ORLANDO – Former UCF men’s golf standouts Manuel Elvira and Ricardo Gouveia have each earned their European Tour card for 2024 after successful seasons on the Challenge Tour. The prestigious European Tour is currently called the DP World Tour and features some of the world’s best golfers, which includes Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm.
“What a huge lifetime accomplishment for both Manuel and Ricardo,” head UCF men’s golf coach Bryce Wallor said. “Ricardo has played the tour before, but this will be Manuel’s first year. Both have continued to prove that they are some of the best golfers in the world and I couldn’t be more proud.”
Elvira has had a stellar 2023 campaign while competing on the Challenge Tour in which he has posted 10 top-10 finishes on the links. Of his double-digit top-10 finishes, three have been runners-up, as he took second at the Kaskada Golf Challenge in June with a 9-under-par 275 (65-70-70-70) and tied for second at both The Challenge presented by KGA in March with a 17-under 271 (70-67-68-66) and the Blot Open de Bretagne in June at 7-under (67-69-66-71—273). He also recently placed fourth at the Hopps Open de Provence in October with a 17-under-par 271 (67-67-69-68) and is currently the third-ranked golfer on the Challenge Tour.
Gouveia has won a pair of tournaments in 2023 while competing on the Challenge Tour and has recorded a total of seven top-10 finishes. He first won the Abu Dhabi Challenge in April with a 19-under-par 269 (71-66-66-66), before winning the Hainan Open just a couple of weeks ago with a 16-under 272 (67-68-70-67). He also tied for eighth at the Challenge de España in September after carding 10-under-par (70-63-69-68—270) and is currently ranked No. 10 on the Challenge Tour. With his two victories this year, Gouveia now holds seven career Challenge Tour wins.
Elvira was a three-time all-conference performer for the Knights. The Santander, Spain, native capped his collegiate career with a ninth-place finish at the Kissimmee Regional en route to helping UCF advance to its second consecutive NCAA Championship in 2017-18. To view his current European Tour bio, click here.
Gouveia was a multiple time All-America honorable mention at UCF and a two-time PING All-Southeast Region honoree. He was also a two-time all-conference performer and tabbed the Conference USA Newcomer of the Year during his time as a Knight. He closed his collegiate career in 2013-14 and hails from Almancil, Portugal. To view his current European Tour bio, click here.