Frenchman Joël Stalter claimed his maiden European Tour victory in the Euram Bank Open in the Austrian Alps with fiancé Flora on the bag as he survived teeming rain to win. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

JOËL Stalter overturned a four-stroke deficit to win his first European Tour title at the Euram Bank Open in the Austrian Alps.

The Frenchman finished two strokes ahead of Staffordshire’s Richard Mansell in the dual-ranked European Tour and Challenge Tour event.

Victory was even sweeter for Stalter, as he shared his success with his fiancée Flora, his caddie for the week.

Stalter, whose only other win came at the Swedish Challenge, in 2016, said: “Winning here… I can’t really put it into words.

“I have been in this situation a few times and was never able to really push through.

“My girlfriend was on the bag this week. She has done an incredible job. She kept me going. She’s definitely part of my success today.

“It was a horrible day in terms of the conditions. It was tough for everyone,” said the 28-year-old, who beat Wiltshire’s Ben Stow and Wales Oliver Farr in a play-off in Sweden, four years ago.

“The course played probably 1000 yards longer,” said Joel. “But my girlfriend had her smile on and just kept me going. We just had fun

“I was playing really well and I just really enjoyed it, even though it was a tough day.

“I didn’t know I was leading until the 13th hole. Then I took my chance and really pushed through.

“I feel like today is a tribute to the last two years of getting slapped in the face a lot. I just kept pushing and believing.”

Leader’s nerves over closing holes

STALTER admitted he “felt nervous” over the last two holes of the final round, as he and Flora were soaked by the rain falling against the spectacular backdrop of the Austrian Alps.

“I just tried to enjoy it as much as I could. It’s what we train for,” said Stalter, who lost his European Tour card in 2017 after graduating from the Challenge Tour following his maiden win.

“All the tough days… this is what makes up for it. I just tried to stay in my game and do my best. Obviously it worked out well.”

Stalter started the day chasing 54-hole leader and fellow Frenchman Robin Sciot-Siegrist.

But he moved ahead after a birdie on the 10th – his second of the day – after his compatriot played the front nine at Golf Club Adamstal in four-over par.

A bogey on the 14^th hole brought him level with Mansell, who was playing in the final group.

But Stalter responded immediately with a birdie on the 15th. And a nervous wait followed as he parred his final three holes, setting the clubhouse target at 14-under.

Mansell, making just his second European Tour start after debuting at last week’s Austrian Open, made a costly bogey on the 16th.

And that gave Stalter his first European Tour victory after battling the teeming rain. The win earned him a cheque for €76,823.

Luiten left to rue costly 10 on par five

SCIOT-SIEGRIST finished in third place alongside Sweden’s Christofer Blomstrand and Germany’s Alexander Knappe.

Another Frenchman – Julien Brun – shared sixth place with South Africa’s Garrick Higgo, and pre-tournament favourite Joost Luiten.

The Dutchman, with six European Tour wins to his name, was left to rue the five dropped shots when he took 10 on the par five seventh in Friday’s third round.

Last year Mansell was winning regularly on the PGA EuroPro Tour, earning him seven starts on the Challenge Tour, earning his card for 2020 by finishing 64th on the Race to Mallorca.

The former Novo Southeastern University NCAA champion said: “If you had asked me at the start of the week – would you take a second place finish on your own? Yes.

“But with four holes to play when you’ve got a one-footer to tie the lead, or if you could just birdie the last, it’s difficult to swallow.

“But I’ll be back again. I know I’ll have more chances, said the 25-year-old from Beau Desert Golf Club.

“This week has given me a lot of confidence going forward. I’m happy with where my game’s at so we’ll see what happens next.

“I am good enough. I think I’ve always known that. I’ve just been waiting for a result.

“Now I’ve got that I just have that confidence, so I can go ahead and play freely now. I’m looking forward to what’s to come.”

It was a good weekend for Hampshire’s Scott Gregory, despite finishing with a one-over par 71.

An opening round of 66, backed up by a pair of 68s, left. him in a share of 13th place and earned him €6,661.

•After the Austrian Alps, the European Tour moves to Close House, near Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the North East of England, next week for the Betfred British Masters.

It is the first tournament of the new six-event UK Swing which forms a substantial part of the reshaped 2020 Race to Dubai.

The post Why Stalter loves the Flora and fauna of Austrian Alps… in fact Euram can Bank on it appeared first on Golf North.

Joost Luiten shot an excellent 63 to top the leaderboard at the Euram Bank Open in Austria. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

JOOST Luiten has reached the summit in Austria for the second time in two weeks.

The Dutchman opened up a two-shot lead at after the second round at the Euram Bank Open.

The six-time European Tour winner carded a seven-under par 63 – adding to his five-under par first round – to get to 12-under.

Luiten said: “You never want to finish with a bogey. I missed the green, hit a decent chip and missed a short putt from about eight feet.

“All in all, it was a good day and I don’t want to ruin it just because of the bogey on the last. I need to take the positives into the weekend.

“There were 17 great holes really, I haven’t been in a lot of trouble or missed a lot of greens – even though it was tricky out there with the wind picking up a bit and the rain coming in. I’m really happy with seven-under.

“It was more difficult than yesterday, because of the wind. It’s hard to judge where it comes from up in the mountain.

