Ahead of the Lyoness Open powered by Sporthilfe Cashback Card, europeantour.com gives you everything you need to know about the tournament in this quick-fire guide.
REWIND
Twelve months ago, Chris Wood produced a flawless display on the final day to claim his second European Tour title in the Lyoness Open at Diamond Country Club.
The Englishman, who started the day five shots off Grégory Bourdy’s lead, carded an immaculate round of 67 to secure his first title since winning the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in 2013. Supremely accurate from the tee and clinical with the putter, Wood collected five birdies to finish on 15 under par, two shots clear of Spaniard Rafa Cabrera Bello.
BITE-SIZED HISTORY
The Lyoness Open – then called the Austrian Open – was first played in 1990, when Bernhard Langer beat Lanny Wadkins in a play-off to claim the 23rd title of a European Tour career which eventually yielded 42 victories.
After Paul McGinley took the title in 1996, the tournament disappeared for a decade but resurfaced on the European Tour in spectacular fashion at Fontana Golf Club in 2006, as Marcus Brier secured an emotional home victory. Six years later, Bernd Wiesberger became the second Austrian to lift the trophy, and in 2014 he came mightily close to winning his home Open for a second time, only to be denied by Mikael Lundberg in a play-off.
THE FIELD
Fresh from his superb victory in the BMW PGA Championship, Chris Wood will return to defend his Lyoness Open powered by Sporthilfe Cashback Card title in confident mood. The Englishman climbed to 22nd in the Official World Golf Ranking after securing a magnificent home triumph – his first trophy since winning by two shots at Diamond Country Club last year.
If he is to become the first player to successfully defend the Lyoness Open title, Wood will have to overcome a field which includes the home favourite, and 2012 champion, Bernd Wiesberger. Wood and Wiesberger are two of eight players who will be heading to Oakmont Country Club for next week’s US Open. Joining them on the journey from Austria to the USA will be Matt Baldwin, Grégory Bourdy, Søren Hansen, Lee Slattery, Mikael Lundberg and Gary Stal.
Ireland’s Peter Lawrie will also be making his 400th appearance on the European Tour this week.
THE COURSE
A European Tour Destination, Diamond Country Club is situated in the picturesque lower Austrian countryside, and within easy reach of Vienna. The 6,760 metres Diamond Course was designed by renowned English architect Jeremy Pern, with Ryder Cup star Miguel Ángel Jiménez having since remodelled a number of the holes, in particular the signature par four eighth.
Offering both a scenic and challenging test of golf, no fewer than eight of the last 12 holes feature water hazards which threaten both tee and approach shots. The course has hosted the tournament since 2010, and the onsite hotel opened last year offering modern and spacious accommodation.
THE KEY STATS
• In 2009, Rafa Cabrera Bello became only the third player in history to shoot 60 on the final day and win a European Tour title. He followed Ian Woosnam (1990 Monte Carlo Open) and Jamie Spence (1992 European Masters).
• In 2008, Jeev Milkha Singh became only the second player in history to win a European Tour event after carding 18 consecutive pars in the last round. Sir Nick Faldo was the first, achieving the feat in The 1987 Open Championship at Muirfield en route to claiming the first of his six Majors.
• In 2012, thanks to his glorious home victory in this tournament, Bernd Wiesberger became the first Austrian to record multiple victories in the same European Tour season, following his maiden triumph in the Ballantine’s Championship earlier in the year.
• Wiesberger has played in his home Open on 11 occasions (both when the tournament was part of the European Tour and the Challenge Tour). Other than his win in 2012, he has also finished second in 2014, tied fourth as an amateur in 2004, and tied fifth in 2011.
• Max Kramer made European Tour history in the 2006 edition by becoming the first amateur to record an albatross, achieving the feat at Fontana’s ninth hole in round one, using a six-iron from 180 yards.
