Day one digest: 2021 BMW International Open

Friday, 25 June 2021

Everything you need to know from day one in Bavaria.

Ormsby hit the the front, Kaymer was keeping calm, Hovland got his feet wet and we were left with a cliffhanger that Hollywood would be proud of on day one of the 2021 BMW International Open.

Here is everything you need to know from Thursday at Golfclub München Eichenried.

Wade waltzes ahead

Before the storms arrived in the late afternoon to halt proceedings for the day, we had excellent golfing conditions and Wade Ormsby was the man to take full advantage. He carded a bogey free 65 to set the target at seven under despite jet lag after flying back from the U.S. Open Championship in California.

"I was definitely upside down yesterday," he said. "I got a few hours sleep last night, so I feel much better today but yesterday I thought I was going to be in trouble for the week but somehow it sorted itself out. I had a nice start. Holed a few putts. I have been swinging pretty good the last week and a half but the putter hasn’t been co-operating, but it did today, so that’s how you can shoot those numbers."

Wait for it................

Ormsby set the target from the morning groups but when the hooter sounded to bring the players off for the day at 5.51 pm, he had plenty of company. Spain's Sebastian Garcia Rodriguez, England's Sam Horsfield and Japan's Masahiro Kawamura were all also at seven under and had good chances of changing things quickly upon the 7.30am resumption on Friday. Horsfield had a 60 footer for eagle on the last, Kawamura had 11 feet on the ninth - his final hole - for birdie and Garcia Rodriguez was looking at seven feet for a gain on the 12th. Things could change very, very fast.

Kaymer playing the long game

Martin Kaymer was not putting too much pressure on himself after carding an opening 70. The home favourite is a two time Major Champion and former World Number One but his last win was his second Major at the 2014 U.S. Open Championship and he currently sits 99th in the Official World Golf Ranking. A long awaited victory this week would go some way to moving him back to the very top of the game, but the 36-year-old insists he is willing to be patient. "My attitude changed a bit in terms of: I don’t need to perform this week," he said. "My goal is more mid-term, long-term. I need to get back to the Top 50 in the World, Top 20 and eventually to the Top Ten, Top Five. I need to see it step by step."

Hovland makes a splash

Viktor Hovland's opening 68 was a remarkable score when you consider that the Norwegian went in the water three times. He managed to save par on the 18th and fourth and while he couldn't on the 11th, his effort has to be applauded.