“In the middle of the round it really picked up and when the rain came in it died down a little again. It was a tough day.”

Eriksson chasing Luiten at Adamstal

JOOST Luiten sits two strokes ahead of Sweden’s Philip Eriksson and Frenchman Joël Stalter at Golf Club Adamstal.

The 34-year-old pre-tournament favourite also led last week’s Austrian Open after the first round, eventually finishing in a share of 18th place.

Luiten started the day with two birdies and an eagle on his first five holes. He made another gain on the ninth, going out in just 31 strokes.

Three birdies followed on the back nine before he signed for a 63 after a bogey on the last.

Eriksson who, like Luiten, made a strong start last week at Diamond Country Club, carded a four-under par 66.

That saw him join Stalter in second place after the 28-year-old carded his second consecutive round of 65.

Eriksson said: “I’m playing pretty similar to last week – solid golf and hitting the putter really well. It’s good fun playing out there right now.

“This is what you want, coming out to the first tournaments, being in contention right away and feeling the heat.

“I’ve tried to get some practice back home, challenging friends. But it’s not really the same. Nothing beats playing in a big tournament like this.”

Golf Club Adamstal is hosting the Euram Bank Open, in the lower Austrian Alps

Card-trickster Stalter rediscovers magic

STALTER, who won five times playing college golf at University of California, is famous for his sleight of hand card tricks on Tour.

And the magic was definitely there for France’s former No. 1 ranked amateur, who has just one Challenge Tour win to his name, back in 2016.

Stalter said: “I had a great round today. I really had it going on the front nine and then on the back nine I gave myself a lot of chances.

“I didn’t make them but it’s still really solid. Bogey-free round – you’ll always take those.

“The pins were tucked. It was windy but I gave myself a lot of chances.

“I had six feet for birdie on 13, 10 feet for birdie on 14. I just didn’t make those, and on 16 I lipped out.

“It was tough to get close to the pins, but great playing. That’s golf, you make some putts, then cool down. At the end of the day it’s a great round.”

Stalter is playing in his 42nd European Tour event in this week’s dual-ranking event with the Challenge Tour.

His 16th place finish on the Order of Merit in 2016 earned the last card for the European Tour in 2017, but he finished 132nd on the Race to Dubai.

Brun back with a bang after 64 – bettered by Scott’s 62

ANOTHER Frenchman – Julien Brun – making his first appearance since the Lalla Aïcha Challenge Tour in October, carded a six-under 64, moving to fourth place on nine-under.

In fifth place are Sweden’s Christofer Blomstrand, American John Catlin, Australia’s first-round leader Deyen Lawson and Scotland’s Chris Robb – all on eight-under.

Spaniard Scott Fernandez carded the lowest round of the day, an eight-under 62, to join seven others in a share of ninth place.

•For live scoring and to follow Joost Luiten in Friday’s third round click here.

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Adri Arnaus has won on the Alps Tour in Italy. Can he win his first European Tour title at Golf Club Adamstal, which hosts this week’s Euram Bank Open. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

SPANIARD Adri Arnaus returns to his Alps Tour roots this week as he prepares for the Euram Bank Open.

It will be his first appearance at the picturesque Golf Club Adamstal in the Austrian Alps.

Arnaus burst on to the professional golf scene in 2017. He won two events on the Alps Tour as an amateur, including the Grand Final at Golf Club des Iles Borromees, in the Italian Alps.

He also topped the Order of Merit that year to earn his place on the European Challenge Tour.

The following season he graduated to the European Tour after finishing inside the Top 15 on the Challenge Tour Rankings – winning the Ras Al Khaimah Challenge Tour Grand Final, in the United Arab Emirates.

Adri Arnaus said: “I definitely missed out on playing a beautiful golf course a couple of years ago.

“I love any course which is different to what we are used to – being here in the mountains with the tree lines is very special.

“It’s one of the coolest places I’ve been to so far this year,” said the Texas A&M University graduate.

“It’s so different. You can breathe in the nature everywhere you turn. I’m going to remember a lot of holes on this golf course.

“I’ve tried to make a schedule which looks good for the rest of the year,” added the 2017 Spanish Amateur Champion.

“It’s great we can get back to competition and hopefully play for titles on Sundays.

“Last year I wanted to get to the DP World Tour Championship, and hopefully I can get a bit higher up on the rankings this year.

“I had a good year last year and started pretty well this season, so I had some momentum,” added Arnaus, talking about the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

“We had to reschedule everything and find new things to do,” said the 25-year-old who is now looking for his maiden European Tour win.

“Golf is a game where you don’t have to be on the range all the time, you can improve other aspects of your game.

“I’ve been focusing on the physical and mental aspects. Then when we were allowed to play golf in Spain again, I did that and got back in shape.”

And if that preparation will pays dividends if he can follow last week’s winner Marc Warren by winning in Austria, which hosts an event for a second week in a row.

Golf Club Adamstal – situated in the Austrian Alps – will again stage the Euram Bank Open. The Challenge Tour tournament has been upgraded to dual-ranking European Tour event

Ewen hoping it’s Fergie time in Alps

GOLF Club Adamstal is situated in a valley in the Lower Austrian Alps.

And after hosting the Euram Bank Open on the Challenge Tour since 2018, it is now the venue for the second of two dual-ranking events.

