A shortened but successful first stop of the Swiss PGA Tour
16.07.2021
The Swiss PGA Tour visited Golfclub Markgräflerland again this year for its first event. On this occasion, 38 Swiss PGA players competed on the 18-hole, 5931-metre course. In the first round, Gregori Baumann commenced well with a birdie. He followed with four more during the day only to drop a shot at the final hole. Chasing 4 under par, James Johnson made one more birdie than Baumann, but also having taken 4 bogeys he had to settled for 2nd place with 70 (-2). Two other players, Alex Messiqua and Jean-Luc Burnier, finished their first round tied for third place on 71. Philippe Weppernig, winner of the Markgräflerland event last year, had a slow start with a bogey, but the title holder then proved very consistent, managing two birdies to finish with 72 points, tied for 5th place.
In the Senior category, Franco Li Puma's experience worked wonders as he managed to make 7 birdies and only one bogey, which gave him the best score of the day, 66 (-6). Lloyd Freeman was the only other senior player to break par after the first round with 70, comprisingan eagle, 2 birdies and 2 bogeys.
With the results of the first round being so close, especially in the men's category, the outcome of the tournament was still very uncertain before the start of the second round. Unfortunately, very bad weather conditions saw the second round cancelled.
After having had the chance to play on the very well prepared and tactical course of the Golfclub Markgräflerland, the Swiss PGA players will meet again in Leuk for the second tournament of the Swiss PGA Tour on July 26 and 27.
Photo: (left to right) Franco Li Puma & Gregori Baumann, Swiss PGA Tour 2021, GC Markgräflerland
