Image Cedit: National Club Golfer
Swiss golfer Cedric Gugler has been suspended for the first 10 tournaments of the 2026 HotelPlanner Tour season. The European Tour Group confirmed the suspension follows a “reckless” breach of the Rules of Golf.
Disciplinary Panel Ruling
An Independent Disciplinary Panel, consisting of Philip Evans KC, sports administrator Ian Larsen, and Legends Tour member Markus Brier, reviewed the case. The panel ruled that Gugler’s conduct was a serious violation of the Code of Behaviour.
Incident at Raiffeisenbank Golf Challenge
The incident occurred during the opening round of the Raiffeisenbank Golf Challenge at the Kaskáda Golf Resort in the Czech Republic on June 12, where Gugler shot a 75. He was disqualified for repeatedly playing his ball from the wrong place on putting surfaces. The panel stated his actions fell “below the standards of behaviour and ethical conduct expected of Tour members.”
Impact on 2026 Season
Gugler, 25, primarily competes on the HotelPlanner Tour, one tier below the DP World Tour. He will miss the first 10 events of the 2026 season, starting with the SDC Open in South Africa on January 29. The full 2026 schedule is yet to be announced.
Recent Form
Earlier this month, Gugler competed in the DP World Tour’s Qualifying School, finishing two shots off the early lead but missing the cut after rounds of 64, 75, 73, and 72. In 2024, he won three times on the ProGolf Tour, but in 2025 he made only seven cuts from 19 starts, with a best finish of tied-30th.
Maintaining Professional Standards
This suspension emphasizes the European Tour Group’s commitment to ethical conduct and professional behaviour across all events.