Arnaus is pleased to have made the trip to Ramsau as the 2020 season continues, after missing out on the tournament two years ago.

Also in the field this week is Scotland’s Ewen Ferguson, who will be hoping to go one better than his runner-up finish at last year’s Euram Bank Open.

The 24-year-old carded an eight-under par 64, making a charge from 13^th place at the start of the final day.

He finished as runner-up to compatriot Calum Hill alongside Portugal’s José-Filipe Lima.

Ferguson said: “There are a lot of good players right now in Scotland. Loads of good guys coming through.

“I think Marc Warren was very motivated by not doing well last year and getting on top of his game. There are loads of young Scots coming through.

“I think it’s a kick up the backside for the older guys and they’re pushing on.

“You look at leaderboards now and there seems to be a lot of Scots kicking around.

“It’s good for us, even having lunch you can chat to friends you’ve known for years. It makes it homely rather than it being hard on the road.

“You know you can bat ideas off each other and inspire each other. I played well here last year.

“I finished second and had a good run at it in the end. It was a good week for me. It’s been nice practicing here again.

“I know some of the places to go and places not to go, that could be quite helpful. I’m excited to get going.

Schneider hopes Austrian form continues

HOPING to carry on his form from last week’s Austrian Open is Germany’s Marcel Schneider.

The 30-year-old carded four consecutive rounds of 69 – dropping just four shots all week – to finish one stroke behind winner Marc Warren.

Schneider said: “I’m so happy to be back out and competing. My game was super solid.

“You could see from the scores, three-under four times and I just dropped four shots the whole week. Hopefully I can continue that.

“Something clicked there. Putting has never been the strength of my game. But it worked quite well last week.

“Hopefully I can ride that wave for a long time. I love the course, beside the walking, I really love the views from the fairways and the greens.

“You need a lot of tactics in your game,” added Schneider who won the 2018 Swiss Challenge

The Euram Bank Open will be governed by the European Tour’s comprehensive Health Strategy, as will all events for the remainder of the 2020 season.

The strategy relies on healthcare specialists Cignpost to deliver rapid on-site COVID-19 screening.

All players, caddies and on-site personnel will be tested in order to help mitigate the risk of new COVID-19 infections.

Participants will operate within national public health guidelines, including social distancing as well as following enhanced hygiene directives.

•To follow Adri Arnaus in the first round click here for live scoring.

The post Adri Arnaus would love to be King of the Mountains by winning Euram Bank Open appeared first on Golf North.

Seve Ballesteros designed the Royal Óbidos course which will host the Portugal Open

THE Open de Portugal at Royal Óbidos will return to the European Tour schedule in September. It will form an Iberian Swing along with the Andalucia and Portugal Masters.

The Portuguese Open will now become a dual ranking event when it is staged at the Seve Ballesteros-designed Royal Óbidos course, from September 17-20.

It will be the third event in the new Iberian Swing, following the Estrella Damm NA Andalucia Masters at Valderrama and the Portugal Masters.

The Portugal Open was already confirmed as part of the European Challenge Tour’s Road to Mallorca for a third consecutive year. It will now return to the European Tour for the first time since 2017.

The announcement follows the strategy of playing events on the reshaped 2020 Race to Dubai in regional clusters.

The Andalucia Masters will be played at the Spanish course in Sotogrande from September 3-6, while the Portugal Masters returns to Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course, in Vilamoura, from September 10-13.

The 58th edition of the historic event will be promoted by the Portuguese Golf Federation and moves to Royal Óbidos Spa & Golf Resort for the first time. There will also be an increased prize fund of €500,000.

First played in 1973, the tournament boasts an impressive list of winners including Sam Torrance in 1982 and 1983, Colin Montgomerie in 1989, Miguel Angel Jiménez in 2004 and Thomas Bjørn in 2010.

Wallace won in Portugal in 2017

HERTFORDSHIRE’S Matt Wallace claimed the first of his four European Tour wins the last time the Open de Portugal was part of the Race to Dubai in 2017.

It propelled the Moor Park golfer, who had been playing on the Alps Tour after turning pro, up the rankings.

The win became part of his three wins in 12 months that almost pushed him into Europe’s 2018 Ryder Cup team when he won a play-off at the Made in Denmark tournament.

Since then Australia’s Dimitrios Papadatos and Poland’s Adrian Meronk claimed their first Challenge Tour victories in Portugal, in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

Ben Cowen, the European Tour’s deputy chief operating officer, said: “In planning the reshaped 2020 Race to Dubai, part of our measured approach has been to play, where possible, in clusters in one region or territory.

“Adding the Open de Portugal at Royal Óbidos as a dual ranking event creates a three tournament ‘Iberian Swing’ for players on the European Tour, and delivers further good news for Challenge Tour members as the event remains on the Road to Mallorca for a third consecutive season.

“We are grateful to our partners at the Portuguese Golf Federation and Royal Óbidos Spa & Golf Resort for working with us to feature this event on both the Challenge Tour and European Tour.”

Portuguese Golf Federation president Miguel Franco de Sousa said: “We are very happy to secure another dual ranking Open de Portugal which moves to Royal Óbidos for the next three years.

“This region offers a variety of courses making it a very interesting golf destination in Portugal.

