Staff WriterMarcel Schneider’s never been one to hog the headlines, but he’s put himself squarely in the spotlight this week at the Austrian Alpine Open.
After another four under par round of 66, the German finds himself with a one-shot lead heading into Sunday’s final chapter at Golf Club Gut Altentann.
It’s a stage he’s never occupied before on the DP World Tour, but there’s a quiet assurance in the way he’s gone about it.
A Measured Start, a Fiery Finish
Schneider opened with eight straight pars today, a run that would put most of us to sleep but proved he’s got the patience of a monk.
Then, in true late-bloomer fashion, he caught fire around the turn with four birdies in five holes from the ninth.
After the 13th, he buttoned it up and parred his way home—no fuss, no drama, just the sort of round that wins trophies when the sun starts to set on Sunday.
At 15 under par for the week, Schneider’s got one hand on what would be a maiden DP World Tour title—and three HotelPlanner Tour wins in the bank to remind everyone he knows how to close.
The Chasers Circle
Of course, nothing’s ever straightforward when a trophy’s on the line. Nicolai von Dellingshausen sits just a stroke back after a swashbuckling 65 that included an eagle on the last—just the sort of punctuation to make Schneider glance over his shoulder.
Von Dellingshausen’s hunting his own first win on the big stage, and there’s no doubt he’ll come out swinging tomorrow.
Then there’s Denmark’s Jeff Winther, who ripped up Gut Altentann today with a bogey-free 62—good enough to leapfrog into solo third at 13 under.
When a man’s that hot, you’d be wise to keep him in your periphery. A shot further back sits Callum Tarren, steady as ever after another 66.
Danger Lurking at the Edge
Sharing fifth on 11 under are South Africa’s Jayden Schaper and Sweden’s Sebastian Söderberg, who matched Winther’s heroics with an eight-under 62.
These boys aren’t here for the schnitzel—they’re here to ruin Schneider’s Sunday.
The Course and the Moment
Gut Altentann isn’t the sort of course that gives up much without a fight—Jack Nicklaus’s fingerprints are all over the layout, and the final day promises to test every bit of nerve and shotmaking the field can muster.
Schneider’s par parade might not set the crowd alight, but it’s the sort of golf that often holds up best when everything’s on the line.
The Verdict? Clear Your Calendar
So, should you tune in for tomorrow’s final round? No question. Schneider’s story alone—a man who’s never led on the DP World Tour before, now holding steady at the top—would be worth the price of admission.
Add in von Dellingshausen’s eagle-laden chase and Winther’s 62, and you’ve got yourself the kind of Sunday finish that golf fans dream of.
