Swiss Challenge: In numbers

The Swiss Challenge presented by Association Suisse de Golf celebrates its 15^thanniversary this week as the European Challenge Tour returns to Lucerne, Switzerland. Here, we take a look at the best statistics from the Swiss event.

9- the number of years between wins by a Swiss player on the Challenge Tour. When Joel Girrbach won on home soil last year, he became the first golfer from Switzerland to win on Europe’s top developmental tour since André Bossert won the 2008 MAN NÖ Open.

21-the number of birdies Girrbach added to his pair of eagles on route to a two-shot victory at the 2017 Swiss Challenge presented by ASG.

601-after his win last year, Girrbach moved up this number of places on the Official World Golf Ranking, going from 1043^rdto 442^ndin one week.

0.28- the number of strokes over par the 453-yard par four 11^thaveraged last year, making it the most difficult hole.

624- the length, in yards, of the beastly par five seventh, which is the only hole longer than 600 yards. Even the very biggest hitters will be hard-pressed to reach the green in two shots.

3.81-the scoring average of the easiest hole at the 2017 Swiss Challenge presented by ASG, which was the 390-yard par four 14^th.

25-the current World Ranking of Rafa Cabrera Bello — the highest among all former Swiss Challenge champions. The Spaniard won the 2008 edition at Wylihof Golf Club.

25- under par. That was the winning score for Cabrera Bello who needed only 267 strokes to record the lowest four round total in the tournament’s history.

13-the number of golfers who have won the Swiss Challenge presented by ASG. England’s Peter Baker can claim the distinction of being the only player to have won the event multiple times — lifting the trophy in 2007 and 2009.

3- the Swiss Challenge presented by ASG has had three homes in its 14-year history. The first two editions were played at Patriziale Golf Club before the event moved to Wylihof GC after a five-year hiatus. The tournament then found its current home in Golf Sempachersee, where it has been held every year since 2010.