An Albanian soon on the DP World Tour?

Ilirian Zalli is the son of Canadian immigrants who both fled Albania (for his father) and Poland (for his mother) during the fall of communism. Having become a pro late in life, he made the cut for PQ3 of the European Cards and could represent Albania on the DP World Tour. A great first!

Thirtieth at the end of the fourth round of PQ3 of European Maps organized from November 8 to 13 at Tarragona (Catalonia), Illyrian Zalli is well on his way to becoming Albania's first representative on the DP World Tour. He is even already assured of being able to play on the Challenge Tour.

In the footsteps of PGA Tour tournament winners

Even though he is enrolled in university, Illyrian Zalli did not play at a high level as an amateur unlike many other players on the Canadian or American circuits. He turned professional at 18, is on a mini-tour in Canada taking online courses and still lives with his parents to take care of his mother Joanna, who suffers from multiple sclerosis.

This one is Polish and Zalli plays under the Albanian flag in homage to his father, Gentian, who fled the country at the age of 23. “ It's a very small country, but the people are wonderful and very resilienthe explained. I think of my father, who sacrificed so much for me to be here ».

He also recounts the difficulties, particularly financial, that his family has had to overcome over the years.

Fraser Mulhollandpresident of Vancouver Golf Toursays he sees some of the same qualities in Ilirian as in Adam Hadwin et Nick Taylorwho played on the same circuit before winning tournaments on the PGA Tour.

« He has proven that he is by far the best player on our tour and he has achieved it by winning eight times this year.”he commented. These victories allowed him to shatter the total earnings in a single season which had been established by Nick Taylor, and thus register in the European maps.

Illyrian Zalli showed his talent and temperament during the PQ3 of European Maps. With his back against the wall after having signed a card of 74 during the second round, he reacted by achieving a round of 63 notably punctuated by a hole in one at 13. According to his father, José María Olazábalwho was caddying for his nephew, was more excited than Ilirian!

Photo : Getty Images