When Martin Kaymer teed off for the first time in the BMW International Open back in 2003, few could have predicted the glittering path his career would take.
Then just 18 years of age, the then-amateur received an invitation from BMW to play in his debut professional tournament. Five years on, Kaymer returned to Munich to become the first German to win the BMW International Open in its 20 year history.
Since then, he has climbed all the way to the top of the World Ranking in what seems like the blink of an eye. And when the now 26 year old steps onto the first tee to contest the 23rd edition of the BMW International Open from June 23–26, he will be introduced as a Major champion and global superstar.
Tournament president Karsten Engel used Thursday’s press conference to announce that the US PGA Champion would be amongst the starters at Golfclub München Eichenried
He said: “We are very proud that the German spectators, in particular, can look forward to watching their number one. As Germany’s only top level tournament, we are pleased to be in a position of particular responsibility when it comes to the many golf fans in our country. Needless to say, Martin is highly motivated to show his class once again on German soil.”
A second title win for the World Number One to go with that breakthrough victory in 2008 is far from a foregone conclusion, however, especially the field also includes Dustin Johnson, with whom Kaymer has already fought out some high-pressure matches.
The German saw off the rising American star on his way to his first Major title at Whistling Straits, Johnson missing out on a play-off with the eventual winner and fellow American Bubba Watson after an unfortunate rule infringement on the final hole. But the World Number 12 gained a measure of revenge later in the year with a majestic 6&4 victory over Kaymer in the final round of Singles matches in The Ryder Cup at The Celtic Manor Resort, Wales.
Like Kaymer, Johnson also knows what it means to win a BMW tournament, as the American celebrated the biggest win of his career so far at last year’s BMW Championship in Cog Hill, near Chicago.
“Confirming a US PGA Tour player of Dustin’s standing in the field is a real highlight for any European event,” said tournament director Marco Kaussler, who was also able to announce a string of other high-calibre contenders for the event.
The 2011 BMW International Open will welcome another Major winner in the guise of two-time US Open Champion Retief Goosen of South Africa). World Number Seven Paul Casey of England is another player to have already confirmed his entry at this early stage, and the spectators can also look forward to watching former World Number Two Sergio García of Spain in action at Eichenried.
While Goosen, Casey and García will be looking to record their first victory in the tournament, Spain’s Miguel Ángel Jiménez and Henrik Stenson of Sweden already have their names on the honours board, and the respective winners in 2004 and 2006 have signed up again for this year’s event in the hope of repeating the feat.
“Players who have competed in the BMW International Open before are always keen to come back,” said Kaussler, underlining the special appeal of the €2million event. “The tournament is highly regarded by the professional players, as they appreciate the good organisation and congenial atmosphere we have at Eichenried.”
Bernhard Langer and Alex Cejka, who both now live in the States, are two such players. Langer, a native of neighbouring Anhausen, and Cejka, who lived in Munich for many years, will make a rare visit back to Germany for the event to launch their latest attempts to win a tournament in front of their home fans. Two-times Masters Tournament champion Langer has been runner-up in the BMW International Open on five occasions already, while Cejka – who tied for 35th at this year’s Masters Tournament in Augusta – came within touching distance of the top prize in 2010, when he finished third.
One of the players to watch this year will be 18 year old Matteo Manassero. In October 2010, the Italian became the youngest player to win a European Tour event when he took the Castellò Masters title in Valencia. Manassero will be joined in the field by his compatriot Francesco Molinari, winner of the 2010 WGC-HSBC Champions event, one of the four exclusive tournaments that make up the World Golf Championships. Like Kaymer and Jiménez, the World Number 15 was a member of Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup Team in 2010.
Europe’s Captain in that memorable victory, Colin Montgomerie, stopped by at the Golfclub München Eichenried on Thursday. And it wasn’t only the participants in the BMW Media Cup 2011 who benefited from his presence at the course, as the Scot gave the assembled journalists an insight into the coaching qualities which helped Europe to that dramatic win over the States.
“Those were the most intense days of my whole career,” recalled Montgomerie. “And I think our victory has given all the European players a real boost. You only have to look at Martin – he’s now the World Number One. That’s an incredible achievement. You can only congratulate Germany on producing such a wonderful player, who is also a first-class sportsman.”
For around a year now, Kaymer has represented the BMW Group as a BMW Golfsport Ambassador, and as such plays his part in BMW’s far-reaching commitment to golf. BMW is the only brand to be involved in the US PGA Tour (BMW Championship), The European Tour (BMW PGA Championship, BMW International Open, BMW Italian Open) and The Ryder Cup. This commitment, together with its more than 20 Official Car partnerships around the world, makes BMW on of the most important global players in golf.
The always-excellent playing conditions are another factor in securing the fine reputation enjoyed by the BMW International Open. Further improvements have been made to the championship course at Eichenried this year, as the bunkers at the 12th and 15th holes have been remodelled, whilst the fourth fairway has gained 55 yards (50 metres) in length thanks to a new tee position.
“The players used to take a defensive approach from the tee on the fourth hole for the most part, but this change will force them into a rethink,” said Korbinian Kofler, Managing Director of GC München Eichenried. “All in all, there have been a lot of improvements made in terms of the quality of the course. One such upgrade has seen a new pitching green with two practice bunkers added near the clubhouse. Our aim has been to present our course to the spectators at its best once again – and I think we’ve achieved that.”
