10th July 2025 | Alps Tour Golf
Matteo Cristoni Moves into the Lead Following Round 2 at the Alps de Las Castillas.
Albacete, July 10th 2025- Italy’s Matteo Cristoni leads the field with a two-day total of 12 under-par after Round 2 of the 2025 Alps de Las Castillas. Just one stroke behind, in solo second place, Antonio Hortal from Spain with a score of 11 under-par. Ireland’s Ronan Mullarney is in solo third place at 10 under-par and will keep the pressure on the leaders heading into the final round.
Round 2 of the 2025 Alps de Las Castillas continued today at Club de Golf Las Pinaillas, with warm temperatures and sunny skies providing a picturesque backdrop as players competed to secure a strong position heading into the final round.
Players at this week’s event are competing not only for the tournament title, but also for crucial Order of Merit points, with the top five at the end of the 2025 Alps Tour season earning coveted 2026 HotelPlanner Tour cards, and the top six players, including amateurs, not otherwise exempt after the 2025 Biarritz Cup by C&S Partners securing a Stage 1 exemption for the 2025 DP World Tour Qualifying School, up to a maximum of 10.
Round 2 Player Quotes
Italy’s Matteo Cristoni, 23, who was tied for 15th place after yesterday’s opening round, surged into the lead on day two with a stunning 9-under-par 63, bringing his two-day total to 12-under. Cristoni got off to a blistering start, recording seven birdies on the front nine (holes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9) to go out in 29. On the back nine, he dropped a shot on the 10th hole but quickly bounced back with a birdie on 11. A bogey followed on hole 12, but he ended his round strongly with birdies on 13, 14, and 16. Reflecting on his round, Cristoni said, “It went well, I played really solid from tee to green, leaving myself with a lot of opportunities to make birdies.” He credited his driving accuracy as a key factor on this course, adding, “I think you need to hit the driver well to be able to score here. The strategy is essential to avoid easy mistakes.” Looking ahead to the final round, he shared his approach: “I’m going to stick to my strategy and try to enjoy the round as much as possible.” Cristoni also noted a difference in playing conditions: “I feel like in the morning the ball rolls really well on the greens compared to the afternoon, so I would say that playing in the morning definitely helps.” He concluded by praising the course setup: “It’s a good layout where you can have fun playing it.”
Spain’s Antonio Hortal, 36, who led after the opening round, carded a 4-under-par 68 in today’s second round to move into 2nd place with a two-day total of 11-under-par. He made three birdies on the front nine and added an eagle on the par-5 14th hole, before closing with a bogey on the 18th hole. Reflecting on the day, Hortal said,“It was the same game tee to green, but today the putter didn’t work. I was pretty solid with the driver and the irons.” Despite the late bogey, he remained positive: “It was pretty nice overall, only one bogey on 18, and that came after a flyer from the rough and a bad chip. Someone sent me that bogey to remain focused for tomorrow.” Hortal emphasized the role of course strategy and physical condition in the heat: “I’ve been hitting almost every hole with the driver, which gives me an advantage from the tee. The strategy is working, now I just need to repeat the same and make sure I keep my body temperature under control to perform well.”
Ireland’s Ronan Mullarney, 29, a two-time winner during the 2023 season, which propelled him to win the Order of Merit and secure his promotion to the HotelPlanner Tour (formerly known as the Challenge Tour) for the 2024 season, currently sits in third place after the second round of the tournament. After opening with a 2-under-par 70, Mullarney surged up the leaderboard with a bogey-free 8-under-par 64 in the second round, bringing his two-day total to 10-under. His round included birdies on holes 5, 6, 8, and 9 on the front nine, followed by four more on the back nine on holes 11, 13, 14, and 16. Reflecting on his performance, Mullarney admitted, “Up until today, I didn’t think the course really suited me. I played Q-School here last year, and it didn’t go great, but I played nicely today. The same again tomorrow would be nice.” He was particularly pleased with the clean scorecard, adding, “Overall, a good day of golf today, but what stands out the most to me is the bogey-free bit, which I like.” Known for his calm demeanor, Mullarney said, “There weren’t many highs and lows today, really, which is how I like it, to be honest.” Looking ahead to the final round, he emphasized the importance of recovery: “The main thing I’ll be focusing on is resting up for tomorrow. It’s really hot, so I’m going to get myself ready.” He also credited his early tee time as an advantage, saying, “Playing in the morning definitely helped. The front nine was really nice, and then it got really hot after that, but everyone has to deal with it.” On the course itself, Mullarney added, “It’s in excellent condition. All the courses we’ve played this year have been in great shape, which is always a bonus.”
