Fitzpatrick couldn't keep up with the pressure, Aberg on top

The 76th edition of the Omega European Masters took place this week in Crans-Montana, much to the delight of spectators, sponsors and Ludvig Aberg, the competition's overall winner. 

Aberg at the top of his game on his first appearance at the Omega European Masters

Ludvig Aberg's enormous potential was well known, but his victory on his first appearance at the Omega European Masters in Crans-Montana was impressive.

After just one year as a professional player, the young Swedish prodigy demonstrated his immense potential by winning a DP World Tour tournament for the first time. 

He was in the running from Thursday onwards, and didn't give up until the last hole to snatch victory from the favorite, Matthew Fitzpatrick, who finally finished in 3rd place with a score of -16. Sweden's Alexander Bjork takes 2nd place with -17, while Connor Syme finishes 3rd tied.

Ludvig's victory testifies to his exceptional skills, which have enabled him to break into the world's top 100 at number 89. 

This performance sees him join Sebastian Soderberg (2019) and Alex Noren (2016) as the only two Swedish golfers to have already won the Omega European Masters. 

At the top of the leaderboard until hole 15, Matthew Fitzpatrick failed to match Severiano Ballesteros' record of victories here in Crans-Montana. Indeed, the Englishman was on course to win his 3rd Omega European Masters and thus equal the Spanish player who is the last to have achieved this feat.

A unique venue and a rich line-up of players: the winning combo of this edition

The line-up of players was very attractive this year, including world number 8 Matthew Fitzpatrick. It's a unique venue in the world for a golf tournament, and half the tickets were sold before the players were even announced, which shows that this is an exceptional tournament," says the man who has overseen the tournament for 36 years. The sun obviously plays a key role in the tournament's atmosphere. From Tuesday onwards, the weather was glorious, much to the delight of players and spectators alike. All in all, tens of thousands of spectators turned out for the 76th edition, a real success for the tournament organizers. Sponsorship was also a success, with all products sold out. Indeed, at a time when many tournaments are experiencing financial difficulties, the Omega European Masters is doing well, selling both spectator entry tickets and VIP offers. 

Ever more innovation, renovation and novelty

Investment is essential to ensure the tournament's future, and the organizers of the Omega European Masters are well aware of this. That's why the infrastructure continues to be improved and renovated year after year. On the course, holes 1, 4 and 5 have been resurfaced and will be refurbished in autumn 2022. This autumn, it's the turn of greens 10 and 17. Then holes 7 and 8, followed by 18. As tournament director Yves Mittaz points out: "And then we'll probably have to start all over again. That's the price we have to pay if we want to remain a benchmark event and offer a top-notch course. In addition to the course, welcoming the public is a priority for the Omega European Masters. To enhance the spectators' experience, two new areas have been dedicated to them along the course: off hole 1 and on green 5, and a new public restaurant, the Bishorn Lounge, now overlooks the village on 17.

With its reputation for breathtaking scenery and unrivalled hospitality, the Omega European Masters is a vital link both for the operation of Golf-Club Crans-sur-Sierre, which has hosted the tournament since 1939, and for the destination of Crans-Montana. The dates of next year's tournament are already written in red marker: August 5 to September 8, 2024.