DP World Tour set to hit the heights at Omega European Masters in Crans-sur-Sierre

By Matt Smith
The DP World Tour looks to hit some new heights as it returns to the stunning Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club in the Swiss Alps for the 50th time.

Danish star Rasmus Hojgaard will hope to defend the title he won last year some 5,000ft above sea level, at the same venue that has been an ever-present on tour since 1972 — the only omission being during the Covid-19-hit 2020 season.

The Swiss Open, as the tournament was originally known, was first staged in 1923, and this is its This is the 83rd staging. With views up to the Pleine Morte Glacier and across the mountain ranges and valley below the seventh tee, Crans-sur Sierre Golf Club is one of the highest golf courses on any of the top tours and the par 70, 6,824-yard golf course even converts into a ski resort during the winter months.

Some of golf’s finest have got their hands on the Omega European Masters trophy, including three-time winner Seve Ballesteros, and reigning US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick, who is the only player to defend his title after his success in 2017 and 2018.

Former world No. 1 Luke Donald triumphed in 2004 while former Ryder Cup captains Colin Montgomerie, José María Olazábal, Nick Faldo and Ian Woosnam also have their name etched on the trophy.

Thirsty greens @omegaEUmasters ? #OEM2022 pic.twitter.com/qbkTKTX8nI

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) August 23, 2022

Last year, Danish twin Hojgaard was the King of the Mountains thanks to a final-round 63 for his third DP World Tour crown at only 20 years old, and is now aiming to follow compatriot Thomas Bjorn as a two-time winner.

Play-offs are something of a regular feature in the Alps with six of the last eight editions of the Omega European Masters decided by extra holes.

Swede Sebastian Söderberg came out on top in a five-man play-off in 2019, holding off Rory McIlroy en route to win his first DP World Tour title. Fitzpatrick won both his European Masters via extra holes, and David Lipsky and Bjorn also prevailed in play-offs.

This time around Rasmus will have to contend with the likes of brother Nicolai — the 2022 Ras Al Khaimah champion — two-time DP World Tour winner this season Ewen Ferguson, his fellow Scot Robert MacIntyre, LIV Golf London runner-up Hennie Du Plessis, and Dubai-based Irish Open champ Adrian Meronk in the strong field.