A Swiss managed a very good first round at the European Masters in Crans-Montana. The Thurgovian Joel Girrbach (29 years old) managed a card of 67 shots, which allows him to share the 19th provisional rank at 5 lengths from the leaders.
Girrbach had never shone so far in the Valais resort. In 5 participations between 2012 and 2019, he had each time missed the cut at the end of the 2nd round. He can this time consider playing until Sunday.
Things went less well for the current top Swiss professional, Jeremy Freiburghaus. The Grison had to settle for a 71 which will force him to a feat on Friday to cross the cut.
Canizares and Lawrence in the lead
Spaniard Alejandro Canizares and South African Thriston Lawrence lead the way. Both returned a card of 62, or 8 strokes under par. Defending champion, the Dane Rasmus Höjgaard is in ambush at 3 lengths. Note that the Canadian Aaron Cockerill managed a splendid hole-in-one at No. 3.
ats/btro