The BMW International Open has announced a strong group of players for the 34th edition of the event, which will take place at Golfclub München Eichenried from June 22-25, 2023.
The event, much-loved by spectators and players alike thanks to its special atmosphere, will take place just three months before the Ryder Cup, taking place in Rome, with Worldwide Partner BMW, also playing an important role in golf's greatest team contest.
With only a few months to go until the unique duel between the best golfers in Europe and those of the defending champions, the USA, at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, the Ryder Cup teams will slowly take shape, and the captains will become clearer on who they want as wild card picks.
Europe’s captain Luke Donald will have the opportunity to take a look at a wide range of aspriants in Munich. The former World Number One and two-time winner of the BMW PGA Championship will also be reaching for his clubs himself. The tournament’s huge significance for the Ryder Cup’s Team Europe is highlighted by the fact that all three vice captains – Thomas Bjørn, two-time BMW International Open champion, Edoardo Molinari and Nicolas Colsaerts – will be teeing off.
No doubt the quartet will be keeping a close eye on the many German players who have been attracting attention with excellent results on the two major world tours in recent months. Yannik Paul in third place on the European Points List would qualify for the European team immediately as it stands. Paul won his first title on the DP World Tour last year, as did Max Kieffer, and both golfers will be in action in Munich. Matti Schmid, who made a splash on the PGA TOUR when he finished in tied sixth place at The American Express in January, will also be teeing off in his home state of Bavaria.
In Marcel Siem, the player of the hour is returning to the golf club in which he grew up as the child of the then club restaurateurs. The 42-year-old not only recently reached the impressive milestone of 500 DP World Tour tournaments, he also won the Hero Indian Open last weekend, which saw him celebrate a title win once again, more than eight years after his last victory at the 2014 BMW Masters. Alex Cejka, who has been enjoying success on the PGA TOUR Champions since 2020, has won two majors there, and is currently ranked seventh in the season standings, will return to Germany and the DP World Tour for the BMW International Open.
A range of younger European players who have increasingly attracted attention and will also be part of the field at Golfclub München Eichenried have good reason to hope for a spot on the Ryder Cup team. These include 21-year-old Danish twins Nicolai and Rasmus Højgaard, who with two and three DPWT wins to their name respectively have already proved they have what it takes on several occasions. In Abu Dhabi, France’s Victor Perez won the first Rolex Series tournament of the year, and his third title on the DP World Tour. The interesting quartet is rounded off by Robert MacIntyre of Scotland, the 2019 Rookie of the Year 2019 award and two-time DP World Tour winner.
Last year’s winner Li Haotong, whose emotional reaction to winning the play-off will be remembered for many years to come, will be looking to defend his title in June. Ryan Fox, who finished third, will also be teeing off again. The New Zealander was presented with the Seve Ballesteros Award for the best DP World Tour Player of the Year after an incredible 2022 season – beating major winners Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick to win the award. Spectators can also look forward to seeing three further DP World Tour winners, Spanish duo Rafa Cabrera Bello and Pablo Larrazábal, a two-time BMW International Open champion, and Andrew “Beef” Johnston, who are also eager not to miss out on the BMW International Open.
Entry to the BMW International Open Pro-Am is free on Wednesday June 21. Entry is free for children and young people up to the age of 16 on all days.
Day tickets and tournament tickets, as well as VIP tickets for the Fairway Club, are available to purchase online: www.bmw-golfsport.com/tickets
See the online ticket shop for further information on all ticket categories – and on concessions for young people over the age of 16, pupils, students, and people with disabilities.
