The Interwetten Open has almost caught up after Thursday’s long suspension due to a thunderstorm, so today, at the time of the suspension due to lack of light at the Schladming Dachstein Golf Club (Oberhaus, Austria), only three players remained on the course who will finish tomorrow, Saturday, starting at eight in the morning.
In any case, the hottest area of the leaderboard will not see any changes, with local player Maximilian Steinlechner (-13) leading alone after carding a 61 today on this peculiar par 69 course, with six par 3s. Peculiar and short, to say the least, as it doesn’t even reach 5,900 metres, absolutely outdated measurements in today’s times, especially considering that this charming course is situated more than 700 metres above sea level. Be that as it may, as the saying goes: birdies are not given away, and the average scores are not particularly outrageous. In fact, Thursday’s leader, American Palmer Jackson (-7), played over par today.
Watch out for the young Austrian Steinlechner, as he has already shown up here and there this year and is ranked 18th in the Road to Mallorca; let’s not think he’s shining just because he feels comfortable playing in his country.
The leader has gained some advantage (he will start tomorrow with a two-shot lead over his closest pursuers, Italian Celli and South African Ritchie), but Quim Vidal (-9) is currently among the clear candidates to fight for victory over the weekend after posting a 66 today. The Spanish player is looking, let’s say, for the third big boost of the season, after his victory in India in March and the seventh place a month ago at the Challenge de Cadiz. The Hotel Planner Tour does not allow too many naps. Not even a win guarantees you a DP World Tour card at the end of the season unless it’s well complemented with a good handful of notable results.
Just ask Javier Sainz (-8), who is also in the fight after carding a 66 today and who, in 2022, after winning a tournament on this circuit, could not finish among the top twenty and secure his playing rights in the first division. The Basque has only one bogey in 36 holes and now just needs to push a bit more on the greens.
Rocco Repetto (-5), for his part, stalled a bit today with a round at par, but he has room to come back and continue adding to the ranking. Adri Arnaus (-5) and Santi Tarrio (-4) also made the cut, while Víctor Pastor (-3), Lucas Vacarisas (-3), Sebas García (-1), and Albert Boneta (PAR) missed out.
