The DP World Tour makes its first of two trips this season to Germany as Green Eagle Golf Courses plays host to the 40th staging of the Porsche European Open. Here are your five things to know.
Samooja defends at scene of maiden win
Kalle Samooja became the fourth first-time winner in the last five editions of this event 12 months ago as he shot a course-record eight-under 64 on the Porsche Nord Course to win by two shots. The Finn started the day seven shots off the lead but produced eight birdies on his last 13 holes, including back-to-back gains at the 17th and 18th to set the clubhouse target at six under. The 2018 Challenge Tour graduate then had a two-hour wait while the late starters struggled to bridge the gap to that score before his breakthrough triumph was confirmed. What made his victory more remarkable was that he became just the third player to have won a tournament while shooting one sub-par round. His victory also ended the run of English winners on German soil and secured him a spot at last year’s U.S. Open via the European Qualifying Series – something which is also on offer this week.
U.S. Open qualifying series concludes
As was the case last year, the four-event U.S. Open Qualifying Series reaches its conclusion at the Porsche European Open. At the end of this week, the top two aggregate points earners from the mini order of merit, who are not otherwise exempt, will secure their spots into the field for the third Major Championship of the year at The Los Angeles Country Club from June 15-18. With Adrian Meronk, who leads the standings, already exempt, Romain Langasque and Simon Forsström currently occupy the two qualifying spots and will be looking to seal the deal with a good performance in Germany.
German champions bidding for home victory
Hopes are high for a first home winner of this event since its move to Germany in 2015. In fact, not since Bernhard Langer in 1995 has a German won this event. But with Marcel Siem, Yannik Paul, Maximilian Kieffer and Nick Bachem – who have all won on the DP World Tour in the last nine months – are in action this week and aiming to continue what has been a stellar spell for the country. Last month, Nick Bachem became the last first-time winner from German as he won by four strokes at the Jonsson Workwear Open in South Africa, in just his 12th start on the DP World Tour since earning his card at Qualifying School last year. “I’m really looking forward to the event, the fans and the atmosphere,” said the 23-year-old who is making his tournament debut. “The Porsche Nord Course is a big challenge, but I think we German golfers have recently shown that we are always a force to be reckoned with. The spectators can look forward to four great days.”
Anniversary affair
The Porsche European is celebrating its milestone 40th edition this week in what it is also the 75th anniversary of Porsche as a brand. Before Porsche came on board as title sponsor eight years ago after a six-year absence, the event had been held in the UK. A host of European greats including Sir Nick Faldo, Sandy Lyle and Langer have won this event which first became part of the DP World Tour schedule in 1978. With a host of Ryder Cup contenders, including Victor Perez and Robert MacIntyre among others in the field this week, who will have their name engraved on the trophy come Sunday?
Porsche lead the way
Year in, year out, the stars of the DP World Tour are lured by the prospect of sitting behind the steering wheel of the Leader’s Car, where at the end of each round the player who tops the leaderboard earns the right to drive the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S. This year, the Porsche that is made available for the leader to travel to and from the venue on each respective day has been inspired by the huge challenge the Porsche Nord Course poses the professionals. Based on the course’s unofficial moniker ‘The Green Monster’, the Leader’s Car will shimmer in green in 2023. Porsche will also provide a 30-vehicle shuttle service for all the players. The whole fleet is electric and consists of models of the fully electric Porsche Taycan and the Porsche Panamera Hybrid.
