Bernd Wiesberger has already lifted one of The European Tour’s most prestigious titles in 2015 when he won the Alstom Open de France in July, and the in-form Austrian is now targeting another famous crown this week, as the Porsche European Open returns to Race to Dubai after a six year absence.
The tournament was previously a fixture on The European Tour from 1978 until Wiesberger’s rookie campaign in 2009, and like the Alstom Open de France, it boasts a roll of honour that includes some of golf’s great names, such as Sandy Lyle, Greg Norman, Ian Woosnam, Sir Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie and Bernhard Langer, the German who joins him in the field at Golf Resort Bad Griesbach.
Having made the short journey over the German border from his home in Austria, Wiesberger is looking forward to being part of the event’s historic return.
“I can remember the European Open being part of our schedule when I first came on Tour, when Ross Fisher and Christian Cévaër won at the London Club,” said Wiesberger. “I was just coming through from the Challenge Tour.
“To get any event back on our schedule is great for The European Tour and great for the players, but especially when it is such a prestigious one like this. Each and every championship we have on The European Tour is big, but when you see a tournament like this with a history of so many great champions, it is extra special.
“It is also nice to have another event in Germany. It has been a while since the country hosted two events. It is a great golf resort too. I’ve heard a lot about this place. It is a big resort, with many courses, and it is a great part of the world for golf – not too hilly, but not too flat.
“There is a good variety of courses here, and the one we are playing is a good track. There is a nice mix of long and short holes, and I think it will be a good test this week.”
After a strong showing so far in 2015, registering five top ten finishes alongside his French victory, Wiesberger is in 30th position on the Official World Golf Ranking, and starts as one of the favourites in Germany.
The 29 year old took four weeks off after the US PGA Championship but made an impressive return to action in last week’s 72° OPEN D'ITALIA presented by DAMIANI, finishing tied 14th.
It was another tournament he felt he could have won, and the three-time European Tour champion is excited about his prospects of adding another title to his win at Le Golf National two months ago.
“The win in France was big for me,” he said. “It was good for the ego to pull off a win after a couple of close calls in good tournaments. I had a good four week break after the US PGA Championship and played really well last week, but I threw away my chances of winning in the final round.
“I felt I could have won that one but I missed so many putts from inside ten feet on Sunday. That was really disappointing. The long game was in great shape, but the putter killed my chances. It was frustrating missing so many chances down the stretch, but I’ve been working hard on my putting and I’m feeling really good about my game.”
