The Infortar Estonian Challenge, a stage of the HotelPlanner Tour, is being held in Jõelähtme, Estonia. This marks the first time a professional-level golf tournament has taken place in the country.
The tournament features 156 golfers, including 14 of the top 20 players in the tour rankings. Competitors have arrived from Brazil, Peru, Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Japan, Malaysia, South Africa, and various European nations. Estonia is the 52nd country to host a tournament of this caliber.
Estonian professionals participating in the tournament
First day scores
German golfer Marc Hammer recorded the best score of the day with 64 strokes. Estonian golfer Markus Varjun shot 67 strokes, placing him in shared 8th position. He noted that making only two bogeys during the day was not a bad result.
Other scores included 69 strokes from Kevin Christopher Jegers and Ralf Johan Kivi, and 72 strokes from Mattias Varjun, who was crowned the Estonian stroke-play champion a week and a half ago. Carl Hellat and 18-year-old debutant Hart Oskar Aoveer both shot 73 strokes. Richard Teder withdrew from the competition due to a health issue.
Following the Friday round, a cut will be made. Only the top 60 players and those tied with them will continue in the tournament. The current cut line stands at -2.
Player reactions
This is a huge deal for Estonian golf, the youth, club players, everyone.
The Estonian Golf Association and sponsors have given us the opportunity to play in Estonia.
The Estonian golf team secured silver at the European Team Championship two and a half weeks ago. Additionally, the Estonian Golf Association and sponsors have provided opportunities for Estonian players to compete in seven extra tournaments abroad.
