The DP World Tour returns to Golfclub München Eichenried this week for the 34th edition of the BMW International Open as the countdown to this year’s Ryder Cup reaches a significant milestone. Here are your five things to know.
Li back at scene of dramatic play-off triumph
In one of the most dramatic finishes on Tour last season, Li Haotong holed a near 50-foot birdie putt at the first play-off hole against Thomas Pieters to enjoy an emotional return to the winner’s circle. The Chinese star’s third DP World Tour title came four years after his last at the Dubai Desert Classic in 2018. Li admitted afterwards that he had considered quitting the game due to a lack of form a year earlier. But after equalling his career-best round with a ten-under 62 on the opening day at Golfclub München Eichenried, he recovered from a thinned chip past the flag on the first play-off hole to drain an unlikely birdie putt that sealed a wire-to-wire victory. "Ten months ago, I thought I would quit golf and somehow, [look] where I am now, it's golf," he said. "It's so hard to describe. I had no idea I could win this play-off." It was also the first victory by a Chinese player at the tournament and he will this week seek to become the first person to successfully defend their title.
From LA to Munich
A host of DP World Tour stars who featured in last week’s U.S. Open in California have made the trip to Germany. Among those are Pablo Larrazábal who has already won twice so far this year in South Korea and the Netherlands. Victory this week will see the 40-year-old Spaniard become the first player to win the BMW International Open three times since its inaugural event in 1989. Compatriot Alejandro Del Rey is another in action after impressing on his Major Championship debut at Los Angeles Country, where he came agonisingly close to a hole-in-one on a par four in the opening round. Victor Perez and Adrian Meronk, who have won both won on Tour this season, are both chasing a fourth career Tour title, while South African trio Thriston Lawrence, Wilco Nienaber and Deon Germishuys are also among those to make the prompt return to European soil.
100 days until the Ryder Cup
The 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club promises to be one of the year’s great sports spectacles. On Wednesday, we will be 100 days away from the 44th edition of the matches, which will take place from September 29-October 1 in Italy. There are just ten more events to go before the qualification process for the European team reaches a climax at the Omega European Masters on September 3. European Captain Luke Donald is in the field this week and will have the opportunity to keep an eye on several players vying to make his team. The former World Number One is also joined by all three of his vice captains, two-time BMW International Open champion Thomas Bjørn, Edoardo Molinari and Nicolas Colsaerts. As it stands, Jon Rahm (2,910.53 points), Rory McIlroy (2,354.20 points) and Yannik Paul (1,547.89 points) sit in the three automatic qualifying spots on the European Points List, with Viktor Hovland (242.39 points), Hatton (174.01 points) and Matt Fitzpatrick (139.79 points) in the top three positions on the World Points List. (check/change on Monday!)
Home hero Siem back to his roots
A few weeks after finishing in a share of second place – alongside countryman Maximilian Kieffer – on home soil at the Porsche European Open, Marcel Siem returns to the golf club he grew up at as the child of the then club restaurateurs. While his best ever finish in the event may have come at a different course, the 42-year-old has recorded four top 20s at this week’s host venue. Enjoying a consistent campaign, in which he has already returned to the winner’s circle in India after a lengthy absence, Siem sits 13th in the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex and on the cusp of a return to inside the top 200 on the Official World Golf Ranking. The home crowds will not be in short supply of German players to offer their support to, with Kieffer, Yannik Paul and Nick Bachem also among those targeting home success.
BMW expands social responsibility commitment
The long-term charity campaign “Eagles for Education” is making its debut at the BMW International Open this week. The BMW Group will donate 1,000 euros for every eagle achieved during the tournament. This sees BMW intensify its long commitment to education and future opportunities for underprivileged children and young people. The money will go to the organisations “JOBLINGE” and “Kick ins Leben”, with which the BMW Group has been working for many years. “The BMW Group is aware of its social responsibility and is expanding its commitment to the BMW International Open,” said Stefan Teuchert, Head of BMW Germany and Tournament President. “With the launch of the ‘Eagles for Education’ campaign, we will support two organisations at this year’s BMW International Open, with whom we are working to achieve better career opportunities for underprivileged children and young people. We are confident that we can make a sustainable contribution in this region through this commitment.”
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