Staff WriterThere’s something about the Swiss Challenge that demands quiet, steady golf—and Tobias Jonsson had just that in spades today at Golf Sempach.
The 24-year-old Swede signed for a bogey-free 67, moving to 13 under par for the week and giving himself a two-stroke lead heading into Sunday’s final act.
A Steady Start, a Clean Card
Jonsson’s round was the sort of workmanlike effort that doesn’t always grab headlines, but wins tournaments all the same.
A tap-in birdie at the first set the tone early, and a birdie at the par-five fourth gave him just the sort of cushion you need when the clouds decide to let rip in Lucerne.
Two more birdies on 14 and 17 were enough to move him clear at the top—proof that sometimes, patience pays better than flash.
“It was solid from the start,” he said, a picture of calm. “It was a long time ago I had a bogey-free round so I was happy with that.”
Rain, Wind, and a Rookie’s Calm
The weather wasn’t about to make it easy. “It was quite hard at some points. When we played hole five and six it started blowing and pouring which was tough,” Jonsson said.
But if there’s anything to be said for Swedish winters, it’s that they breed a certain stoic grit—and Jonsson showed every bit of that today.
“I stayed patient from the start. It was just like I played the first two rounds. I hit the driver well and hit a lot of greens,” he added.
And there it is—no fuss, no drama, just the sort of golf that makes you think he’s been doing this for years.
A Sunday Worth the Watch
This is only Jonsson’s tenth HotelPlanner Tour start, but his name’s at the top of the board tonight, two clear of Denmark’s Jeppe Kristian Andersen, who sits alone in second after a solid round of his own.
Behind them, six players—including Sebastian Friedrichsen, Santiago Tarrio, and Mark Warren—are three shots back and waiting for a slip.
For Jonsson, tomorrow is about more than just a maiden title—it’s about showing he can finish the job in his first final group since turning pro.
“I was pretty nervous at the end there today, but tomorrow will be a lot of fun,” he said. “I hope it’s going to be better weather, but either way I’m going to stick to the plan and do what I have been the last three days.”
The Verdict? Sunday’s a Must-See
So, should you tune in? Without question. There’s something special about a young player on the edge of his first win—and Jonsson’s got that look in his eye.
If he can keep the driver straight and the nerves calm, he just might have his name on the trophy by sundown.
But with six players lurking just three shots back, don’t expect him to have it all his own way.