The highlights of the day came from France’s Robin Roussel and Jersey’s Josef Hacker, who both recorded remarkable Holes-In-One during today’s second round of competition. Roussel aced the 118-meter 3rd hole using a 48° wedge, while Hacker achieved his ace on the 152-meter 7th hole using a 9-iron.
Final Round
A total of 44 players (40 professionals and 4 amateurs) made the cut, which was set at 140 (-4).
The Final Round will begin at 8:00 a.m. local time from the 1st and 10th hole. The Final Pairing will tee off at 9:17 a.m. local time from the 1st hole.
The 2025 Alps de las Castillas winner will walk away with €6,200.00 and 6,525 Order of Merit points.
Tournament Promoter
The 2025 Alps de las Castillas is promoted and organized by JGolf.
The tournament can count on the support of: the Real Federación Española de Golf, Federación Castilla La Mancha, Federacion Castilla y León, Loterías, Club de Golf Las Pinaillas, Albacete Townhall, Albacete Council, Kyocera, Mahou Solan de Cabras, Turismo Costa del Sol, Bodegas Juan Gil, Automahor, Panaderías Alejo, Api Mancha, Arte Nikel, JBK, and Miguelitos Ruiz.
Alps Tour Media Contact- Alice Barbieri: [email protected]
For further information, please visit the official Alps Tour website at www.alpstourgolf.com or download the official Alps Tour Golf mobile application, available on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android). Stay updated by following the Alps Tour on social media via Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and X.
#2025AlpsTourSeason
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7th July 2025 | Alps Tour Golf
The Alps Tour remains in Spain for the 13th edition of the Alps de Las Castillas.
Albacete, July 7th, 2025- The 2025 Alps Tour season continues its strong presence in Spain with the 13th event of the schedule, the 2025 Alps de Las Castillas, set to tee off on Wednesday. From July 9th to 11th, Albacete will host top professional golfers as they compete for the coveted title at the esteemed Club de Golf Las Pinaillas. This tournament promises to showcase exceptional talent against the backdrop of one of Spain’s most challenging and picturesque courses. This is the second time the tournament has visited this specific province, following its previous edition in 2021.
On Tuesday, 8th July, a “Tour Scramble, Par is your Friend” Pro-Am will take place with 36 teams scheduled to compete.
Players at this week’s event are competing not only for the tournament title, but also for valuable points in the season-long Order of Merit standings. The top five players at the conclusion of the 2025 Alps Tour season will earn one of the coveted cards granting access to the 2026 HotelPlanner Tour. In addition, the top six players, including amateurs, from the Alps Tour Order of Merit standings after the 2025 Biarritz Cup by C&S Partners, up to 10, not otherwise exempt, will get an exemption for Stage 1 of the 2025 DP World Tour Qualifying School.
With only a handful of events remaining before the 2025 Alps Tour Grand Final, the race for the top five positions is heating up. As a result, this week’s competition at Club de Golf Las Pinaillas carries even greater significance for those hoping to secure their place among the Tour’s rising stars.
The Field
A strong field is expected this week for the 2025 Alps de Las Castillas.
All of this season’s winners are set to compete this week, except for Spain’s Rocco Repetto Taylor, who won the 2025 La Cigale Golf Open by Alps Tour in March. He went on to win the 2025 Challenge de Cádiz on the HotelPlanner Tour and has since earned playing rights on the higher-level circuit.
