Having claimed his debut Challenge Tour title in unusual and dramatic fashion in last year’s Swiss Challenge presented by Association Suisse de Golf, Pierre Relecom will be sticking to the same routine when he returns to Lucerne to defend his title this week.
The big-hitting Belgian was making his comeback after injury at Golf Sempachersee 12 months ago, having been side-lined for the previous four weeks with a torn Achilles.
As a precaution, Relecom had been advised to keep any practice to an absolute minimum, and so spent much of the week enjoying the company of his friends on Lake Lucerne.
Signs of rust were evident in an opening round of 70, but he never looked back after a stunning 63 on day two which launched him firmly into contention.
A steady round of 68 on day three was the prelude to an enthralling final round in which he took charge of proceedings after holing his approach shot to the 14th.
He recalled: “Because of my injury, I went into the week with zero expectations. I was staying with some friends, so we spent a lot of time on their boat out on the lake, having fun and eating in nice restaurants. Then the next day, I’d just hit a few putts on the practice green and go out to play. It obviously worked out pretty well!
“Even though I only shot one under on the first day I hit the ball really well, then on the second day the putts started to drop and I shot a 63. I think only missed four or five greens in regulation for the whole week, which goes to show how well I played from tee to green.
“When I holed the wedge shot on the 14th I went three shots ahead, and I didn’t play the last few holes badly but the adrenaline was really pumping, so I kept flying the green.But luckily I managed to win it by one, so it felt great to finish it off.
“I’m looking forward to going back, obviously there will be a few more expectations than last year, but I’m ready for that. I’ll be able to practice more this time, but other than that I’ll try to keep the routine exactly the same. I’ll be staying with the same friends again, so if the weather’s good I’m sure we’ll be out on the boat again. When I won last year my friend gave me an Omega watch, and he said he’s got another prize in mind for me this year if I win again so I’m excited to see what it is!”
French-speaking players have dominated this tournament in recent years, with Benjamin Hebert (2011), Gary Stal (2012) and Victor Riu (2013) – who is bidding for a repeat victory this week – preceding Relecom as winners of the €170,000 event.
European Tour champion Jean-François Lucquin will hope to continue that trend, whilst Swiss hopes rest largely on the shoulders of Julien Clement, who has two top ten finishes in the tournament, and Raphaël de Sousa.
Quintarelli will return to Lucerne hoping to avenge his near miss 12 months ago, whilst Scot George Murray and Welshman Rhys Davies – who recently returned to the winners’ enclosure – will also have fond memories of Golf Sempachersee, having finished in a tie for third last year.