“We believe that Royal Óbidos, a Seve Ballesteros design, will be a good test of golf for both European and Challenge Tour players.

“This event shows our strong commitment to work closely with the European Tour in order to promote Portugal as one of the best golf destinations in the world, on one hand and, on the other, to provide playing opportunities to our playing professionals, especially in this difficult season with very few tournaments being played.”

Royal Óbidos will stage the Open de Portugal which will be a dual ranking European and Challenge Tour event as part of the new Iberian Swing, in September.

Tour returned to action in Austria

THE European Tour returned this week with the Austrian Open, the first of two dual-ranking events in Austria, followed by the Euram Bank Open.

The new six-event UK Swing follows in July and August before the action moves to Spain and Portugal.

All tournaments in the reshaped 2020 season will be governed by the Tour’s comprehensive Health Strategy, which has been developed by chief medical officer Dr Andrew Murray.

The strategy was drawn up in consultation with health care specialists Cignpost and advisers in many of the 30 countries in which the European Tour plays.

They will also be underpinned by the new ‘Golf for Good’ initiative which aims to support communities where the European Tour plays.

It rewards true heroes, such as frontline workers, and will promote the many health benefits that golf offers, the Tour said.

The post Portugal Open completes Iberian Swing and returns to European Tour in September appeared first on Golf North.

Joost Luiten – the winner of the Austrian Open in 2013 – is favourite as the European Tour resumes after a fourth-month suspension because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Picture by GETTY IMAGES

FORMER Austrian Open champion Joost Luiten returns to Diamond Country Club, the site of his second European Tour victory in 2013, as the favourite for the European Tour’s return to action.

The Dutchman is joined by one of the Tour’s most recent first-time winners in Oman Open champion Sami Välimäki.

The dual-ranked Austrian Open marks the return to golf for both the European Tour and European Challenge Tour after a four-month absence

The 2020 Race to Dubai was suspended after the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, in early March, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It resumes almost four months to the day with the first of two events in Austria, before moving on to the six-event UK Swing in July and August.

Lutien is hoping to pick up where he left off back in the spring.

Joost said: “I started to play well at the last two events before the break. I was up the leaderboard two weeks in a row but couldn’t finish the job

“But at least I was giving myself chances. It wasn’t great timing but, at the end of the day there’s nothing we could do. We had to accept it.

“It’ll be great to have these tournaments on again. We’ve been practising without having any events on the schedule.

“It’s been a bit weird and you find it difficult to find the motivation. Now we’ve been able to get ready for tournaments there’s some adrenaline and excitement going.

“I’ve been trying to get my game back up to tournament level, so it’ll be good to see where it is.

“Practising is always different. But I feel as though I’m hitting the ball well, so I need to see how I do under pressure.”

How Golf South reported Välimäki’s maiden win in Oman in March

Rookie Sami wants more victories

ROOKIE Sami Välimäki announced himself as Scandinavia’s new kid on the block, back in March.

He brought his swashbuckling, winning form from from Germany’s Pro Golf Tour, where he won the last three events of 2019, to the main Tour.

He said: “After the suspension of tournaments around the world, for the first three weeks I felt really disappointed because we couldn’t play golf.

“But after that it was nice to relax with my family and let it sink in that I won on the European Tour.

“It’s something I am really proud of, the way I played and the way I won the Oman Open.

“All of my friends and family were really happy for me, seeing the hard work pay off. So we had a big party to celebrate.

“I’m looking forward to getting back to competitive golf. It’ll be nice playing again.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve played in conditions like these. We’ve had a couple of tournaments back in Finland.

“There are a few things I’ve been working on with my game, so we’ll see what happens.

“I’m feeling good, so you never know. Everyone is in the same situation. It has been very different, so we’ll see what happens over the next few days.”

Recent winners join Jiménez in Austria

BELGIAN Nicolas Colsaerts, winner of the 2019 Open de France, and Sweden’s Anton Karlsson, who won the RAM Cape Town Open on the Challenge Tour, in February, are also in the field.

They travelled to Austria to appear alongside Spaniard Miguel Angel Jiménez, who is making his 705^th European Tour start this week.

That leaves the 21-time European winner just one appearance behind Sam Torrance’s record, which has stood for a decade.

Jimenez, who has been playing on the PGA Champions Tour since turning 50 six year ago, said: “It’s strange when you see a golf course with no ropes or hospitality.

“But it’s nice that they’ve made the effort to put on tournaments and bring people here to play golf.

“When I finished playing at Newport Beach in March, I spent two weeks in my house in the Dominican Republic, and they said everything was locked.

“We stayed there for four months and I arrived here last night.

“I’ve come here because I like the golf course, and my wife is from Austria.

“I’m here to compete. After four months I feel ready. Diamond Country Club is a very nice golf course, very flat – which is good for me.”

Conor Syme looking to go one better than his second place finish in the Shot Clock Masters two years ago at Austria’s Diamond Country Club

Scot Syme keen to take another Shot at Austrian title

Meanwhile, Scot Connor Syme recorded his best European Tour finish so far at the Diamond CC course in 2018. He was runner-up to Finn Mikko Korhonen at the innovative Shot Clock Masters.

Syme said: “I’m delighted to be back. It does feel weird. But it feels safe too – with all the precautions the European Tour are taking to make it possible to play.

