Staff WriterMaximilian Steinlechner isn’t just teeing it up at the Interwetten Open — he’s dragging the hopes of a nation up the Austrian Alps with him.
Heading into Sunday’s final round at Schladming-Dachstein Golf Club, the 25-year-old Austrian holds a slender one-shot lead as he chases his first HotelPlanner Tour win on home turf.
Steinlechner, who began the day with a two-stroke cushion, carded a three-under-par 66 to move to 16-under overall, one clear of a trio snapping at his spikes: Scotland’s David Law, England’s Ben Stow, and Italy’s Filippo Celli.
“It wasn’t the best today, but I managed it very well,” Steinlechner admitted, in that refreshingly honest tone only golf and post-round exhaustion can produce.
“I definitely hit better shots across the first two days, but it was important to keep any big scores off the card today. I’ve been solid this week and I’m pleased to be leading heading into the final round.”
Solid, indeed — five birdies, two bogeys, and a lot of Austrian grit. While his swing may not have been poetry in motion on Saturday, his composure read like a veteran’s journal.
“I tried to play my own game today and not look at who was around me on the leaderboard,” he said. “I’m in a great position and I like my chances tomorrow.”
If Steinlechner does pull it off, it won’t be his first taste of silverware this year. He opened 2025 with a win at the Mediclinic Invitational on the Sunshine Tour — a triumph that clearly whet the appetite.
Now, he’s hoping to feast again, this time in front of friends, family, and a crowd more accustomed to ski goggles than golf visors.
“It was pretty cool to have so many fans with me out there,” he said, grinning like a kid who just snuck past a snow patrol. “Austria is predominately a winter sports country, so I really appreciate them coming out and it really helps me out there.”
And help he might need. The leaderboard behind him is stacked tighter than a schnitzel sandwich. JC Ritchie of South Africa and Sweden’s David Lundgren are both lurking at 14-under, while a four-man group at 13-under — Michele Ortolani (Italy), Vince van Veen (Netherlands), Oihan Guillamoundeguy (France), and Quim Vidal (Spain) — are all within striking distance.
Still, this feels like Steinlechner’s Sunday to lose.
“I’ve come close to winning on the HotelPlanner Tour, but I’ve never managed to get it done over 72 holes,” he said. “Tomorrow, I have a great chance, and I am going to give it my best shot. It would be special to get my first win in Austria.”
No fluff, no false modesty. Just a young man with a solid game and a shot at something special.
The final round of the Interwetten Open kicks off at 7 am local time. Steinlechner, Law, and Stow will headline the final group at 8:40 am. And if all goes to plan, the locals might just start warming up to this whole golf thing.
