Wil Besseling shot a seven under par round of 65 to secure a one-shot victory in the final week of the BMW Indoor Invitational powered by TrackMan as European Tour stars tackled the world renown West Course at Wentworth Club.
Wil Besseling claims second virtual victory at BMW Indoor Invitational powered by TrackMan
34 European Tour players used TrackMan technology to compete from home
Dutchman receives $10,000, which will benefit two charities of his choice
Wil Besseling shot a seven under par round of 65 to secure a one-shot victory in the final week of the BMW Indoor Invitational powered by TrackMan as European Tour stars tackled the world renown West Course at Wentworth Club.
The Dutchman, who also tasted victory at Golfclub München Eichenried in week three of the virtual golf series, finished top of a leaderboard featuring 34 players in the final event in the virtual tournaments using the latest simulator technology.
The 35-year-old opted to split the winner’s cheque of $10,000 between two charities that will benefit from the donation during the COVID-19 pandemic – Streeklaboratorium voor de Volksgezondheid, the hospital in which his mother works at that helps fund research into antibodies for people working in hospitals and healthcare in the Netherlands, and Dutch4kids, which raises money for children’s hospitals.
Finishing in style 👏
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) June 6, 2020
Wil Besseling wins at Wentworth, his second victory of the series. 🏆#BMWTrackManInvitational pic.twitter.com/R8g3YTfHt1
With his victory in week three of the BMW Indoor Invitational presented by Trackman, Besseling again split his winnings between Doneereenmondkapje.nl (Donate a Protective Mask), which supplies protective masks to frontline workers in the Netherlands, and Bake for Life, a charity close to his heart which creates jobs and sustainable incomes for people in Africa.
Besseling and the rest of the field, including seven-time European Tour winner Bernd Wiesberger, Belgian Ryder Cup stars Nicolas Colsaerts and Thomas Pieters, and Scotland’s Connor Syme - who also has two virtual wins to his name following victories in week two at Royal Portrush and Real Club Valderrama last Saturday, in which he was involved in a five-way tie for first place - competed virtually from their own homes in the one round, 18 hole stroke play event.
Tournament footage was shown on the European Tour’s social media channels and https://bmw.trackmaninvitational.com, with fans able to follow using #BMWTrackManInvitational.
The Dutchman fired eight birdies and a single bogey on his way to an impressive one shot victory over Jordan Smith, who came agonisingly close to tying the lead at the famous West Course, however a bogey on the 18th hole meant the Englishman signed for a round of 66. Wiesberger was a further shot back at five under in tied third alongside Dane Joakim B Hansen, Frenchman Damien Perrier and German Hurly Long.
“I have never played Wentworth before but a second win in five weeks is a great record,” said Besseling. “I’ve had the chance to work on my game indoors over the past few weeks and I am used to working with the Trackman technology which has been nice, but you still have to hit good shots and give it all you have got to win.
“Winning at Wentworth makes it even more special. I have heard a lot about it and by the look of the course indoors it is amazing, so the next step is for me to be there live at the BMW PGA Championship.Having this second win under my belt gives me more confidence for my return to golf. It was exciting to shoot seven under and make a birdie on the famous 18th hole.
“I have really enjoyed the experience from the first week right until this week at Wentworth It was an amazing idea from the European Tour, BMW and TrackMan. It is doing something that we have never done before so that was cool to be involved in, and I will definitely keep using the indoor facility because it is fun, and it helps my game.
“I’m really happy I am once again able to donate money to some charities that are doing some great things. Half of the funds will go to Dutch4kids, a charity that raises funds for children’s hospitals, and the other one is Streeklaboratorium voor de Volksgezondheid, which is a hospital that helps fund research into antibodies for people working in hospitals and healthcare during the coronavirus pandemic. I am very lucky to have the opportunity to donate this money and to help people make a better world.”
Frenchman Raphaël Jacquelin, Scot Liam Johnston and Belgian Colsaerts finished tied seventh at Wentworth with a four under par round of 68. Norwegian Kristoffer Reitan and Belgian Pieters was then one shot further back.
Footage of the BMW Indoor Invitational powered by TrackMan is now available on the European Tour’s social media channels (Twitter: @europeantour; Instagram: @europeantour; YouTube: EuropeanTour) and via https://bmw.trackmaninvitational.com.
BMW Indoor Invitational powered by TrackMan venues and dates:
Saturday May 9 - Old Course, St Andrews (Winner, Joost Luiten)
Saturday May 16 - Royal Portrush (Winner, Connor Syme)
Saturday May 23 - Golfclub München Eichenried (Winner, Wil Besseling)
Saturday May 30 - Real Club Valderrama (Winners, Rafa Cabrera Bello, Sergio Garcia, Matthew Jordan, Damien Perrier, Connor Syme)
Saturday June 6 – Wentworth Club (Winner, Wil Besseling)