“I’m feeling positive about that, which was going to be the difficult thing.”

The 24-year-old from Kirkcaldy added: “I have great memories of playing here.

“It’s the first time I’ve been back since. I’ve been talking my caddie through shots that I played.

“It’s been one of my biggest European Tour highlights, so it’s nice to come back and reminisce.

“We might be a little bit easier on ourselves after bad shots, after four months off.

“I’m expecting to be a bit rusty. But everyone will be in the same boat,” said Syme, who returned to the European Tour after a top 15 finish on the Challenge Tour’s Race to Majorca in 2019,

As per all events on the reshaped 2020 Race to Dubai, the Austrian Open will be governed by the European Tour’s comprehensive health strategy.

Healthcare specialists Cignpost will deliver rapid on-site COVID-19 screening.

All players, caddies and on-site personnel will be tested at the Diamond CC, and future venues, to help mitigate risk of the virus spreading.

Participants will operate within national public health guidelines, including social distancing and following enhanced hygiene directives.

•For live scoring at Austria’s Diamond CC click here.

The post Joost Luiten favourite in Austria as European Tour resumes at Diamond CC appeared first on Golf North.

The Diamond Country Club will host an event on the European Tour for the 10th year in a row in July after it was confirmed the Austrian Open will go ahead as planned from July 9-12

THE European Tour has brought forward the date its tournaments will resume by a week – with the Austrian Open, now going ahead at Diamond Country Club in July.

The news marks the return of the European Challenge Tour which resume its 2020 season with the Euram Bank Open a week earlier.

And the decision to hold back-to-back dual ranking events in Austria next month is a big boost for those players with limited playing opportunities in Europe, and who have no status on the PGA Tour in America.

The Austrian Open at Diamond Country Club, takes place from July 9-12.

It marks the return of the Challenge Tour’s Road to Mallorca after a five-month pause following the global outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

It will be followed by the Euram Bank Open at Golf Club Adamstal, which remains in its original slot on the calendar – but now begins a day earlier, taking place from Wednesday, July 15 to Saturday, July 18.

Both tournaments will have prize funds of €500,000.

The European Tour will full resumes its 2020 season with the Betfred British Masters Hosted by Lee Westwood at Close House, near Newcastle, from July 22-25 – also a day earlier than originally planned.

The Challenge Tour’s resumption will be five months after Christian Bezuidenhout won South Africa’s Dimension Data Pro-Am.

That win conclude three consecutive weeks in South Africa at the start of the 2020 Challenge Tour season.

From South Africa to Austrian Alps

BEZUIDENHOUT’S victory at Fancourt Golf Estate, in February, followed a win for fellow South African JC Ritchie in the Limpopo Championship, at Euphoria Golf Club.

Sweden’s Anton Karlsson was victorious in the RAM Cape Town Open, at Royal Cape Golf Club during the South African swing.

On the European Tour, the two dual-ranking events in Austria precede the Tour’s full return at the Betfred British Masters at Close House, in the North East.

That event launches a six-week UK swing, alongside the English Open at the Marriott Forest of Arden, the English Championship at Hertfordshire’s Marriott Hanbury Manor, the Celtic Classic and the Wales Open at The Celtic Manor Resort, and the UK Championship at The Belfry.

It will be the third consecutive year the Euram Bank Open has been part of the Challenge Tour schedule.

Dutchman Darius van Driel and Scotland’s Callum Hill won in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

Calum Hill winner of the 2019 Euram Bank Open at the mountainous Golf Club Adamstal

Medical protocols guide Tour’s return

Challenge Tour head Jamie Hodges said: “We are pleased to announce the resumption of the Challenge Tour season with the Austrian Open at Diamond Country Club – and the Euram Bank Open at Golf Club Adamstal – two dual-ranking events which will take place in consecutive weeks in July.

“Our measured approach to the 2020 season has mirrored that of the European Tour.

“We have been informed each step of the way by our Medical Health Strategy, led by our chief medical officer Dr Andrew Murray, aligned to individual government safety advice.

“Part of this strategy is to play, wherever possible, in clusters in one territory.

“We are therefore grateful to the Austrian Golf Federation and the two venues – Diamond Country Club and Golf Club Adamstal – for their support in making these events happen.

“We will continue to be guided by the European Tour’s Medical Health Strategy and we will announce details of subsequent 2020 Challenge Tour events in due course.”

Ben Cowen, the European Tour’s deputy chief operating officer, said: “These two dual-ranking events provide vital playing opportunities for our members following the enforced period of inactivity since March.

“We are therefore grateful to both Diamond Country Club and Golf Club Adamstal, as well as the Austrian Golf Federation, for their support.

“We look forward to visiting Austria ahead of the European Tour’s full resumption with the Betfred British Masters at Close House the following week.”

Diamond Country Club celebrates 10th year

DIAMOND Country Club will be celebrating its 10th anniversary as a European Tour host venue next month.

Its president Christian Guzy said: “Diamond Country Club has a history of exceptional moments at the various events we have hosted.

“For example, the tournament 10 years ago was staged at short notice, and two years ago we held the world’s first Shot Clock tournament.

“Accordingly, we enjoy the trust of those individuals who are responsible for the European Tour.

“Due to the coronavirus crisis, this year’s event also takes place under very special conditions.

