Jordan Smith’s frustration with the difficult course setup at the Omega European Masters in Switzerland was evident on Saturday. Despite initially being within one shot of the lead, Smith struggled on the back nine, resulting in a third-round score of seven over par. After the round, Smith took to social media to express his displeasure with the course conditions, particularly the pin placements and the speed of the greens, which he felt were too difficult given the windy conditions. This led to a higher field scoring average in the third round compared to the first two rounds.
Matt Wallace, the leader after the third round, also acknowledged the challenges of the course setup, describing it as brutal and extremely difficult. While Wallace maintained his lead, he recognized that it was more about surviving the conditions rather than shooting under par. Despite his frustration with his three-over-par round, Wallace felt he had managed to maintain his lead and was satisfied with his overall performance, securing his fifth DP World Tour victory.
Golf Channel analyst Jim Gallagher, Jr. supported Smith’s complaints, particularly highlighting the difficulty of the 12th hole and the questionable placement of some pins on the course. Gallagher emphasized that the combination of fast greens and strong winds could lead to challenging and borderline unfair playing conditions, which was evident in the high scores seen during the third round. Smith ultimately finished T12 in the tournament, trailing Wallace’s winning score by six shots.
The final round saw Smith bounce back with a 67, finishing at five under overall. Despite his strong performance in the last round, it was not enough to catch up to Wallace, who secured his first DP World Tour win in six years by defeating Alfredo Garcia-Heredia in a playoff. Smith’s frustrations with the course setup raised questions about the fairness and difficulty of playing conditions in professional golf tournaments, particularly when factors like wind and green speed come into play.
Overall, the Omega European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club presented a challenging test for the players, with many struggling to navigate the difficult conditions. While Smith’s complaints sparked a discussion about course setup and fairness, the ultimate winner, Matt Wallace, demonstrated his ability to manage the challenges and secure victory. The tournament showcased the resilience and skill of the players in overcoming adversity on the course, highlighting the mental and physical demands of professional golf at the highest level.
