Ricardo Gouveia finished second on the 2021 Road to Mallorca Rankings to secure his DP World Tour playing rights following an emphatic return to form.
The Portuguese enjoyed a sensational European Challenge Tour season which he kick-started with a third placed finish at the Dormy Open in Sweden and a tie for sixth at the Challenge de Cádiz, before recording back-to-back victories.
The 30-year-old’s first win of the season arrived at the Italian Challenge where he carded a final round of 64 to finish two-shots ahead of overnight co-leader Lukas Nemecz, before securing a second triumph in as many tournaments at the Made in Esbjerg Challenge. Gouveia posted rounds of 69-71-69-67 to finish on eight under par and secure a three-stroke victory in Denmark.
Now a five-time Challenge Tour winner, Gouveia continued to impress throughout the season, recording four further top tens and arrived at the Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final supported by The R&A in second position on the Rankings with a shot at history. The Portuguese had a chance to become the first man to win the Road to Mallorca Rankings on two separate occasions after he was crowned Challenge Tour Number One in 2015 with victory at the Grand Final in Oman.
Gouveia put in a strong performance at this year’s season finale, finishing in a tie for second place and one-shot behind Marcus Helligkilde - who secured the Rolex Grand Final and Rankings double.
The 30-year-old, now sitting in the top 150 on the Official World Golf Ranking, will be looking to improve on his first DP World Tour start where he finished in a tie for 57th at the Joburg Open as the tournament was curtailed after 36 holes.
