Aug 29, 2019: World Number Two Rory McIlroy has had many incredible highs in his stellar career but if he could take one tournament back, it would be the Omega European Masters of 11 years ago.
The Northern Irishman was playing his rookie European Tour season and while he had put in some excellent performances, the then 19-year-old had yet to claim that maiden win.
After three days at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club he held a four shot lead and while that had been narrowed on Sunday, he stood over a five foot par putt on the last that would have seen him lift the trophy. The putt slid by and Frenchman Jeff Lucquin went on to win the play-off and his only European Tour title.
“I had a wonderful opportunity to win my first event on Tour here. I was leading going into the last day, had a one-shot lead playing the last and wasn’t able to make par from there. Was beaten in the play-off. It’s still to this day the one event that I think of that I would like to re-do – get a mulligan.
“The first time I was here I fell in love with the place, the people, the atmosphere. I’m glad that it worked out this year that I could be here. I would like to give myself another chance at least.
“I think Brooks (Koepka) has got about a three-point lead on me. I don’t know if that’s attainable with the tournaments I have left. I saw somewhere that there are more world ranking points on offer here than there have been for eight years.
“Wentworth is obviously big for world ranking points. There’s a WGC coming up. There’s still a lot to play for. That’s my focus for the rest of the year, getting closer to that number one spot.”
The four-time Major winner and Ryder Cup star has gone on to savour some sensational moments over the years, and after the high of last week, his next target is to reclaim the World Number One spot, starting with a positive performance in Crans Montana.
Matthew Fitzpatrick is driven by two targets of his own as he goes in search of a third consecutive win at the Omega European Masters. The Englishman is aiming to become the first player to win the title three years in a row and match the great Seve Ballesteros as a three time winner of this event.
Another victory at the breathtaking Swiss venue would also ensure that the five-time European Tour winner has been victorious in every full season he has been on Tour, and in what could be a good omen, he has Ballesteros’ former caddie Billy Foster on his bag.
The stellar field also includes a man who is hoping home comforts can inspire him to a second victory in the mountains.
Sergio Garcia lifted the trophy in 2005 and has never finished outside of the top 20 in five appearances. The Spanish Major winner is so taken with the stunning surroundings that he owns a house just 100 metres from the Ballesteros-designed golf course, where he has spent the last week with wife Angela and daughter Azalea.
European Tour Release
