Staff WriterBernd Wiesberger is back where he belongs—on home turf, ready to ignite the galleries at the Austrian Alpine Open presented by SalzburgerLand.
The eight-time DP World Tour winner is relishing the chance to compete in front of his own once more as the storied event makes its long-awaited return to the tour calendar.
This week’s tournament also marks a homecoming of sorts for the Golf Club Gut Altentann.
The Jack Nicklaus-designed course, which famously hosted the first three Austrian Opens in the early ‘90s, is once again in the spotlight.
Back then it was Bernhard Langer who made history. Now, it’s Wiesberger’s turn to stoke Austrian pride.
The 39-year-old, who made headlines in 2021 by becoming Austria’s first-ever Ryder Cup representative, hasn’t teed it up on home soil since 2017. That’s far too long by any measure.
Bernd Wiesberger: “It’s nice to have a home event out here. It’s the first time playing since 2017. I was injured in ’18 and didn’t play the ones during Covid. So it’s been a while since I’ve played in front of home crowds.
I’m very grateful for those people who have pulled together to bring the Austrian Open back.
It’s an old-school golf course with some history on the DP World Tour as well, playing here in the early 90s. It has evolved a little bit since then, but hopefully it will be a stern and a good test.
The weather conditions don’t look great, but we hope for the best and ensure everyone has a great week and that we have a great championship in Austria this week.
“We played a different golf course in 2012. Everything is a little bit of a blur. A lot of emotions going through that week. I was on the last green and holed a long putt.
I didn’t have to hole it to win, but it was a great bonus to have a huge roar on the last hole. It was a very emotional week. My grandfather passed away not too long before that, so it was emotional winning in front of family and friends.
Your home open always brings the best out of you and you want to do well, that’s exactly what I’m trying to do this week.
I’ve really been looking forward to it since it was announced that we’d be coming back. I feel ready to go. I feel like I’m playing decently going into the week. I enjoy the golf course, so I hope it will be a good week.”
The last time he lifted the national open trophy was in 2012, but the hunger clearly hasn’t faded.
Alongside him this week are fellow Austrians Lukas Nemecz and Max Steinlechner—young talents both tracking well inside the top 25 on the HotelPlanner Tour’s Road to Mallorca.
For them, it’s not just a home game, but a critical step toward earning DP World Tour cards for 2026.
European Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald is also making headlines with his appearance—his first since the US PGA Championship at Valhalla.
The former World Number One was the only man to go bogey-free in round one at Quail Hollow, a detail that proves his game is quietly clicking into gear.
Meanwhile, England’s Jordan Smith brings sizzling form to the foothills of the Alps.
Three straight top tens, a win at U.S. Open Qualifying at Walton Heath, and a ticket to Oakmont have the 31-year-old brimming with confidence.
Kristoffer Reitan is another name worth circling. The Norwegian arrives fresh off a fairytale win at the Soudal Open, where he made up nine shots in one final-day blitz before sealing his maiden DP World Tour title in a playoff. Momentum? He’s practically surfing on it.
But for the Austrian crowds, there’s no bigger storyline than Bernd Wiesberger’s homecoming.
Whether it’s nostalgia, national pride, or sheer golfing pedigree, one thing is certain: all eyes this week will be on the man in red and white, and Gut Altentann might just roar again.
