Maximilian Steinlechner takes the season lead after Round 1, while Nemecz and Albers struggle to keep DPWT hopes alive.
The magic number at the Rolex Grand Final of the HotelPlanner Tour is 20. The top 20 players in the season standings after this event will earn full playing rights on the DP World Tour. Among those chasing this opportunity are three German-speaking players.
Steinlechner takes lead in live standings
For Austria’s Maximilian Steinlechner, it’s not just about securing a DPWT card—it could also mean winning the 2025 HotelPlanner Tour season title. He entered the final event just under 100 points behind leader JC Ritchie, with David Law only a few points behind him. After a strong opening round that included five consecutive birdies, Steinlechner sits tied for fourth. Ritchie, meanwhile, bogeyed the 17th and is one shot back in a tie for sixth. The current points differential would be enough to push Steinlechner into the top spot in the season rankings.
Nemecz and Albers under pressure
Lukas Nemecz, currently ranked 19th, is on the bubble for a DPWT card. Despite a solid two-under 70 that placed him 16th after Round 1, he dropped two spots in the live projections due to strong performances from players outside the top 20. Four bogeys offset his birdies, and he’ll need cleaner rounds to stay in the top 20.
Anton Albers faces the toughest road. Starting the week in 21st, his opening 73 left him tied for 34th out of 45 players and dropped him to 23rd in the live standings. A bogey on the first hole was an early warning, followed by more dropped shots—one on 6 and a disastrous triple on 8. He recovered somewhat on the back nine, gaining three strokes to limit the damage. He’ll need to carry that momentum into the remaining rounds to have a chance.