Hydro Challenge setback as Estoril Open shifts dates

THE Scottish Hydro Challenge at Spey Valley has suffered a blow after the European Tour moved the Estoril Open de Portugal, originally due to be played from 1-4 April, to the same week of the Aviemore event on 10-13 June.

That week had previously been occupied by the Austrian Open before it was moved, raising hopes that some of Scotland's leading European Tour players might be attracted to play in the Challenge Tour event, which last year was won by Dalmahoy’s Jamie McLeary.

David Drysdale, who might have headed north, will definitely be going to Portugal and Iain Stoddart of Bounce Management, a commercial partner and co-promoter of the event with the European Tour, admitted: “It’s going to be more of a struggle to get headline players now.”

The decision to move the Estoril event, which carries a far bigger prize fund than the Austrian Open, could also be bad news for players when it comes to the first re-ranking of the season.