“There are official regulations, which we will strictly comply with.

“Nevertheless, we want to hold the tournament to the fullest satisfaction of the Tour and the players.

“I would also like to thank the political decision-makers in Austria, whose measures were a great contribution in ensuring golf was one of the first sports to resume.

“The tournament will be a good showcase not only for Austria, but also for the state of Lower Austria.”

The spectacular Golf Club Adamstal in the Austrian Alps will host the dual-ranking European Tour and Challenge Tour event when the Euram Bank Open returns in July

‘Austria leading way for golf and Formula One’

ADAMSTAL president Franz Wittmann said: “I am pleased we have become part of the European Tour with the Euram Bank Open, and that – together with the Diamond Country Club – Austria will be a pioneer in international top-class golf in Europe, following the suspension due to the coronavirus crisis.

“This is comparable with Formula One, as Austria will stage the first two successive races.

“In our country we can be very proud of that. I hope that with this restart, we can also mark a significant return for golf.

“For me personally, I wish that as many Austrians as possible will be represented on the leaderboards of both tournaments.”

Austrian Golf Federation president Dr Peter Enzinger said: “Especially in these unprecedented times, it is a great sign – and a well-earned accomplishment for golf in Austria – that the European Tour and Challenge Tour will restart their seasons after this enforced break with two events on Austrian soil.

“With so much time pressure, it was not easy to accomplish. But the co-operation with the European Tour and the Austrian Ministry of Sports has been outstanding and successful.

“We are very much looking forward to having these events and Golf Club Adamstal and Diamond Country Club – together with the Austrian Golf Federation – will again be perfect hosts and European Tour partners.”

Golfclub Adamstal was the dream of European rallying ace Wittman – who hired respected architect Jeff Howes to build a nine-hole course in 1994 – it was expanded in 1998, with a further nine holes added in 2006.

The 28 holes – the Championship Course has a 19th hole to “settle wagers” – offers some of golf’s most picturesque views on the Continent.

Austria’s Golf Club Adamstal was founded by European rallying champion Franz Wittmann

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Two-time European Tour winner Guido Migliozzi recorded his first bogey-free round since the Turkish Airlines Open, in November, to lead the Oman Open after the first round.
Picture by GETTY IMAGES

GUIDO Migliozzi fired a flawless round of 66 to rediscover his form and take the first round lead at the 2020 Oman Open.

The Italian has two European Tour wins from his stunning rookie year on the Race to Dubai last season.

But Migliozzi missed his first three cuts of the 2020 campaign and arrived at Al Mouj Golf without a bogey-free round since the Turkish Airlines Open in November.

The 23-year-old showed his class that week in Antalya as he achieved his first top 10 in a Rolex Series event.

And during round one in the desert he once again showed why he is a major rising star on the European Tour.

A delighted Migliozzi said: “It’s very good to start the tournament with a 66 and a bogey free round.

“It’s a good feeling to work my way into this beautiful course and tournament.

“Obviously, I will try to give my best over the week and for the rest of the year,” added the winner of the Magical Kenya Open and the Belgian Knockout.

“I think the whole course is good. It’s tricky because the greens are tough and tight and there are a lot of things which need your attention – like the wind and the release of the ball.

“You can play each hole in a few different styles and it’s really cool and all the players are really happy to play here,” added Guido Migliozzi.

“It’s a good feeling to be a European Tour winner already. I like to win, and I hope one day will come when I win again.”

Migliozzi’s six birdies moved him to six-under, one shot ahead of 18-year-old Dane Rasmus Højgaard, South Korean Taehee Lee and South Africa’s Brandon Stone.

Rasmus Højgaard – who won on his European Tour debut as a pro in his first start in Mauritius in December – said: “The conditions when I started out were a bit tricky.

“The wind was up a little bit so it was a bit of a battle but I got through it.

“This course is quite wide from the tee box, which is very nice, and I’m putting well.

“You have to have good speed on the greens out here because you’re going to be faced with some long putts. That was the key today.

“It might have come as a little surprise that I won so early on the European Tour, but I was playing well in my last year as an amateur – and I carried that confidence into the professional game.

“My goal this year is to be the Rookie of the Year and have multiple wins, so that’s what I’m chasing.”

Of course, last year’s winner in Oman was Kurt Kitayama who recorded his second win in his rookie season at Al Mouj – a feat matched last summer by Migliozzi.

Will that be a good portent for young Dane, whose twin brother Nicolai – another very promising prospect – is in the field in Oman?

Stone, who won his first Rolex Series event at the 2018 Scottish Open, said: “I’m always going to have a soft spot for this golf course.

“This is where I earned my playing rights from the Challenge Tour, so I have some history here and I played nicely here last year too.

“I love the course – it’s in my top five in the world, if I’m being honest, and every year coming back is an absolute pleasure.

“Last year was a fantastic year for me – even though the results weren’t there – because we put a lot of structure in place, physically and mentally.

“We did it to transform me as a person as well as a golfer, and I feel like the base work is there at the moment. My game feels fantastic and I’m feeling physically the best I ever have.

There is a group of eight players at four-under including former Ryder Cup players Victor Dubuisson, Ross Fisher, Stephen Gallacher and Andy Sullivan.

