European Tour pair are ready for a showdown

The showdown will break new ground with a first-of-its-kind format on the European Tour as the 16 leading players and ties after two cuts go head-to-head in a final round shootout.

The second of two consecutive events on the island, following on from last week’s Cyprus Open, won by Callum Shinkwin, the Cyprus Showdown will feature a 105-man field for the first two rounds of strokeplay as normal, with the top 32 players and ties progressing to Saturday’s shootout with their scores reset.

A thrilling Sunday showdown is in prospect with the top 16 players and ties in Saturday’s shootout progressing through to the final day.

Once again, their scores will be reset with the remaining players battling it out in a further 18-hole shootout for the €200,000 first prize.

Both Connor, from Drumoig, and Calum, of Kinross, started their respective campaigns on Thursday morning.

Calum impressed at last week’s Open, finishing in a tie for 41st place.

The Kinross pro played some decent stuff across his four rounds, carding 69, 69, 70, 68. Connor wasn’t at his best and was some way off the cut mark.

An opening 76 caused the damage that a second day 69 couldn’t quite repair and he ended in a tie for 100th place.

Following this week’s tournament, the European Tour goes on a break for a week while The Masters is played. It resumes with a South African swing and the Joburg Open, Alfred Dunhill Championship and South African Open.