World No 8 Matt Fitzpatrick returns to the Omega European Masters for the first time since 2019, as he aims to match the legendary Seve Ballesteros as a three-time winner of the historic event.
Fitzpatrick has become a Major winner – claiming the U.S. Open in 2022 – since his back-to-back victories at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club in 2017 and 2018, and he credits those wins with propelling forward his career.
The Englishman has an added incentive to match his past success as qualification for the European Ryder Cup team comes to a close in Switzerland, where a tied seventh place finish or better would see him overtake countryman Tommy Fleetwood to claim the final automatic qualification spot on the World Points List, to make his third appearance in the biennial contest.
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Defending champion Thriston Lawrence – who triumphed on his debut last season – also has history in mind at one of the oldest events on the DP World Tour schedule. The South African would join Ballesteros and Fitzpatrick as the only players to win the Omega European Masters title in back-to-back seasons if he were to claim his fifth DP World Tour title this week.
The 2022 Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year has followed up his stellar debut career on the DP World Tour by winning twice in the 2023 campaign, joining Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal as the only two players to have won multiple events in the past two seasons.
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Victor Perez is looking to build on a tied 11th finish in Prague last week, as he aims to reclaim the form that saw him win the opening event of the season in Abu Dhabi. The Frenchman has an added incentive as one of six players – alongside Robert MacIntyre, Yannik Paul, Adrian Meronk, Rasmus Højgaard and Adrian Otaegui – who could seal a debut Ryder Cup appearance next month by claiming the final automatic spot on the European Points List.
Meanwhile Ludvig Aberg is looking to continue the impressive start to his professional career as he makes his debut in the mountains. The young Swede impressed on his first professional start on the DP World Tour with a tied fourth finish last week, after a string of positive performances on the PGA TOUR.
Player quotes
Matt Fitzpatrick: It’s crazy to think how long ago they are now (wins in 2017 and 2018), for me, I feel like there’s a lot in there (to remember). Both playoffs, holed a good putt to make the playoff, holed a good putt to win the playoff. I just really enjoy being here more than anything and I think that’s what helps me play better and definitely don’t feel stressed.
I think the wins definitely propelled me. They gave me confidence to be better, to play better out here and I think that was a big thing for me. Getting used to this level and getting used to playing with people week in, week out, understanding how their game is compared to mine and where I might need to improve. Those wins at that stage of my career were very, very important.
I can make sure that I’m on that (Ryder Cup) team with a good result this week and that’s what I’ll be focused on. There’s no doubt about that. Fortunately, it’s a place that I’ve played well before, so it’s nice to be here.
It would be so good. That’s always a goal at the start of the year when it’s a Ryder Cup year. You want to be on that team wherever they’re playing and you want to be part of it. Hopefully can do that this week.
I feel like (the game) it’s getting to where I want it to be. I think it’s a great place to test where I’m at. It’s a good golf course for me. I feel like it tests a lot of attributes of people’s games. Looking forward to getting under way.
Thriston Lawrence: I’ve been watching this tournament since I’ve grown up and always wanted to come visit the mountains here. Then to win it on my first try was unbelievable and hopefully I can do the same this week.
I think it’s a bit different to other events. I’m used to the altitude, that helps. Gave me a little bit more confidence, knowing how far the ball travels. But yeah, definitely just waking up and seeing this incredible view just makes you want to smile every time.
The big thing (last year) was that I enjoyed it. It didn’t always look like it, but just enjoyed it, I think I stayed very calm. Just looking at the views just made you realise that there’s a lot of bigger things than just golf. Made me sort of forget about the stupid mistakes and just focus on being happy.
It’s incredible, you see all those names (of previous winners), a lot of South Africans. So it gives us hope and I think this is probably the most special event on this schedule.
Victor Perez: It’s obviously an iconic venue. It’s not a course that I’ve had the most success on unfortunately, but it’s definitely always a nice spot on the schedule. It’s an iconic course. They’ve remodelled a few holes, which I think make it even better. I think it’s getting better every year. Looking forward to a good week in the in the cold.
I felt better last week. I’ve had a decent week. I was quite happy with the result. When the scoring gets quite low like this, usually the scores get really bunched, it was quite hard to create separation. So, it comes down to little details here and there to turn a top five into a 25th and I ended up kind of in the middle of that.
Obviously (the Ryder Cup) has been a dream and it’s a goal since the start of the year, so it’s definitely a focus. But I think the experience from two years ago and with two more years of qualifying, I’ve kind of been in that loop for a bit of time now and I know a little bit more how to handle it.
And I think learning that was a big learning process along the way. It’s not easy and I’m not going to have mastered it, but I would say it’s better than the time before, so I’m looking forward to the week.
Ludvig Aberg: It’s really pretty. Yesterday we played nine and I got out on number 7 and it kind of hit me. These views are pretty incredible and it’s pretty cool that they built a golf course on this property to be honest. Try to enjoy it as much as I can and play some good golf.
Actually where I went to school in Texas, we’re at 3000 feet, so it’s not as severe as here, but a little bit. It’s a bit of an adjustment I would say, but most of all with the temperature changes throughout the day that’s affecting the ball.
It’s been fun (transition from amateur to professional). It’s been something that I’ve been wanting to do for such a long time, and now that I’ve taken that step, I have to pinch myself in the arm every now and then to realise how fortunate I am. Trying to enjoy it as much as I can and play some good golf.
Obviously all those (Ryder Cup) conversations are very flattering. I wouldn’t expect myself to be in that position this early on, to be honest. But all I can do is try to prepare for every tournament the best I can. And then once I’m on the golf course, I just try to have fun and hit as few shots as I can. And then it’s up to up to the captains and the vice captains and see what they want to do.
