Former University of Denver golfer Espen Kofstad doubled his fun on Sunday, winning for the third time on the European Challenge Tour and earning a spot in the Rio Olympics for his native Norway.
Kofstad (pictured), who has been bothered by various injuries in recent years, last had won on the Challenge Tour at the end of 2012.
On Sunday at the D+D Real Slovakia Challenge, Kofstad made birdie from 10 feet on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff to beat Romain Langasque of France. Kofstad closed with an 8-under-par 64 to finish at 17-under 271.
The 27,200 euro payday moved Kofstad up to fourth on the 2016 Challenge Tour money list with 63,392 euros. He’s posted four top-five finishes this season. The former Pioneer, now 28, was the top money maker on the 2012 Challenge Tour.
“It’s been a long way to come here,” he said. “Looking at where I was in November, with shooting pains all down my legs, I didn’t know what was going on, so to do this is amazing.
“I’ve been going for (a berth in the Olympics) all year, and getting closer and closer to getting in, but it’s all about playing well and winning golf tournaments.
“(The victory) means so much. I didn’t know what I was going to do a couple of years back when it first started and I couldn’t get off the floor. I’ve worked really hard, stayed patient and had really good people around me, so it’s great to be here now.”
Elsewhere on world tours on Sunday, Michael Schoolcraft of Denver tied for fourth on the PGA Tour Canada’s Players Cup in Winnipeg, Manitoba. That career-best showing gives him two top-10s and three top-20s this season on the circuit.
Schoolcraft carded scores of 67-66-68-67 for a 16-under-par 268 total. Dan McCarthy ran away with the title at 25-under-par 259.
