Switzerland’s Mathias Eggenberger admitted that the golfing education garnered from living in Scotland has been a huge boost for his game after the young amateur provided one of the stories of the Swiss Challenge presented by Association Suisse de Golf by moving into contention on day two.
The 22 carded a second consecutive three under par round of 68 at the stunning Golf Sempachersee to move to six under par, the best score of the opening two days by a home-grown player.
The man from Grabs in the east of Switzerland represented his home country in the European Amateur Team Championships at European Tour Course Linna Golf, and returned this week to play just the fourth Challenge Tour event of his career.
On home soil, the promising amateur sparkled as he carded five birdies on the way to a three under par round which moved him to within a shot of the lead midway through the second day.
Eggenberger is currently studying in Scotland and believes that the experience of living and playing in the ‘Home of Golf’ has been a big factor in the improvement of his all-round game.
“The last two days have been really nice and I've really enjoyed it,” said Eggenberger. “I'm just trying to keep it simple; hitting fairways and greens and that’s all you need to do.
“I made a few putts and just kept it shot-by-shot. I think the biggest thing is not to get ahead of myself, especially being here in Switzerland, people begin to start talking. I can’t think too far ahead and play every round as it is and see where I am in the end.
“I played the Czech Challenge a month ago and missed the cut by one so I knew what to expect this week. I don’t care what anybody else does out there, you’re on your own out on a golf course and that’s all that matters.
“It’s really nice here, especially when the weather is so good. I'm enjoying it and that’s what you need to do on a golf course, as long as you do that you’ll play well.
“I'm studying in Sterling, doing Business and Marketing. I'm not in Switzerland a lot, this year I'm playing just two tournaments there but I'm in Scotland mostly and doing other amateur tournaments.
“It’s always fun to play links courses, it’s something different. It’s been a great education for me over there, for sure.
“The golf shots you play you could never learn anywhere else in Europe. You might have 20 yards to the green but you’ll take out a putter. You have to think a bit more and be creative.
“The game is there for me this week and you have to enjoy it while it’s there because you never know in this game when it’s going to swing around, it can do that very quickly sometimes. I'm just going to enjoy the weekend and we’ll see how I do.”
Eggenberger is dreaming of making a career out of golf but is in no rush to join the paid ranks, as he continues to study in University. But he was coy at the suggestion that those plans may change with a victory this week.
“Of course I want to turn professional and let’s hope I can do that,” he said. “But I have another two years left of University and I’m not in a hurry. I'm going to stay amateur next year and maybe play The European Tour Qualifying School at the end of 2015.
“There’s still a long way to go and a lot of golf to play but I'm not thinking about