This week’s tournament could prove decisive for two-time season winners Andrea Romano of Italy and Spain’s Alvaro Hernandez Cabezuela. Both players have secured two victories so far this season, and a third win would grant them immediate category status on the HotelPlanner Tour for the remainder of the year.
Nine of the top 10 players in the current Order of Merit standings will be competing in this week’s event. Among them are Italy’s Jacopo Vecchi Fossa, the current leader, and Spain’s Alvaro Hernandez Cabezuela, who sits in second place. Fellow Spaniard Javier Barcos is ranked third, followed by Javier Calles Roman in fourth. Italy’s Andrea Romano currently holds fifth place. France’s Quentin Debove is ranked sixth, with Spain’s Asier Aguirre Izcue in seventh place. Ireland’s Ronan Mullarney, the 2023 Order of Merit winner, is ranked eighth, while Italy’s Flavio Michetti rounds out the group in ninth place.
Notable players who have previously won this tournament include Victor Perez, who won in 2016 and has since become a DP World Tour winner.
The 144 players scheduled to compete this week represent 15 different nationalities.
The players in the field will compete for a prize fund of €42,500 and 45,000 Order of Merit points. The 2025 Alps de las Castillas winner will walk away with €6,200.00 and 6,525 Order of Merit points.
The event will be a 54-hole stroke-play tournament, 18 holes a day event where a cut will be made after 36 holes to the top 40 professionals and ties, plus amateurs within the cut. In case of a tie after 54 holes, a sudden-death play-off will determine the winner.
The Course
Club de Golf Las Pinaillas, situated in the heart of Castile-La Mancha, near Albacete, is a distinguished 18-hole championship course designed by Severiano Ballesteros, seamlessly integrated into the Mediterranean landscape. The course presents a strategically challenging and diverse layout that tests the skills of elite golfers across every hole. Its expansive, meticulously maintained greens demand precision and tactical play, while the surrounding natural vegetation offers a tranquil yet competitive setting. Complementing the course are advanced practice facilities, including a driving range and putting greens, designed to support players’ preparation at the highest level.
The modern clubhouse features premium amenities, including a restaurant serving regional cuisine and a fully equipped pro shop, providing a comprehensive experience for competitors and officials alike. Club de Golf Las Pinaillas stands as an exceptional venue, combining sporting excellence with a serene environment ideal for professional tournament play.
Tournament Promoter
The 2025 Alps de las Castillas is promoted and organized by JGolf.
The tournament can count on the support of: the Real Federación Española de Golf, Federación Castilla La Mancha, Federacion Castilla y León, Loterías, Club de Golf Las Pinaillas, Albacete Townhall, Albacete Council, Kyocera, Mahou Solan de Cabras, Turismo Costa del Sol, Bodegas Juan Gil, Automahor, Panaderías Alejo, Api Mancha, Arte Nikel, JBK, and Miguelitos Ruiz.
Alps Tour Media Contact- Alice Barbieri: [email protected]
For further information, please visit the official Alps Tour website at www.alpstourgolf.com or download the official Alps Tour Golf mobile application, available on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android). Stay updated by following the Alps Tour on social media via Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and X.
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9th July 2021 | Alps Tour Golf
Ryan Lumsden wins the Alps de las Castillas
The Scot Ryan Lumsden has prevailed over Manuel Elvira in an exciting final day of the Alps de las Castillas played at the Las Pinaíllas Golf Club, thus achieving his second victory of the season, and is now 3rd in the Alps Tour Ranking.
Lumsden arrived in Albacete with one goal: to win and climb the rankings to get closer to the Challenge Tour promotion. And he has achieved it, although the Cantabrian Manuel Elvira has not made it easy for him at any time. At one point it seemed that the Scot was going to repeat the history of last year’s Alps de las Castillas when he finished second, but the experience achieved last May at the PGA Tour’s AT&T Byron Nelson, where he played alongside the best golfers in the world, gave him the key to the victory he has achieved today in Albacete.
