for second at the season-opening Limpopo Championship before a tie for third at the Dimension Data Pro-Am where countrymen Brandon Stone and Wilco Nienaber picked up victories.
Bekker continued to impress throughout the season, finishing in a tie for third at the Euram Bank Open before a second place finish at the British Challenge Presented by Modest! Golf Management at The Belfry Hotel & Golf Resort. The 36-year-old set a new PGA National course record with a stunning ten under par third round of 62 but finished one-stroke behind Chilean Hugo Leon, who birdied the 72nd hole to secure his maiden Challenge Tour title.
The South African arrived at the Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final supported by The R&A in eighth position on the Rankings with his DP World Tour playing rights secured for 2022 but looking to finish as high on the Rankings as possible to maximise his starts. After opening with a five under par round of 66 he set his sights on winning the season finale. The 36-year-old eventually finished in seventh place at the Rolex Grand Final, elevating him to seventh on the Road to Mallorca Rankings.
Bekker began his DP World Tour season on home soil at the Joburg Open last week finishing in a tie for 43rd, however the tournament was reduced to 36 holes due to the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant and weather delays.
