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Walz Ready to Compete in Omega Masters
August 28, 2012 | Men's Golf
Aug. 28, 2012
LOUISVILLE -
University of Louisville men's golfer Max Walz will compete at The OMEGA EUROPEAN MASTERS in Crans-Montana on Aug. 30-Sept. 2.
Since 1939 (!), the Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club has been host to the oldest tournament on the European Tour to take place on the same site. The prize money for the EUROPEAN MASTERS 2012, which has a budget of 10 million Swiss francs, has risen yet again to 2.1 million Euros. Over the next few years, the prize money will gradually rise to 2.5 million Euros.
"This is a terrific opportunity for Max," said head coach Mark Crabtree. "Any college player earning that chance to play at the professional level and compete against the world's best in such a prestigious event is special. We are all excited to follow his play this week."
Here is what Walz had to say about this tremendous opportunity.
Talk about how you qualified for the Omega European Masters?
I qualified for the Omega European Masters through a tournament which is known as 48e Olivier Barras Memorial. It was a strong field of 60 professionals and 75 amateurs, only the best score after 3 rounds either of a professional or an amateur would get /receive an invitation for the European Tour event. A strong finish of birdie,birdie in the final round secured me that invitation over the professional Damain Ulrich.
What's it like to be playing against some of the best players in the world?
It is an honour for me to play with and against the best players in the world. I dreamed of playing a European Tour event at a young age, now God let my dream come true. I will approach the week like a lesson in the classroom. I want to learn from the best players,take away things on which I can work on and become as good as one of those players one day. But I also want play my best and try to beat some.
Talk about your expectations leading into this event-what goals do you have for yourself?
My expectations for this week are little different to the expectations I would have for a regular amateur tournament. I want to make the Cut and play the best of my l potential. I will take the Omega European Masters as an opportunity for me to learn more about the game, myself as a player and to find the missing parts in my game to go to the next level. My goals are to commit to every decision I make and deal with the outcome.
Who are some of your role models growing up who will be playing this event that hopefully you'll get a chance to possibly play with?
First of all it will be an honor for me to play with any player I will be scheduled with on Thursday and Friday. Miguel Angel, Alexander Noren or Matteo Mannassero are players I would like to play with because they are one of my favourite players on the European Tour and players I look up to.
Are you more nervous or excited coming into this week?
EXCITED....!