At Las Pinaíllas, Lumsden, 24, signed four birdies and a bogey for a 69 (-3) and a total of 14 under par. “It’s been an amazing tournament, three completely different days of play. The first day I played well but, as it has happened to me this year, it was not matched by the numbers on the scorecard. Yesterday’s round was the turning point I needed, I played well and carded a magnificent result that turned out to be the course record, and gave me hints that something good was going to come, and it has arrived today. It has been an incredible day, because Manuel (Elvira) has made it very difficult for me and has not let me breathe until the last hole.
The truth is that last year I really enjoyed coming to the Alps de las Castillas, I was remarkably close to winning and I have come back this year wanting to fight for the title, although I will recognize that, at some point, as Manuel played, I thought that history was repeating.
At the Northwestern University in the U.S. I won the Byron Nelson Award, an academic, athletic and social work award for which I was invited to play the AT&T Byron Nelson, and I was lucky enough to learn from the best players in the world. There I learned how important it is to have complete control of the irons, and that you should never lose sight of anything on the course. It was a great golf lesson that obviously helped me win this week. My goal now is to win a third tournament! I leave Spain with a lot of confidence, and hopefully keep my place in the ranking at the end of the year to get to the Challenge Tour.” With this victory Lumsden has climbed to 3rd place in the Alps Tour Order of Merit.
Manuel Elvira, 24, started the third round in 3rd position and finished 2nd after making a 69 (-3) with 6 birdies and 3 bogeys, for a total of 12 under par. “I’ve done everything I could to win, but Lumsden has played amazing. I started very well, although I was not making putts but on the 5th I sunk a great one that raised my spirit. On the 6th I hit a fat one and made bogey and started struggling, but from the 10th something clicked on my head and played brilliant. On the 15th I made a stupid three-putts and the last three holes I played very well. I’m very happy, I came this week without expectations after many weeks in a row on the Challenge Tour; I would have signed for a 2nd place before arriving here this week! I leave with a lot of confidence to follow my schedule on the Challenge Tour.” In 3rd place was Frenchman Romain Guillon, who finished with a 71 (-1) for a total 11 under par.
Angel Hidalgo Portillo, leader of the Order of Merit, did not have his best week in Albacete, but he managed to make the cut and, although he did not finish in the top positions, has maintained his lead in front of Italian Jacopo Vecchi Fossa.
The Alps de Las Castillas has been possible thanks to the union of the Federación de Golf de Castilla La Mancha and that of Castilla León, with the Real Federación Española de Golf. It has also had the support of the Las Pinaíllas Golf Club, the Albacete City Council, the Provincial Council of Albacete, the Junta de Castilla La Mancha, the Superior Council of Sports, Extrual, Allianz, AON, EDP Solar, Kyocera, Tag Heuer, as well as the collaboration of El Corte Inglés Albacete, Bodegas Ayuso, Panadería Alejo, Miguelitos Ruiz, NextCaddy. JGolf has been the organizing company of the Alps de Las Castillas, a tournament that supports the celebration of the Solheim Cup 2023.
Final round scores: click here or check on the Alps Tour Golf app.
7th July 2021 | Alps Tour Golf
Londot Lopes and Van Veen share the lead in Spain
Portugal’s Vitor Londot Lopes and Netherland’s Vince Van Veen are tied at the top of the leaderboard on six under-par (66) after the first round of the Alps de Las Castillas.
Las Pinaillas Club de Golf in Albacete, a beautiful and challenging course designed by the great Seve Ballesteros some 150 km west of Valencia, plays host to the ninth Alps Tour event of the 2021 season and the two players showed the finest form on the first day, although they are closely followed by a list of strong contenders, with 39 players returning an under-par scorecard.
Vitor Londot Lopes, who will celebrate his 25th birthday in just ten days, was 2nd one month ago at the Open de La Mirabelle D’Or in France and is presently 10th in the Order of Merit. The Portuguese golfer from Vilamoura played a solid bogey-free round: “It was a good day on the course and I had the privilege to mark an eagle-3 on hole 11, and four birdies. Of course, we golfers are never fully satisfied and always want something more, and I feel I could have saved a couple more shots, but the conditions of the course were very good, with some tricky wind that could come from all directions. I stuck to my game plan, and I think I did it ok. Hopefully, I will keep on making the good decisions and hit good shots in the next two days” said Londot Lopes.