Joost Luiten – the 2018 champion – is in a group of 10 players at three -under, with five players returning to complete their finals holes on Friday morning due to darkness.

•For live scoring in the second round click here.

The post Guido Migliozzi goes bogey- free to lead by one from Hjøggard in Oman Open appeared first on Golf North.

Martin Kaymer is pleased to have caddy Craig Connolly back on his bag as he attempts to return to the winner’s circle for the first time since 2014. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

MARTIN Kaymer is hoping to continue his strong start to the 2020 Race to Dubai as he makes his debut at the Oman Open this week.

The German has finished in the top 20 in his three events so far as he looks to change his consistency of the last two seasons into the sort of form that made him the best in the world at the start of the last decade.

The 35-year-old already has a career that would stand up in any era, winning the Race to Dubai and two Major Championships.

He also reached No. 1 in the Official World Golf Rankings and holed the vital putt as Europe completed the Miracle of Medinah in the 2012 Ryder Cup – an event he would like to feature in in Wisconsin, in September, for obvious reasons.

After changing the trajectory of his driving to get more length off the tee, Kaymer has now turned his attention to his putting in his quest for a first win since the 2014 US Open at Pinehurst – happy that he has on old friend back on the bag as well.

The player who won his first ever Challenge Tour event in 2006, is focused on doing the work to get back to the top, starting this week at Al Mouj Golf.

Kaymer said: “I was just going with the flow the last two or three years and took my game for granted a little bit.

“I didn’t really work on one specific thing and the last few years it was quite clear where my weakness was in my game as I was losing a lot of shots on the green.

“Outside 10 feet I couldn’t make a putt and that led to me not scoring and shooting those low scores that give you an opportunity on the Sunday.

“I worked a lot on the short game over the winter and I also wanted to drive the ball further without screwing up my natural shot, and that takes some planning and communicating with the coach.

“For me, it was more of the mentality of continuing that process as I knew what the other outcome was and that didn’t quite work out for me the last two years.

“I wanted to and needed to change something and become an even more complete player to try and win tournaments again,” added Kaymer, who has also reunited with his old caddy Craig Connelly.

“I really miss that feeling,” Kaymer added. “This year I have a very good plan and I’m trying to qualify for all the big events such as the Ryder Cup, Olympic Games, Masters and The Open Championship.

“I’ve played in all those events before, but this year that’s not going to be the case so it’s something I’m looking forward to try and achieve.

“I can’t really tell you where my game is at right now, which is the exciting thing.” said Kaymer, whose second Major win came in that US Open victory at Pinehurst.

“I know I’m doing the right thing but I’ve just got be patient and let it happen.

“The expectations are quite high because you’re doing everything right and hitting 63 in a practice round.

“But you still need to do that in a tournament so it’s just a matter of time.”

Kaymer is convinced Connelly’s return will help that process.

“It’s nice once you’ve found somebody that you’ve been through the good and the bad times with” he revealed.

“More of the good times really, because we started working together in 2010 and I had a good few years – and he really understands me as a person.

“It’s more about the personality and finding someone that you get along with, understands you and what your goals are.

“He understands that and knows what I’m capable of so it’s nice to be reminded of that sometimes as you forgot.”

“We tend to focus on the things that we aren’t doing great,” said the winner of the 2010 USPGA at Whistling Straits – the venue for the 2020 Ryder Cup.

“But sometimes you need to be reminded of what you have already done in your career and good of a player you are.

“He is a very positive person and that has really helped me,” said Kaymer.

•To follow live scoring in the first round in Oman, click here.

The post Kaymer: Why caddy Craig Connelly is key to unlocking first win in six seasons appeared first on Golf North.

Yorkshire’s former England amateur international David Hague leads the Royal Golf Club Bahrain Open, with one round to play – local member Saud Alf Sharif is in the chasing pack

IT was a proud moment for Saudi Arabian golf and host venue Royal Golf Club when amateur Saud Al Sharif mastered tough playing conditions to shoot the lowest round of the day on the MENA Tour’s fourth event of the 2020 season.

Al Sharif surged into a tie for second place, just one behind leader David Hague, after the second round of the $75,000 Royal Golf Club Bahrain Open.

The 19-year-old member of the Saudi National Team learned his golf at the Royal Golf Club in Bahrain where he has been based for the past 10 years.

He used his immense local knowledge to the fullest – on a day when strong and swirling wind posed tough questions – to shoot a six-under par 66.

It moved him to tied second place at seven-under, tied with France’s Antoine Schwartz, who carded a 70.

“It is such an amazing day. I had an unbelievable round, my lowest ever on the MENA Tour,” said Al Sharif, who had sensationally made the cut last week in Oman, after holing out his second shot on the par-four 17^th hole for an eagle and a birdie on the last.

“My putter was on fire. I made putts from Saudi Arabia to Bahrain,” Al Sharif added.

“Come to think of it, my short game was something that was holding me back. I have been working really hard on my putting and chipping with Jamie McConnell, at the Claude Harmon Performance Institute, in Dubai, and it is showing results.

“Of course, I know this golf course better than everyone else. But playing at home also brings a lot of pressure and hopefully, I can handle it tomorrow as well as I did today.”

Saud Al Sharif is a member at this week’s host club for the fourth MENA Tour event of 2020

Dropped shots cut Hague’s cushion

YORKSHIRE rookie Hague, who started from the 10th, stumbled on his way home with three bogeys and a double on the front nine.

