Fitzpatrick T6 After Fog-Delayed Start at Omega European Masters in Swiss Alps
When the fog rolled in over the Swiss Alps on Thursday morning, it didn’t just obscure the fairways—it halted the Omega European Masters in its tracks. Play at the Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club in Crans Montana, Valais, was suspended for nearly 90 minutes just after 10:15 AM CEST, leaving golfers stranded on the course and fans holding their breath. By the time visibility improved, the day had already slipped away. Only 24 of the 156-player field finished their first rounds before darkness fell at 8:42 PM, when the lights on the 18th hole became visible from the 10th tee—a hard rule the DP World Tour enforces without exception. Among those left hanging was Matt Fitzpatrick, the 29-year-old Englishman who just birdied his 15th hole—his sixth of the day—to reach 3-under and tie for sixth. The klaxons sounded moments later. He didn’t even get to see his next shot.
Leading the Charge Amid the Mist
While Fitzpatrick waited, others seized the fleeting window of clear air. Richard Mansell, 31, of England, carded a blistering 6-under 65 with six birdies, setting the clubhouse lead. Moments later, Ivan Cantero, 24, of Spain, matched it, turning in the same score with equal precision. The Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club, perched at 1,500 meters above sea level, is notorious for its thin air and unpredictable weather. Its 6,814-yard layout plays to a par of 70, yet the scoring average of 68.69 suggests it’s playing easier than its numbers imply—especially after the fog lifted. That’s no accident. The course, designed to challenge precision over power, rewards players who can read the mountain winds and control their ball flight. Mansell and Cantero did exactly that.Fitzpatrick’s Ryder Cup Shadow
Fitzpatrick isn’t just here to win a trophy. He’s here to prove he belongs on the 2024 Ryder Cup team. Captain Luke Donald is expected to announce his final three captain’s picks on Monday, August 26, and Fitzpatrick’s recent form is impossible to ignore. He finished T5 at the Genesis Scottish Open and T7 at the 2024 Open Championship. His game is sharp, his putting steady, and his temperament—especially under pressure—is elite. The irony? He’s playing the same course where he lost to Danny Willett in a playoff back in 2015. Now, Willett, 36, sits tied for sixth with Fitzpatrick at 3-under, having just missed a birdie putt on the 18th when play was halted. The rivalry isn’t just historical—it’s alive, and it’s personal.The Rest of the Field: A Mountain of Momentum
Behind them, the leaderboard is tight. Guido Migliozzi, 27, of Italy, completed a 66 and sits tied for third. Richard Sterne, 42, from South Africa, and local favorite Ronan Kleu, 25, were both at the 13th hole when play stopped, still in contention. Six players, including Fitzpatrick and Willett, are tied at 3-under. Oliver Lindell (Finland), Keita Nakajima (Japan), Matthew Baldwin (England), and Brandon Stone (South Africa) all finished with 67s or were close behind. The DP World Tour’s official leaderboard, though slightly delayed in updating, confirmed Fitzpatrick’s position at T6. The prize fund? A hefty €2.5 million—with €430,000 going to the winner. That kind of money turns every birdie into a statement.
What Happens Now? The Rules of the Mountain
Friday morning brings a new challenge: finishing what Thursday couldn’t. The Omega European Masters will resume at 7:50 AM local time, with all incomplete first rounds picking up where they left off. The tournament’s structure is already shifting. Round 3 will start normally, but Round 4? It’s a two-tee start—U draw—meaning players will begin on both the first and 10th tees, no earlier than 10:30 AM. Why? To ensure play finishes before the Alps’ evening fog returns. It’s a logistical dance, one that only happens here. The course doesn’t just test skill—it tests patience. And timing.A Legacy in the Mist
The Omega European Masters dates back to 1939, making it one of the DP World Tour’s oldest and most respected events. It’s not just a tournament; it’s a tradition. Players come here not just for the money, but for the history. The mountain air, the steep slopes, the sudden weather shifts—they’re part of the test. Fitzpatrick knows this. He’s won six times on this tour, including the 2017 DP World Tour Championship. But this week? It’s different. The Ryder Cup looms. The eyes of Europe are watching. And the fog? It doesn’t care who you are. It just waits.Frequently Asked Questions
Why was play suspended at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club?
Play was suspended twice: first at 10:15 AM CEST due to dense fog reducing visibility below 100 meters, and again at 8:42 PM CEST when the lights on the 18th hole became visible from the 10th tee—a DP World Tour safety rule. The course’s high elevation (1,500 meters) makes it prone to rapid weather changes, especially in late summer.
How many players completed their first round?
Only 24 of the 156-player field finished all 18 holes on Thursday. The rest, including top contenders like Matt Fitzpatrick and Danny Willett, will resume their rounds Friday morning. The fog and darkness made it nearly impossible for afternoon groups to finish, despite the course’s long daylight hours in August.
What’s the significance of Fitzpatrick’s performance for the Ryder Cup?
Fitzpatrick is a strong candidate for Luke Donald’s final captain’s pick, announced on August 26. His recent T5 and T7 finishes at the Scottish Open and Open Championship show consistent high-level play. A strong finish here—especially against rivals like Willett—could be the deciding factor in securing his spot on Team Europe.
Why is the Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club so challenging?
At 1,500 meters above sea level, the thin air reduces ball flight by up to 10%, making distance control critical. The course measures 6,814 yards but plays longer due to elevation changes, narrow fairways, and fast, undulating greens. Its scoring average of 68.69 shows it’s playable—but only for those who master the mountain conditions.
Who are the leaders after Round 1?
Richard Mansell (England) and Ivan Cantero (Spain) lead at 5-under 65, the only two players to break 66. Guido Migliozzi, Richard Sterne, and Ronan Kleu are tied for third at 4-under, while Fitzpatrick, Willett, and four others sit at 3-under, all still in contention despite incomplete rounds.
What’s the schedule for the rest of the tournament?
Round 1 resumes Friday at 7:50 AM local time. Round 2 will follow normally. Round 3 starts at 7:50 AM Saturday, and Round 4 begins no earlier than 10:30 AM with a two-tee start (U draw) to ensure play finishes before dusk. The DP World Tour is prioritizing completion over tradition, adapting to the Alps’ unpredictable weather.
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