June was the month of the Swiss Open Championship and Individual European Amateur Championship. Following a week of thunderstorms, Golf Club du Bâle got ready to host the Swiss Open Championship, a 72-hole event with a field made up of both professionals and amateurs. With soft conditions in the morning I started with a bogey-free 68 or four under par. On the second day I went another sixteen holes without recording a bogey, however unfortunately had to card two coming in and sign for a 71. On the final day I was three strokes back, and knew I had to chase down Swiss National teammate Loïc Ettlin. I closed the gap by one with a 2-under 70 in the morning and started very strongly into the second 18 holes, briefly even taking the lead after 59 holes, however a lost ball of mine on 10 and some untimely missed putts shifted the momentum and I struggled to a 72, ending on a high note with a birdie however. I finished the tournament 7-under in third place with a slightly disappointing finish, yet with a third podium in a row after Egypt, which was nice. This finish also meant me securing my highest ranking in the World Amateur Golf Ranking to date, namely 250 and currently the best in Switzerland.
One week later the Swiss National Team flew to Bordeaux to play in the prestigious European Individual Amateur Championship, the largest strokeplay event in the world, at the Golf du Médoc. A golf course, which was designed to be played in links-style conditions, showed a very different side with soft fairways and flooded areas after the wet weather. Once again, I started into the tournament well with a 68, a round which seemed rather effortless. The next two rounds, however, were a real energy-draining challenge. My driving, a part of my game that had been strong recently, was not up to standard and I had a hard time finding the fairway, a price I'd have to pay with the thick rough and deep bunkers at Médoc. I fought hard nevertheless, scrambling from all over the place and even tried adapting my strategy towards the end. I ended up missing the cut by solely one shot, a bitter end to the week, however I know what I have to work on and will use the time now to prepare for the European Amateur Team Championships at PGA Catalunya.
Hopp Schwiiz!

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