Hague, who turned pro after MENA Tour by Arena Qualifying School and recently finished runner-up at the NEWGIZA Open in Cairo, was five-under par through his front nine.

The consistent Hague drove his opening hole – the reachable par-four 10^th – and started in the best possible way with an eagle.

He made the turn at five-under before two, three-putts and a poor tee shot on the par-three seventh led to leaked shots.

A birdie on his last – the ninth – helped him close with a 70 and gave him a one-shot cushion going into the final round.

“I was playing really well and was 12-under par at one stage,” said the Malton & Norton GC member.

“It’s disappointing to finish at two-under, but I am happy that I managed to reach eight-under par.

“The conditions were quite difficult out there with the wind,” added Hague, who won the Lee Weestwood Trophy at Rotherham GC, in his final year as an amateur.

Schwartz, who is looking for his first win on the MENA Tour, was rewarded for his patience with two birdies in his last two holes – the eighth and ninth – both playing very difficult in the wind.

“It was a tough day and I just tried to remain patient,” said Schwartz, a European Challenge Tour member.

“It was a good finish with the two birdies and I am looking forward to tomorrow,” he added.

“Getting into contention is the main thing in golf and if I am within one or two shots of the leader tomorrow going into the back nine, I will be happy and give it my best shot,” said Schwartz, who is looking to emulate his friend Sebastien Gros, the winner in Cairo two weeks ago.

First round leader Joel Girrbach (72), from Switzerland, fell to tied fourth place at six-under the promising Scot Ryan Lumsden (67) and resurgent Frenchman Victor Riu (67).

Journey to Jordan leader David Langley, from Berkshire, made successive eagles on the ninth and 10^th holes after making a double bogey on the second hole.

The Castle Royle GC pro is in a group at five-under.

•To see live scoring in Wednesday’s final round click here.

The post Al Sharif flies flag for Saudi golf in challenge for Royal Golf Club Bahrain Open title appeared first on Golf North.

Holland’s Joost Luiten won the Oman Open two years ago and rates Greg Norman’s Al Mouj Golf course as one of the best the European Tour plays on. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

JOOST Luiten is hoping to draw on the good memories of his victory at Al Mouj Golf two years ago, when he returns to one of his favourite courses on the calendar for the 2020 Oman Open.

The Dutchman got the better of Chris Wood in a final day battle to win the inaugural edition of the Omani event in 2018, before finishing in a tie for 12th last year.

The 34-year-old, who has six European Tour wins to his name over the last nine years, is a big fan of this week’s host course – and is hopeful his experience will serve him well as he seeks victory number seven.

Luiten said: “I’m feeling good. It’s always good to come back to a golf course where you’ve won, where you have good memories, where you know you can play well.

“I love this golf course. It’s one of the best golf courses I think we play all year. It’s in great condition, the greens are firm and quick.

“It’s going to be a good test. You just need to strike it well. If you can hit the fairways and you can hit the greens from there, you can make a good score.

“But if you struggle off the tee, this is going to be a really tough golf course to play.

“It’s always great to win a tournament, especially when you can relax on the 18th and enjoy it – and that’s what I tried to do,” added Joost Lutien, whose maiden European Tour win came in the co-sanctioned Iskandar Johor Open, in Malaysia, in 2011.

“Hopefully I can take those good vibes out on the golf course this week again.

“I can remember the last day. It was a fun day and I had a great start, making three birdies on the first four holes to go three clear.

“And then it became a battle between me and Woody – obviously a good friend of mine.

“We didn’t play in the same group, but I can remember I was watching the group in front to see what he was doing – and he bogeyed the 17th to give me a little bit of air to go down the 18th two shots clear,” added Joost Luiten.

Defending champion Kurt Kitayama is not defending his title in Oman – he now has status on the PGA Tour and is playing at the Honda Open, at PGA National, in Palm Beach Gardens.

Stone another big fan of Al Mouj

THREE-time European Tour winner Brandon Stone also has fond memories of Muscat as he makes his fifth appearance in the Oman capital this week.

Stone said: “Oman is fantastic. What a design of a golf course that is – when people ask me what’s my favourite course on the European Tour, Al Mouj Golf is definitely up there. It’s simply fantastic.

“I played it during my time on the Challenge Tour and the design of the course is timeless.

“Greg Norman has done an incredible job there. Coming back is really fun.

“I love the place, the people, the golf course, the town of Muscat so I’m very excited to be back here.”

“Generally, when playing golf in the Middle East, driving is important.

“You’ve got to get a decent amount of carry through the air and with a lot of bunkers sitting around 280-290 yards off the tee it’s important to find the fairway – and that applies to this course, too.”

Aside from his two European Tour appearances in the Sultanate, the South African enjoyed top 10 finishes twice when the event was on the Challenge Tour schedule.

The 26-year-old finished tied fourth in 2013 at Al Mouj Golf before a sixth placed finish in the Challenge Tour Grand Final two years later helped him on his way to 14th in the rankings.

That secured Stone’s European Tour playing privileges for the following season.

•To see the first round tee times in the Oman Open, click here.

The post Joost Luiten looks for more good form in Oman Open as Muscat stirs memory of win appeared first on Golf North.