Sergio Garcia returns to Europe for his first competitive start on the continent since his Major breakthrough at the Masters Tournament as he joins Martin Kaymer and Henrik Stenson among many others at the BMW International Open. Here is the lowdown…
Rewind
Stenson claimed his tenth European Tour title at Golf Club Gut Lärchenhof in 2016, after the Swede stormed to a three-shot victory following a long final day consisting of 36 holes.
A third round 67 in the morning earned him a one-shot lead heading into the afternoon and he showed all of his class and determination in his second round of the day.
Having dropped three shots in the opening five holes to lose the outright lead, Stenson mounted an impressive comeback with three birdies on the way home to seal the deal.
It was his first victory on the European Tour since the 2014 DP World Tour Championship and his second at this event, having lifted the trophy for the first time back in 2006.
It would prove to be a catalyst for the biggest moment of his career as just three weeks later, Stenson overcame Phil Mickelson in an epic final day battle at Royal Troon to claim the Open Championship and lift the Claret Jug.
The Field
Stenson returns to German soil for the first time since claiming the famed Claret Jug as he prepares to defend his title against a star-studded field that features six Major winners.
Stenson will be joined by past champions Pablo Larrazábal (2011, 2015), Fabrizio Zanotti (2014), Ernie Els (2013), and Martin Kaymer (2008), along with Masters champion Garcia.
England’s Tommy Fleetwood arrives in hot form after a blistering start to the 2017 season. Currently sitting in second position in the Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex, the 26 year old secured victory early on in the year at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, as well as runner-up finishes at the WGC-Mexico Championship and Shenzhen International. He arrives in Germany after an exceptional run at the US Open, where he finished a credible fourth on the challenging Erin Hills course.
Sebastian Heisele, Florian Fritsch, Max Kieffer, Alexander Knappe, Bernd Ritthammer, and Marcel Siem will fly the flag for the home nation, and will be joined by former Ryder Cup captain José María Olazábal, four-time European Tour winner Bernd Wiesberger, and Spanish star Rafa Cabrera Bello.
The Course
Founded in 1989, Golfclub München Eichenried wasted no time in bringing the stars of the world game to its fairways, hosting the inaugural BMW International Open that same year – which is why this venue regards itself as the ‘home’ of this tournament.
The 27-hole lay-out, designed by Kurt Roßknecht, is spread out over 350 acres of lush woodland landscape – quite typical of the famous south-eastern German state of Bavaria.
While the fairways are generally wide and the terrain is flat, it is no walkover. At 7,235 yards, with strategically-placed bunkers, trees and water hazards, it generally favours longer hitters.
The venue also features a state-of-the-art practice facility which includes a 240-metre-long floodlit driving range and an indoor training area.
Did You Know
• There have been 24 different winners from the previous 28 events.
• The BMW International Open began in 1989. This tournament has the longest consecutive sponsor of any current European Tour event, now in its 29th year.
• Fabrizio Zanotti made history at the BMW International Open in 2014 when the 32 year old became the first player from Paraguay to win a European Tour event. In the process, Paraguay became the 36th different nation to win on the European Tour.
• The first five-man play-off in European Tour history took place at the 1992 BMW International Open. Former American Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger prevailed over Glen Day, Anders Forsbrand, Mark James and Bernhard Langer.
• Golfclub München Eichenried will be playing host to the BMW International Open for the 23rd time, having held the tournament all but six times since 1989.
• The last two BMW International Opens at Golfclub München Eichenried have been decided by just one stroke – Pablo Larrazábal finishing ahead of Henrik Stenson in 2015 and Ernie Els ahead of Thomas Bjørn in 2013.
• 2016 champion Henrik Stenson became the first person to win the BMW International Open on two different courses, winning at Golfclub München Eichenried in 2006 and Golf Club Gut Lärchenhof in 2016.
