Only 20-year-old Danish professional Rasmus Höjgaard won the Omega European Masters in Crans-Montana one step ahead of Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger.
Keystone
Höjgaard, to whom many experts promise a bright future, concluded the tournament with a card of 63 on Sunday (7 under par), enough to beat all his competitors still fighting for the final victory. The Swede Henrik Stenson, winner of the British Open 2016, placed 3rd.
Before the final day, Rasmus Höjgaard seemed unlikely to be able to secure a third victory on the big European circuit. But he did not make a mistake on Sunday, fielding five Birdies and an Eagle to gain the upper hand in particular over the experienced Wiesberger, winner of eight tournaments since 2012.
This 2nd place shouldn’t be too bitter for Wiesberger. It could well allow him to become the first Austrian selected with the European team which will challenge the United States in the Ryder Cup at the end of September.
Rapid ascent
Until now, before a truncated 2020 season because of the Covid, Rasmus Höjgaard had made himself known on the Challenge Tour, the 2nd continental division. He had notably played with his twin brother Nicolai at the Swiss Challenge in Hildisrieden, near Lake Sempach.
He quickly rose to the next level to win the Mauritius Open, then the UK Championship at The Belfry / Birmingham last year. In addition to his three successes on the main European circuit, he also has many places of honor, in particular a 3rd row in Ash (ENG), two weeks before Crans.
The Valaisan event was endowed with 2 million euros. The Swiss did not have the means to upset the best. The first of them, the amateur Ronan Kleu, ranked 70th, just ahead of the Geneva professional Raphaël de Sousa (71st).
Satisfaction
Tournament director Yves Mittaz said he was fully satisfied with this 2021 edition. Protected by an “anti-Covid” device valued at 400,000 francs, thousands of spectators were able to attend the event.
However, the pandemic has retained many amateurs abroad, especially the English, resulting in a shortfall of 10 to 15%. Last year, the coronavirus caused the event to be canceled.
