Swiss pro Cedric Gugler has been suspended for ten events on the HotelPlanner Tour following a rules violation.
Cedric Gugler, a Swiss golfer who gained attention last year with a fourth-place finish at the Omega European Masters in Crans Montana, is currently in his third professional season on the Challenge Tour. His long-term goal is to qualify for the DP World Tour within five years. However, that path has become more difficult after he received a ten-event suspension for a serious breach of the Tour’s code of conduct during the Kaskáda Challenge in June. Gugler allegedly played his ball from the wrong spot on the green multiple times during the round.
Gugler responds to suspension
Following the European Tour’s announcement, Gugler addressed the situation in an Instagram Story. He did not focus on the alleged infraction itself but admitted that his vague wording during the hearing may have contributed to the penalty. He accepted the suspension and expressed regret over the incident.
Here is Gugler’s full statement:
“Dear friends, as some of you may have heard, I have been suspended by the European Tour for the first ten events of the upcoming HotelPlanner Tour season. As an athlete who has played golf since the age of six and who values fairness, respect, and sportsmanship above all, this is a very difficult moment. I am accused of not properly marking or replacing my ball on the green during the first round of the Kaskáda Golf Challenge. My playing partners reported this to the tournament officials after the round.”
“My mistake was that during the initial hearing that same evening, I carelessly admitted that it might have been possible — through simple inattention — that the ball was not returned to the exact same spot.”
“It was never my intention to gain an advantage. Unfortunately, this vague statement triggered a long and difficult process that has now led to this decision. I deeply regret this incident.”
“I will use this as motivation to be even more careful in the future — especially when marking and replacing my ball on the green. Thank you all for your support during this challenging time. Sincerely, Cedi”
Looking ahead
While Gugler’s suspension is a setback, he remains committed to his professional goals. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of precision and integrity in golf, especially at the professional level.