The European Tour’s regular schedule gets back into gear following the season’s third major at Carnoustie. Up this week is the Porsche European Open in Germany.
Green Eagle Golf Courses in Winsen, Germany will play host for the second straight year, and third time in tournament history. The championship track stretches to 7,831 yards and plays to a par 73.
Headlined by PGA Tour stars Patrick Reed, Paul Casey, Bryson DeChambeau, and Pat Perez, the Porsche will also includes defending champion Jordan Smith as well as Frenchman Aleander Levy.
Here are more details about this week’s 30th BMW International Open.
2018 PORSCHE EUROPEAN OPEN
THE SKINNY
Tournament: Porsche European Open
Dates:Â July 26-29, 2018
Where: Winsen, Germany
Title Sponsor: Porsche
Course:Â Green Eagle Golf Courses
Distance: Par 73 | 7,831 yards
Format: 72-holes, stroke play, 36-hole cut
Purse: $2,000,000
Winning Share: $333,330
Defending Champion:Â Jordan Smith
Marquee Players:Â Patrick Reed, Bryson DeChambeau, Paul Casey, Pat Perez, Alex Levy, Charl Schwartzel, Aaron Rai, Nicolas Colsaerts, Chase Koepka, Thomas Bjorn
TV AND ONLINE
Round 1: Thu 5:30 am -7:30 am (GOLF)
Round 2: Fri 5:30 am -7:30 am (GOLF)
Round 3: Sat 8:00 am – 12:30 pm (GOLF)
Round 4: Sun 6:30 am – 11:30 am (GOLF)
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HISTORY
The Porsche European Open was first contested 30 years ago with American Bobby Wadkins winning the inaugural trophy. From 1978 to 1994 it was played at various courses in England.
Between 1995 and 2007 the tournament was held at the K Club in Straffan, Ireland, before moving again in 2008, this time to the Jack Nicklaus-designed Heritage course at the London Golf Club near Sevenoaks, Kent, England.
After a five-year hiatus, the event returned to the European Tour schedule in 2015, now played in Germany.
Until the Porsche European Open arrived in 2016, the BMW International was the Tour’s lone event contested in Germany. The total prize money is now up to $2 million, which is about a mid-tier purse on the European Tour.
German legend Bernhard Langer is a two-time winner, although he won his titles in England. Scotland’s Gordon Brand Jr., Swede Per-Ulrik Johansson, and Englishman Lee Westwood are the other two-time champions.
Other big name winners include five-time major winner Nick Faldo of England, American Tom Kite, Welshman Ian Woosnam, Scot Sandy Lyle, South African Retief Goosen, Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke, and Australia’s Graham Marsh, Peter Senior and Greg Norman.
TOURNAMENT NAMES
2015-18: Porsche European Open
2010-14: No Tournament
2008-09: European Open
2006-07: Smurfit Kappa European Open
1995-05: Smurfit European Open
1994-94: European Open
1991-93: GA European Open
1983-90: Panasonic European Open
1978-82: European Open Championship
RECENT WINNERS
2017: Jordan Smith
2016: Alexander Levy
2015: Thongchai Jaidee
2009: Christian Cevaer
2008: Ross Fisher
2007: Colin Montgomerie
TOURNAMENT RECORDS
WINS
2: Bernhard Langer (1985, 1995)
2: Gordon Brand Jr. (1984, 1993)
2: Per-Ulrik Johansson (1996, 1997)
2: Lee Westwood (1999, 2000)
SCORING
260: Ian Woosnam (1988, Sunningdale)
-21: Per-Ulrik Johansson (1997, The K Club)
DEFENDING CHAMPION
Englishman Jordan Smith captured his first European Tour title at the 2017 Porsche European Open, edging defending champion Alex Levy in a playoff at Green Eagle Golf Courses.
In what seemed like a match play, Smith, the 54-hole leader, and Levy were paired together in Sunday’s final group.
After several lead changes, Levy took a one-shot lead to the final hole, but a dramatic birdie by the 24-year-old Smith sent the two players into overtime.
On the first extra hole, Levy had a chance to close it out, but missed a 3-footer for eagle, and the two returned to the 18th tee all-square.
The next go-round, though, Levy struggled to a par, while Smith tapped in for a birdie and his first victory on the big tour.
Siddikur Rahman (68) of Bangladesh, and Swede Johan Edfors (70) tied for third at 11-under.
FINAL TOP 5
1. Jordan Smith -13
2. Alexander Levy -13
3. Siddikur Rahman -11
3. Johan Edfors -11
5. Zander Lombard -10
5. Adrian Otaegui -10
5. Jens Fahrbring -10
FULL FIELD & ODDS
Green Eagle Golf Courses | Winsen, Germany | July 26-29, 2018
