The Rolex Trophy has been an integral part of the European Challenge Tour since it first appeared on the Challenge Tour International Schedule in 1991, but it has also been key for several players in their quest to graduate to the European Tour.
There are three ways to graduate to the European Tour from the Challenge Tour; finish the season-long rankings inside the top 15 places, win a European Tour event, or win three times on the Challenge Tour.
The final option has been done 12 times – twice by Benjamin Hebert – since Taco Remkes first claimed three wins in 2008. Whilst the Rolex Trophy has been involved four times as players clinched their European Tour at longest running Challenge Tour tournament.
Hebert was the first player to seal his third win of the season at the Rolex Trophy, as he recorded rounds of 66-65-71-67 for a one shot victory over Jorge Campillo and Tommy Fleetwood to gain promotion to the European Tour in 2011.
The feat was matched a year later by Kristoffer Broberg. The Swede recorded an incredible 27 under par total – the lowest score at the Rolex Trophy – which included 27 birdies, an eagle and only two dropped shots for a record-setting score.
Nacho Elvira was the third player to clinch his third Challenge Tour win of the season at the Rolex Trophy. The Spaniard gained immediate promotion to the European Tour in 2015 after his two stroke victory in Genève.
Last year, Kim Koivu become the fourth player to complete the Challenge Tour treble in Switzerland. After victories in China and on home soil in Finland, Koivu dominated at Golf Club de Genève to claim a wire-to-wire victory and graduation to the European Tour.