Alongside Londot Lopes at the top of the standings is Netherland’s Vince Van Veen, 25, who is playing in his third Alps Tour season and is currently n. 53 in the ranking. He carded 8 birdies and two bogeys to earn his share of the lead.
“It’s been a bit of an up-and-down round, I did not get off to a good start and I fought to find my way round this golf course, then after probably six-seven holes I settled my golf swing and started hitting better shots, and obviously some quite good putts went in for my 6-under” said the Dutch player who has a 9th spot as his best performance up to now. “I did find myself in this position in the past, actually it happened on the previous tournament we played in Italy, so now I’m getting more familiar with being on top of the leaderboard and I start feeling more confident. I like the course very much, it is challenging and although it’s not particularly long, the greens are demanding and sometimes if you are on the wrong side of the fairway you cannot hit it close to the flag. Basically, that is what I’ve been trying to do today, find the good spots on the course and I did it properly. I feel my game is improving and I like where I’m standing now”.
The Alps de Las Castillas can count on a field of 130 players from 15 countries, and on the sponsorship of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation, the Federation of Castilla La Mancha and the Federation of Castilla León, and the support of the Golf Club Las Pinaíllas, the City of Albacete, the Provincial Council of Albacete, the Junta de Castilla La Mancha, the Consejo Superior de Deportes, Extrual, Allianz, AON, EDP Solar, Kyocera, Tag Heuer, as well as with the collaboration of El Corte Inglés Albacete, Bodegas Ayuso, Panadería Alejo, Miguelitos de la Roda, NextCaddy. JGolf is the organizing company of the Alps de las Castillas, a tournament that supports the celebration of the Solheim Cup 2023.
First round scores: click here or check on the Alps Tour Golf app.
4th July 2021 | Alps Tour Golf
Spain to welcome 9th tournament of the 2021 Alps Tour Season
In just a few days, the battle to conquer the top spots on the Alps Tour Season Ranking will resume in Spain on a new venue for this Tour, at Club de Golf Las Pinaillas (Albacete) in the region of Castilla La Mancha, some 150 km west of Valencia. It is a crucial stop in the year of the 20th anniversary for the Alps Tour, which moved its first steps in 2001 and has been a fundamental training ground for a number of talented players, like Englishman Matt Wallace, one of the best players in the world, or Adri Arnaus, who will represent Spain at the Olympic games in Tokyo, or Spaniard Santi Tarrio – leader of the Challenge Tour OoM, and tenth of winners in the European Tour like Italian Guido Migliozzi and Frenchman Antoine Rozner, just to mention the most recent ones.
At Las Pinaillas, a demanding course designed by the great Seve Ballesteros, seven of the top ten players in the Order of Merit will be fighting to keep or improve their position, including leader Angel Hidalgo Portillo from Spain, winner in Egypt of Ein Bay Open in May and in June of Memorial Giorgio Bordoni by AON in Italy; a third win this season would grant him direct access to the 2022 Challenge Tour!
Italian Jacopo Vecchi Fossa, number 2 in the ranking and winner in April of Abruzzo Alps Open, is also in the field, as well as Frenchman Pierre Pineau, third, who has collected two 2nd spots but still has to grab his first win as a pro.
With six more tournaments in the 2021 schedule after Alps de Las Castillas, the Alps Tour members will have to focus on different goals: in addition to the top positions for a 2022 Challenge Tour cards, the top 50 in the Order of Merit who have played at least 6 tournaments in 3 different countries, will gain a full category for next season and avoid a return to the Qualifying School.
The official presentation of the Alps de Las Castillas has been hosted by the City Council of Albacete on June 30th. The tournament was presented by Emilio Sáez Cruz, mayor of Albacete, Santiago Cabañero, president of the Provincial Council; Carlos Gutiérrez, president of the Golf Federation of Castilla-La Mancha; Diego Martínez, representative of Las Pinaillas Golf Club; Javier Gervás, CEO of JGolf, promoter of the tournament; Vicente Casañ, deputy mayor of Albacete, and Modesto Belinchón, councilor for Sports, among other representatives of the Corporation.
