BMW International Open

[i*windows]

The BMW International Open

 

This week the European tour comes to Munich - my home city! whilst definitely not the best golf course in the area, the tournament is run fantastically well and it's a really good week/weekend. Tickets are free on Thursday and Fridays. I played the course a couple of weeks ago and it's in pretty decent condition, but the electric pylons which run overhead are bloody aweful

 

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.

 

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.

 

 

Best Spectator Spot.

 

at the Paulaner tent near the 11th tee, where you can have a beer and watch payers tee off on the 11th and approach 2 other greens and have a beer

 

 

 

 

Worst Spot to be

Behind Stenson's Caddy

 

[360_CS]

Is this the tournament Garcia is having a fan caddy for him?

[i*windows]

no I think that will be at the British Master's Pro Am

[i*windows]

the weather is perfect here today, should be some low numbers posted. Simon Dyson going well early doors.

 

https://www.europeantour.com/en/europeantour/tournaments/2017/bmw-international-open/

[360_CS]

The weather does look beautiful.

 

C'mon Garcia. One more.

[i*windows]

for 360_cs

 

 

 

[360_CS]

It's great how tickets are free the first two days. That Garcia, Kaymer and Bello group would of been great to watch.

 

Are you going all four days?

[i*windows]

It's great how tickets are free the first two days. That Garcia, Kaymer and Bello group would of been great to watch.

 

Are you going all four days?

 

No I wont be there over the weekend, it will be too busy and too damn hot. I played the course a couple of weeks ago and it's really interesting to see how the course should be played, the Pro's are just so good its like they are playing a different game.

[360_CS]

Yea, it doesn't look that crowded these first two days which is perfect.

 

Garcia, please back up your first round with another good one

[360_CS]

Another nice round from Garcia. Looks like he I'll have to shoot something similar today. It willl be interesting how Bland plays. He go lucky on some shots.

 

Garcia's putting stroke looks really dodgy.

[Hawkeye77]

Looking forward to tomorrow. Tuned in this morning hoping Stenson would have a good third round but another yawner from him. His playing partner did well. Some good coffee and breakfast in front of Euros on Sunday!

[iBanesto]

Another nice round from Garcia. Looks like he I'll have to shoot something similar today. It willl be interesting how Bland plays. He go lucky on some shots.

 

Garcia's putting stroke looks really dodgy.

 

Watch out for Joakim Lagergren, a young and talented Swede.

[Darth Putter]

Come on Thomas Detry!

 

Good luck to my fellow Illini in getting his first European Tour win tomorrow.

[Hawkeye77]

Sergio throwing darts, Stenson throwing bean bags! Henrik, Henrik.

[MMB1500]

Detry looks like he'd still qualify for the Drive, Chip and Putt.

[SwooshLT]

Romero takes BULL by the horns!

[gflo]

I though it would have been bland’s day for his 1st victory because he had few good breaks. Detry was lilmore unlucky, and had 2 lip out. At the end the invite takes the trophy. good job Andres! Now time for some rolex series tournaments and worldclass fields before the open

[Darth Putter]

Great finish for Thomas. He's now got a bronze and a silver on the European Tour, now he just needs to earn a gold. He's up into the 50s in the Race to Dubai and should be back inside the world top 200 tomorrow.

 

Andres is a great story, he's gone from no status in Europe or the US to tournament winner.

[Blade Junkie]

Andres is a great story, he's gone from no status in Europe or the US to tournament winner.

 

Glad to see Romeo back in the limelight. He had 10 birdies in the final round of The Open at Carnoustie in 2007, and was in the lead after 70 holes, but finished double bogey, bogey, to land in 3rd, one shot out of the play off between Harrington and Garcia. Romeo won the Zurich Classic in 2008, and was PGA Tour Rookie of the Year for 2008 as well. Precious few highlights since then, a runner-up finish to Tiger at Memorial in 2012 aside, and he was WR 837 last week !!!

[SwooshLT]

Andres is a great story, he's gone from no status in Europe or the US to tournament winner.

 

Glad to see Romeo back in the limelight. He had 10 birdies in the final round of The Open at Carnoustie in 2007, and was in the lead after 70 holes, but finished double bogey, bogey, to land in 3rd, one shot out of the play off between Harrington and Garcia. Romeo won the Zurich Classic in 2008, and was PGA Tour Rookie of the Year for 2008 as well. Precious few highlights since then, a runner-up finish to Tiger at Memorial in 2012 aside, and he was WR 837 last week !!!

 

Just shows how fickle this wonderful game can be....

 

Anyone have WITB for Andres? Saw RSI TP irons ....

[360_CS]

Congrats to Romeo. Too bad Garcia couldn't finish it.