It is perhaps the most spectacular location for any golf tournament on any international schedule and remains one of the most popular stops on the DP World Tour.
The Omega European Masters started life as the Swiss Open in 1923 and has been a mainstay – under different names – ever since.
Set high in the mountains east of Geneva, the Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club doubles as a ski field in winter, its commanding views of the surrounding countryside attracting visitors in both winter and summer to indulge in skiing or golf.
DEFENDING CHAMPION: One half of golf’s most talented twins, Rasmus Hojgaard, prevailed in 2021 posting a one stroke victory over Bernd Wiesberger in a thrilling final round.
Hojgaard shot a brilliant 63 on Sunday to set the clubhouse target at 13-under with Wiesberger still on course one better.
But the Austrian found trouble at the par-4 18th where his tee shot ended in sand and mis-hit second splashed into the pond fronting the green.
RIGHT: Rasmus Hojgaard won here on debut in 2021. PHOTO: FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images.
The resulting double bogey dropped him to 12-under and Hojgaard was awarded his third European Tour trophy.
COURSE: Noted mostly for its spectacular setting, the course at Crans-sur-Sierre has existed in various forms since 1906.
That year, nine holes were opened for the use of guests of the Palace Hotel and three years later a second nine was added.
The first World War saw the course abandoned in 1914 and it would be 1929 before a full 18 hole layout was restored.
The course has undergone several changes over the years, the most comprehensive under the eye of the great Seve Ballesteros in the late 1990’s.
Three times a winner at Crans-sur-Sierre, the course was the site of one of the most famous shots he ever played, a miracle effort from trees and over a wall surrounding a swimming pool right of the 18th fairway in 1993.
Between 1995 and 1999 the layout was changed dramatically with all greens replaced and several holes overhauled.
Ironically, the shot Seve played that Sunday in 1993 would no longer be possible with a pond now fronting the green right where his ball finished.
The short par-4 7th hole always attracts a lot of attention tournament, week. Not only does it boast the best views on the course but at a driveable 303 metres also provides some scoring fireworks.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: It was first time lucky for last year’s winner Rasmus Hojgaard who has played the tournament just once and came away with the trophy.
The Dane may find it harder going this week, coming into the tournament off a lengthy break and some patchy form before that, but he will have some good memories to draw on and that can go a long way at this level.
More recent form is likely a better guide and American Sean Crocker fits that categorically nicely.
A winner for the first time in Europe three weeks ago he was mid field in the Czech republic last week but, importantly, finished T4 in the Alps last year.
The first half of 2022 was a disaster for Crocker, but he has turned things around since May and could pose a genuine threat this week.
Another worth considering in that vein is Scotland’s Richie Ramsay.
The champion here a decade ago, Ramsay claimed his fourth DP World Tour title a month ago and while his Crans results have been mixed since his win in 2012, he comes to Switzerland in the right frame of mind.
One outsider to perhaps keep an eye on this week is Australian veteran Scott Hend. He’s been in the horrors all year but loves this course and tournament and the likeable Queenslander might just find something this week.
He lost in consecutive play-offs in 2016 and 2017 but has missed the cut both times the tournament has been played since so is due for a better week.
72-HOLE RECORD: 260 (-24, Colin Montgomerie, 1996)
18-HOLE RECORD: 60 (-10, James Morrison, 2021)
PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: Kel Nagle (1961), Randall Vines (1967), Graham Marsh (1970, 1972) and Brett Rumford (2007)
AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Scott Hend, Jordan Zunic, Zach Murray, Jake McLeod and Dimi Papadatos.
TV TIMES*
Round 1: Thursday (Fox Sports 503 9.30pm – 2.30am)
Round 2: Friday (Fox Sports 503 9.30pm – 2.30am)
Round 3: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 9pm – 1.30am)
Round 4: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 9pm – 1.30am)
*AEST, check local guides
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