Richard Mansell hungry for another taste of Euro Tour action

The 25-year-old, who grew up in Burntwood, secured the runner-up spot and the biggest payday of his career so far in the Euram Bank Open in Austria just over a fortnight ago.

He had earlier driven across Europe having received an invite to the Austrian Open a week earlier, but missed the cut in his debut European Tour event.

However, he came within a whisker of his first European Tour victory a week later in the Euram Bank Open, ending the tournament on 12 under par, two shots behind winner Joel Stalter, from France.

That brought Mansell, a member at Beau Desert Golf Club, near Cannock, a cheque for around £44,000 – but more importantly saw him make a huge leap in the world rankings from 454th to 275th.

The European Challenge Tour player is now hopeful that could open doors to more invitations to top level European Tour events soon.

Mansell was thrilled with the standard of golf he played in Austria, stating: “It reminded me why I do what I do; why I play the game. I came really close to earning my winning my first European Tour tournament and getting my European Tour card.

“I knew I had been playing really well and to put together rounds of 67, 66, 64 and 71 on a European Tour event was really important for me. It was no fluke – I knew I was in good form going into the tournament.”

It could have been even better for Mansell but for a momentary lapse in concentration which cost him a shot when he was in touching distance of tying the lead in the final round.

“I was in the final group going out on the last day and in with a shot,” he recalled. “It was really good for me, it is a test of how you can control your emotions, something I will learn from.

“I was on the 15th and had a one-foot putt to tie the lead with three holes to play – but I just missed the putt.

“In hindsight, I should have marked it and walked away and then putted but it was one of those which I thought I wouldn’t miss – but I did.

“Who knows what would have happened on those last three holes had it gone in. It’ something that happens to every golfer but I’m glad it happened there rather than in a Major sometime!

“It showed me that in this game, and at that level, you have to be on your A-game all the time. It was a slight lapse in concentration but it’s something I will learn from.”

Mansell is now back playing on the Clutch Pro and 20-20 tours at the moment while he awaits the return of the Challenge Tour but is hopeful he may get more invites to top tier European Tour events after his breakthrough performance.

“That would be great,” he added. “It all depends on the invitations, I’m hopeful of playing at The Belfry at the end of the month (in the ISPS Handa UK Championship) but we’ll have to wait and see. After that it’s back to the Challenge Tour in September in Northern Ireland.”