Staff WriterEuan Walker couldn’t have scripted a better start to his week at the Rolex Grand Final, the climactic stop on the 2025 Road to Mallorca. The Scotsman carded a flawless seven-under-par 65 at Club de Golf Alcanada, putting himself in pole position to finally grab the DP World Tour card that’s eluded him for three agonising seasons.
The Rolex Grand Final, supported by The R&A, is more than just a tournament—it’s the last dance of the HotelPlanner Tour season, where 45 players fight for one of 20 golden tickets to golf’s top stage.
Walker now leads the charge by one over Italy’s Stefano Mazzoli and France’s Félix Mory, both sitting at six-under after a strong opening day in Alcúdia.
Walker in Command from the Start
Walker’s round had the kind of rhythm pros dream about and amateurs never quite find. Birdies at the first and third holes got him rolling, before further gains at the fifth and eighth saw him make the turn at four under.
He then caught fire again with an eagle on the par-five 13th and another birdie at 15, capping it off with a gritty sandy save on 18 to keep the card spotless.
“It was quite fun actually,” said Walker, grinning as if he’d just rediscovered the game’s secret code. “I was in position the whole time so I didn’t have much scrambling to do for par, so that makes your round so much more relaxing and so much more enjoyable.
It was very satisfying (to go bogey-free). After I played so well all day, it would’ve been incredibly disappointing to make bogey at the last even though it still would’ve been a great round.”
For a man who’s finished 25th, 26th, and 24th in the season standings over the last three years, you can understand the hunger. A win here would rocket him to sixth in the final Rankings—and finally over the line.
“I’ve just got to try my best to keep doing what I’m doing,” Walker added. “Form in golf is very fleeting. It can come and go from one day to the next, and I think everybody knows that. Today it worked out in my favour. I’ll try and do that again.”
The Chase Behind the Scot
Hot on his heels, Mazzoli and Mory are hardly fading into the Spanish sunset. Mory, who has been one of the most consistent players all season, relied on sharp putting and patience to stay in touch.
“I was pretty happy with my putting today,” said Mory. “I gave myself a lot of chances inside three to seven metres and made a few of them, so on this course it helps. It’s not easy to hit it close, especially on the front nine.
I gave myself a lot of chances and stayed patient the whole day, so very happy. It’s four rounds, this is a long week and it’s just the beginning.”
He also knows what’s at stake. “I think I’m becoming a better player every season. I know the course, but that doesn’t mean much. Golf is golf, you know how it is… but in sports you always want more.”
Mazzoli, meanwhile, played the picture of Italian calm. “I’m feeling good. Just one round down, three to go, and it was good just to get off to a good start and hopefully I can keep going,” he said. “Obviously there’s pressure, but there’s pressure for everybody and it’s about who handles it better.”
Steinlechner Stays Steady at the Summit
Another man in control of his own destiny is Austrian Maximilian Steinlechner, who shares fourth on five under alongside Swede Per Längfors. Steinlechner currently sits second on the Road to Mallorca Rankings and could finish the year as No.1 with another big performance.
“It was good. It was a nice little stretch in the round and it was enjoyable, good weather and good guys that I’m playing with,” said Steinlechner. “Three more rounds to go… it’s nice being second in the Rankings coming into the event, so you can maybe enjoy it a touch more than some of the other guys.”
Rounding out the early contenders at four under are South African duo JC Ritchie and Jovan Rebula, Spain’s Sebastian Garcia and Victor Pastor, Scotland’s Daniel Young, Dutchman Lars van Meijel, and France’s Julien Sale.
A Battle Worth Watching
If Thursday was any indication, the Rolex Grand Final is shaping into a drama of small margins and big dreams. The wind at Alcanada can turn even the best intentions into nightmares, but Walker’s calm start suggests this might finally be his year.
He’s played his way into contention before—but never quite like this. And if golf gods are paying attention, perhaps they’ll decide it’s time the Scotsman got his reward.
