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.

The post Joost Luiten leads again in Austria… but can Dutchman bank on staying there? appeared first on Golf North.

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.

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

The post Diamond Country Club will now host first event when European Tour returns appeared first on Golf North.

CALUM Hill will attempt to join a select number of players to seal their European Tour card at the Rolex Trophy when the action gets under way on Wednesday.

The Scotsman has won twice during the 2019 European Challenge Tour season at the Euram Bank Open and the Made in Denmark Challenge.

The Gleneagles pro will look to claim his third title of the year at Golf Club de Genève and seal immediate promotion to the European Tour via the three-win rule.

Following the success of the ISPS Handa World Invitational last week, where men and women played for equal prize funds, the Rolex Trophy brings another different format as the top 39 ranked players, plus one invite, will play alongside amateurs in the four-day pro-am contest, which finishes on Saturday.

Last year’s champion Kim Koivu was the fourth player to complete the three-win feat in Geneva, clinching his third victory of the year at the event, following in the footsteps of Benjamin Hebert, Kristoffer Broberg and Nacho Elvira, who achieved the same success in 2011, 2012 and 2015, respectively.

“I’ve definitely thought about it,” said Hill. “I’m not just playing to see what happens, I want to play well and get that third win.”

Hill added: “If that happens, then that is the goal achieved, and if not, then I’ll hopefully stay inside the top 15 in the Rankings and get my European Tour card that way.”

Hill, who claimed his first professional win on the Challenge Tour at the Galgorm Resort & Spa Northern Ireland Open 12 months ago, has continued to impress this year, recording two wins, a tied third, and a share of seventh in his last four outings to become the new Challenge Tour No. 1.

The recent upturn in form began on home soil at the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open, where he carded rounds of 68, 64, 71 and 66 to earn a share of 26th place.

However, it is the work at the beginning of the year which the Scotsman points towards, having reaped the benefits over the past four weeks.

Hill revealed: “I think for most players the aim at the start of the year is to finish as high as possible.

“So if that means being No. 1 then that’s brilliant, but there is still lots of time left in the season but it is nice to be there right now.

“Work that has gone on for the past six months has fallen into place now. I wouldn’t say there are factors or assets that have clicked in my game, I just think I’m playing better golf.”

Antoine Rozner, who Hill overtook in the rankings last week, also has the chance to become the fifth player to win the Rolex Trophy and seal European Tour playing rights at the same time, following his wins at the Challenge de España and Prague Golf Challenge.

The pair will tee off at 12.05pm local time with the Rolex Trophy getting under way at 8:30am on August 21. For live scoring click here.

The post Hill can make it a hat-trick at Rolex Trophy and clock up promotion to European Tour appeared first on Golf North.

Scotland’s Calum Hill who continued his good form at last week’s Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club to lead at the halfway mark when returning to play in the Euram Bank Open on the European Challenge Tour. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

CALUM Hill leads the Euram Bank Open on 11-under par at the halfway stage after posting a bogey-free 64 on day two at Austria’s Golf Club Adamstal.

The Scot added a six-under par round to his opening five-under 65 to overhaul first round leader Marcel Schneider, who heads into the weekend as Hill’s nearest challenger after carding a one-under par second round to leave him two shots back on nine-under

Hill finished as the low Scot at the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open – last week’s Rolex Series event – and he has continued that form upon his return to the European Challenge Tour.

Hill said: “I’m happy with how things have panned out over the last couple of days. I’ve hit some nice golf shots and holed some putts so I’m in a nice position.

“I hit a lot of really good golf shots. I hit a poor wedge shot on my second hole, the 11th, which ended up in the right bunker – but I got that up and down and I wasn’t in too much trouble for the rest of the round.

“I had a couple of close looks, missed a handful but also made a couple so it worked out a nice score in the end.

“I hit a really good drive on the last which was just left of the trees and I had 74 yards to the pin and I put it to four feet before rolling that in. So it was nice to sign off the round with that,” Hill added.

The Kirkcaldy native played alongside three-time European Tour winner Grégory Havret, who also posted a six-under 64 to head into the weekend in a tie for 12th, and Hill admitted it helped to have the momentum of playing with someone who was also scoring freely.

Hill, who is attached to Gleneagles, said: “Every single shot Greg hits is of really high quality. It’s always a nice golf shot so you’re never stepping into your one thinking ‘oh gosh!’.

“You’ve always got a good vibe going into your shots, so it is nice to have that momentum in your group.

“I don’t find playing with Greg that different to playing with anyone else, despite his success. He’s just a really nice guy and very chatty, so it’s really relaxing,” said Hill who won last year’s Northern Ireland Open in just his fifth start on the Challenge Tour.

Hill and Havret were only bettered on day two by French duo Edouard Dubois, who posted a seven-under 63, and Antoine Schwartz, who tied the course record of 62 with Marcel Schneider, whose opening effort on day one saw him join Borja Virto on the honours board after the Spaniard set the record in 2018.

Behind Schneider is Kent’s Matt Ford, Switzerland’s Raphael de Sousa, Chle’s Felipe Aguilar, and Finland’s Oliver Lindell, who share third place on eight-under.

Then comes a group of six players on seven-under all tied for seventh, including Dubois and Schwartz, along with fellow Frenchman Joel Stalter, Jordan Mixed Open winner Daan Huzing, Germany’s Nicolai von Dellingshausen and Finn Mikael Salminen.

In total, 69 players survived the 36-hole cut of one under par and the third round will begin at 7.30am local time on Saturday.

For live scoring in the third round click here.

The post Hill climbs every mountain to lead at halfway mark in Austria’s Euram Bank Open appeared first on Golf North.