Omega European Masters: Lawrence takes a one-shot lead at Crans-sur-Sierre as Wallace hunts a title defense
The Omega European Masters doubles as the DP World Tour’s second Back 9 showcase of the year, a standout event with one of the season’s most lucrative standalone purses. A total prize package of 3.25 million dollars is on offer at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club in Switzerland, matching the 2024 figure when Matt Wallace edged Alfredo Garcia-Heredia in a playoff. It’s a notable step up from 2023’s 2.75 million payout.
After three rounds, Wallace sits near the top of the leaderboard and will seek to defend his title if he can reel in leaders. Thriston Lawrence holds a one-stroke advantage at 18-under, following rounds of 63, 66 and 63. Close behind, Wallace is also in the mix at 18-under, while England’s Matt Fitzpatrick sits on 16-under and Finland’s Sami Välimäki on 15-under. Several PGA Tour stars made the weekend cut, but a number of major names missed the action as weather played a factor in the tournament’s early rounds.
The winner will take home around 552,500 dollars, with anyone finishing in the top six earning six-figure paydays. In addition to the prize money, the event awards 5,000 Race to Dubai points, a crucial factor as players battle to accumulate as many as possible toward the season-ending DP World Tour Playoffs.
Prize money breakdown (top 10 shown)
1st: 552,500
2nd: 357,500
3rd: 204,750
4th: 162,500
5th: 137,800
6th: 113,750
7th: 97,500
8th: 81,250
9th: 72,800
10th: 65,000
11th: 59,800
12th: 55,900
13th: 52,325
14th: 49,725
15th: 47,775
16th: 45,825
17th: 43,875
18th: 41,925
19th: 40,300
20th: 39,000
21st: 37,700
22nd: 36,725
23rd: 35,750
24th: 34,775
25th: 33,800
26th: 32,825
27th: 31,850
28th: 30,875
29th: 29,900
30th: 28,925
31st: 27,950
32nd: 26,975
33rd: 26,000
34th: 25,025
35th: 24,050
36th: 23,075
37th: 22,425
38th: 21,775
39th: 21,125
40th: 20,475
41st: 19,825
42nd: 19,175
43rd: 18,525
44th: 17,875
45th: 17,225
46th: 16,575
47th: 15,925
48th: 15,275
49th: 14,625
50th: 13,975
51st: 13,325
52nd: 12,675
53rd: 12,025
54th: 11,375
55th: 11,050
56th: 10,725
57th: 10,400
58th: 10,075
59th: 9,750
60th: 9,425
61st: 9,100
62nd: 8,775
63rd: 8,450
64th: 8,125
65th: 7,800
What to watch
– A victory would reinforce Wallace’s strong form after last year’s triumph and could realign the DP World Tour’s progression as players push for Playoffs qualification.
– Lawrence’s 18-under tally after three rounds positions him to become the first Swiss/Swiss-based winner of the Omega European Masters since the event’s modern era began.
– The mix of DP World Tour regulars and PGA Tour stars highlights the event’s growing prestige and the late-season momentum many players seek ahead of the playoffs.
Summary
The Omega European Masters in Crans Montana is shaping up to deliver a dramatic finish, with Lawrence holding a narrow edge over Wallace as they chase a prize purse exceeding 3.25 million dollars and valuable Race to Dubai points. The weekend promises high drama as the field contends under Swiss skies for a coveted title and a strong financial boost.
Positive note
The tournament continues to showcase the depth and talent of European golf, providing a platform for legends to defend titles and for rising stars to surge up the standings ahead of the season-ending playoffs.