The European Tour kicks back into gear following some time off for the U.S. Open. Up this week is the BMW International Open in Germany.
The Championship Course at Golfclub Munchen Eichenried will play host for the 26th time in tournament history. The historic Munich track stretches to 7,284 yards and will play to a par 72.
Headlined by U.S. Open runner-up Louis Oosthuizen, and top-ranked stars Viktor Hovland (14), Sergio Garcia (48), and Bernd Wiesberger (54).
The BWM will also include Germany’s own Martin Kaymer as the home favorite.
Here are more details about this week’s 32nd BMW International Open.
2021 BMW International Open
The Skinny
Tournament: BMW International Open
Dates: June 24-27, 2021
Where: Munich, Germany
Tour Debut: 1989
Title Sponsor: BMW
Course: Golfclub München Eichenried
Distance: Par 72, 7284 yards
Format: Stroke play
Purse: €1,500,000
Winning Share: €270,00
Defending Champion: Andrea Pavan
How to Follow the BMW International Open
TELEVISION: Thu-Fri: 6:30-10 a.m. (GOLF); Sat-Sun: 7:30 a.m.-12 p.m. (GOLF)
ONLINE: Web | Instagram | Facebook
BMW International History
The BMW International Open is Germany’s longest running professional golf tour event. First contested in 1989, Northern Ireland’s David Feherty edged American Fred Couples by five strokes to capture the inaugural trophy.
The tournament was annually held in Greater Munich, the home base of BMW, until 2012. Since then, though, the event has rotated each year between Munich (Golfclub München Eichenried – 2013, 2015, 2017) and Cologne (Golf Club Gut Lärchenhof – 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018).
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 $2.24 million, which is about a mid-tier purse on the European Tour.
Martin Kaymer is the only native son to have won the title in the 29 previous editions. German legend Bernhard Langer is a five-time runner up.
Two-time winners Paul Azinger, Pablo Larrazabal, Henrik Stenson, and Thomas Bjorn are tied for the most victories. Other big names engraved on the trophy include Sandy Lyle, Frank Nobilo, Colin Montgomerie, Lee Westwood, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Danny Willett, Ernie Els, and John Daly.
History: Recent Winners
2019: Andrea Pavan (-15)
2018: Matt Wallace (-10)
2017: Andrés Romero (-17)
2016: Henrik Stenson (-17)
2015: Pablo Larrazábal (-17)
2014: Fabrizio Zanotti (-19)
2013: Ernie Els (-18)
2012: Danny Willett (-11)
History: Records
SCORING
261 (-27) – John Daly (2001)
WINS
2 – Henrik Stenson (2006, 2016)
2 – Pablo Larrazabal (2011, 2015)
2 – Thomas Bjorn (2000, 2002)
2 – Paul Azinger (1990, 1992)
BMW International Field
There’s no doubt the spotlight will be on Louis Oosthuizen, who wrapped up a second-straight runner-up in a major at last week’s U.S Open.
In addition to his most recent result, the South African enters off three impressive prior starts: top 10 at the Valspar, T2 at the PGA, and top 20 at the Memorial.
There’s a reason he’s the co-favorite this week at 7-1.
He will be joined by young superstar Viktor Hovland (No. 12), who needs to get in some European Tour starts to help his 2021 Ryder Cup qualification. Hovland is fifth on the FedExCup standing and the second highest ranked player in the field (13th).
A third top-ranked name is Sergio Garcia (No. 48), who is listed behind Oosthuizen and Hovland at 11-1. The Spaniard enters off two solid outings: T19 at the U.S. Open and T20 at Colonial.
Bernd Wiesberger is another Ryder Cup hopeful, who won his second consecutive Denmark title late last month, but enters off two poor results (MC-T40) since.
As always, proceed with caution…
