Oliver Betschart vows to improve after Swiss Golf Open Championship

Colin Thompson

Created: Jun 10, 2024 02:04 PM (Updated: Jun 11, 2024 07:57 AM)

Oliver Betschart practising on the driving range at Golf Club Montreux in Geneva, Switzerland (Photograph supplied)

Oliver Beschart has expressed his desire to improve after competing at the Swiss Golf Open Championship in Geneva, Switzerland,.

The promising golfer finished tied for eighteenth among the amateurs and tied for 22nd overall among a formidable field, which included 18 professionals, in the 54-hole event, which was reduced to 72 hours as a result of inclement weather.

‘"I felt that I played quite well, but I had three double bogeys over the three days and I know that I have to improve on that,“ Betschart told The Royal Gazette.

“The course was tight so if you missed the fairways you were always scrambling.”

The 15-year-old carded an even-par 72 in the opening round, which he followed with a 75 that was good enough to make the 36-hole cut at three over.

Organisers attempted to complete the third and fourth rounds in one day but were forced to cancel the final round as a result of thunderstorms in the region and determined final rankings based on player’s score through 54 holes.

Oliver Betschart in action at the Swiss Golf Open Championship Montreuxs in Geneva, Switzerland at the weekend (Photograph supplied)

“It was supposed to be a four-round tournament, which meant we had to play two rounds the final day,” Betschart said.

“However, after seven holes into the fourth round the weather came in and they blew the horn and the organisers decided to cancel the final round and post the final scores off three rounds.

“I was a little disappointed because I was feeling good over the seven holes, playing consistent and shooting even par.

“The wind had already come up and I was hoping to move up the leaderboard, but I guess it wasn't meant to be.”

Professional Luca Galliano claimed the overall title at eight under while Yannick Beeli topped the amateur field at four under.

Bestchart has been playing in Europe of late, winning the Swiss Golf Junior Tour-Maison Blanche in France and finishing tied for fifteenth at the Championship du Leman in Switzerland last month.

“I am getting a lot of tournament play and just trying to get better,” Betschart said.

“Not just in junior tournaments but also playing new tournaments and courses, which is very challenging.”