An amazing summoning for a common goal, “raising golf stars”!
“To become Jon Rahm, recent winner of the US Open and number one in the world, you need to be talented, but also to be able to show your talent, and this type of tournaments are fundamental for this purpose“, stressed Emilio Sáez, who added: “I think about the dozens of golfers who have gained experience through this tour and, thanks to it, have been able to fulfil their dreams“.
The Alps de Las Castillas will be played by 136 players from 17 countries, from July 7th-9th, with 38 teams in the Pro-Am on the 6th, thanks to the sponsorship of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation, the Federation of Castilla La Mancha and the Federation of Castilla León, and the support of the Golf Club Las Pinaíllas, the City of Albacete, the Provincial Council of Albacete, the Junta de Castilla La Mancha, the Consejo Superior de Deportes, Extrual, Allianz, AON, EDP Solar, Kyocera, Tag Heuer, as well as with the collaboration of El Corte Inglés Albacete, Bodegas Ayuso, Panadería Alejo, Miguelitos de la Roda, NextCaddy. JGolf is the organizing company of the Alps de las Castillas, a tournament that supports the celebration of the Solheim Cup 2023.
Entry list: click here or check on the Alps Tour Golf app.
3rd July 2021 | Alps Tour Golf
Alps de Las Castillas, Strength in Unity
18th June 2021 | Alps Tour Golf
Angel Hidalgo Portillo Comes Through to Claim Victory
June 18th, 2021 – Como, Italy. Angel Hidalgo Portillo went right down to the line today but pulled off his second Alps Tour victory of the year to raise the trophy of the Memorial Giorgio Bordoni on -14 (196) at the GC Pinetina.
It was not all plain sailing for the Spaniard though as he got off to a wobbly start: “I started well, made two solid putts and then on the fourth I don’t know what happened. I hit a straight shot OB and I started to feel not nervous, but the feeling was not solid. Then I made a bogey on the seventh. At that point I said to myself whoa, I need to start to make a few birdies”.
At this stage after the double bogey and bogey Hidalgo was sitting -10 and the tournament looked to be slipping through his fingers as he had fallen back to fourth place, three strokes behind the leader. But he remained focussed and turned the tide: “I made a good birdie on the tenth and from then I felt better. I’ve played the back nine really well all week and today I had two great putts for birdie on the sixteenth and seventeenth.”
With four birdies under his belt, he headed to the eighteenth green on -14:” I had my eye on the leader board a lot of the time, but it was funny on the 18th fairway as I saw that the Italian guy (Giovanni Manzoni) was 14 under and I said, okay, I just need to make par and maybe go to a play-off but that’s okay. So, I focussed on just making par and when I got to the green and was looking at the slope my caddy said, “two putts is enough” and that’s what I did”.
Indeed, the Italian amateur Giovanni Manzoni had played a dream round today with a perfect card bearing 7 birdies and sitting fourteen under on the eighteenth. But his sole bogey of the day stole victory from him giving him a more than respectable joint second place on -13 (197). His compatriot Leonardo Rigamonti and fellow amateur player played a solid round with five birdies and one bogey to tie for second.
In joint fourth place on -12 (198) were Victor Garcia Broto, yesterday’s runner-up and the French player Romain Vallaeys. The Spaniard had a fault-free round, but two birdies proved insufficient. Vallaeys topped the leader board at one stage lying -13 at the fifteenth tee. Unfortunately, despite a birdie on the last hole, the two bogeys on sixteen and seventeen sealed the deal.
With a brace of victories in his bag, Hidalgo now leads the Order of Merit with 20,578 points. Jacopo Vecchi Fossa from Italy moves back to second place with 18,152 points and the Frenchman Pierre Pineau remains third on 11,897.
After two back-to-back competitions the players now have a bit of respite before heading to Spain for the Alps de Las Castillas from 7th to 9th July at the Club de Golf Las Pinaillas.
Final Results: click here
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