The opening round of the Omega European Masters–deep in the Swiss Alps at Crans‑sur‑Sierre Golf Club–unfolded like a scene from a horror flick. A thick, movie‑quality fog rolled over the course early Thursday, turning fairways into ghostly mazes and putting visibility in serious jeopardy. The DP World Tour was forced to halt play indefinitely after only a handful of players managed to complete a few holes.
As the mist refused to clear, tournament officials finally suspended action well before the afternoon. Even when play resumed around 3 p.m. local time, the suspension didn’t last long; players were again forced to retreat as the fog moved back in.
Leaders Through the Mist
When visibility finally improved later in the day, only about eight groups had managed to finish all 18 holes before darkness fell. Due to the delays, the rest of the field couldn’t complete their rounds.
At the top of the leaderboard are Richard Mansell and Ivan Cantero, both posting impressive opening rounds of 65 (-5). Mansell bounced back from an early bogey with six birdies, while Cantero dazzled with an eagle and four birdies.
Hot on their heels are home favorite Ronan Kleu (-5) and Matthew Baldwin (-5). Two‑time champion Matt Fitzpatrick, still with three holes to finish, lurks at -4.
Golf in the Swiss Alps is almost always romantic–mountain views, fresh air, and lush fairways, but Thursday’s conditions turned that majesty into perilous ambiguity.
Players compared setting up their shots to peeking through a bowl of pea soup rather than a crisp alpine sky. With tee sheets out of sync and a backlog piling up, Friday promises to be marathon. Some will play their first holes of the tournament as others are finishing theirs.
Who to Watch as Play Resumes
While the fog stole the spotlight on Thursday, several names are positioned to make noise once the skies clear.
Richard Mansell: The Englishman turned in a sharp 65 before conditions worsened. He’s been on the verge of a breakthrough on the DP World Tour and could use this momentum to push for his first big win. If he keeps the putter hot, he’ll be tough to chase down.
Ivan Cantero: Matching Mansell, the Spaniard impressed with an eagle and steady play. He hasn’t been a household name, but the Omega European Masters has a history of producing surprise contenders, and Cantero fits that bill.
Matt Fitzpatrick: The two-time champion loves this course, and even unfinished, he sits just two strokes back. Fitzpatrick’s ability to stay patient through delays could be the X-factor as the field battles both the course and the clock.
Ronan Kleu: A Swiss amateur who’s already making headlines, Kleu sits at four under with holes still to play. A strong Friday would turn him into the local hero of the week, a story that would energize the home crowd.
Richard Sterne: The South African veteran has quietly played himself into contention. With experience on his side, Sterne knows how to manage the chaos of weather delays–a trait that could give him a steady edge heading into the weekend.
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