Marc Hammer won the fifth edition of the Euram Bank Open, the only Austrian event in the Challenge Tour which took place in Ramsau, on the course of the GC Adamstal (par 70). The German won with a total of 270 (68 70 66 66, -10) shots ahead of Frenchman Pierre Pineau, second with 272 (-8).
Excellent performance by Jacopo Vecchi Fossa, the best among the eight Italians in the race, who finished in 9th position with 275 (70 66 72 67, -5). For the 28-year-old from Emilia, who celebrated his birthday on July 14, this is the second top ten of the season after 7th place at the SDC Open.
Marc Hammer, results
Edoardo Raffaele Lipparelli finished 28 / o with 279 (68 70 68 73, -1), Lorenzo Scalise 37 / o with 280 (67 71 73 69, par), Filippo Bergamaschi 44 / o with 281 (72 66 75 68, + 1 ) and Federico Maccario 50 / o with 282 (71 69 72 70, +2).
While Aron Zemmer, 67 / o with 141 (71 70, +1), Enrico Di Nitto, 95 / o with 144 (74 70, +4) and Andrea Romano, 109 / o with 145 (78 67) did not pass the cut. , +5). Thanks to this success, the first in his career on the Challenge Tour, Marc Hammer cashed a check for 40,000 euros on a total prize money of 250,000, succeeding in the roll of honor the Welsh Stuart Manley, winner in 2021 but who this year is not went over 95 / o place with 144 (+4).
The Challenge Tour was the result of a collaboration between the French, Italian and Swedish PGA, opening their tournaments to foreign participants from 1986 onwards. The German PGA also participated from 1988. The Satellite Tour PTC Sub Committee was established and a ranking was established.
In 1989 the Challenge Tour was started under the name Satellite Tour. The Challenge Tour allows players to gain experience and qualify to participate in the European PGA Tour, which is the highest level in Europe. During the first season there were 26 tournaments: 5 in Spain, 13 in Sweden, 4 in Switzerland and 4 in Italy.
Belgium organized a Pro-Am in Brussels and the Netherlands did not participate yet. Neil Briggs won the first tournament, the Tessali Open, and the Order of Merit in 1989. The current name was introduced at the beginning of the 1990 season.
In 2009, the 20th season, the season started in Colombia, Kenya and Morocco, followed by 22 tournaments: 4 in France, 3 in Italy, 1 in Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Scotland, Spain, Wales, Sweden and 2 in Switzerland.
The number of tournaments had therefore not increased, but the geographical spread had. Edoardo Molinari won the Order of Merit with a record €242,979 in prize money. In 2013, the 25th anniversary was commemorated. Brooks Koepka won three tournaments and was promoted to the European Tour in June.