Germany plays host to two European Tour events during the season, and the second of those takes place this weekend at the Golfclub Munchen Elchenried in the form of the BMW International Open. There is a prize fund of €1.5 million available to players at the event, which means some of the big names take part.
BMW International Open Preview
The BMW International Open has been staged since its inception in 1989. However, since 2012 it has been moved around the country, as it has taken place in cities such as Cologne and Iffeldorf. For a while, it was the only European Tour event that was staged in Germany. However, that changed with the introduction of the Porsche European Open six years ago.
This year’s event will be the first time that it has taken place since 2019, as the 2020 event was forced to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Henrik Stenson and Pablo Larrazabal are among the most successful players in this event, as they have both won the competition twice since 2011. The reigning champion coming into this weekends BMW International Open is Andrea Pavan. The Italian won the 2019 event after a playoff against Matthew Fitzpatrick. Matt Wallace won the event in 2018, while Andres Romero was the 2017 champion.
Leading Players
Viktor Hovland is the current player at the top of the BetXChange market, as the Norwegian is 6.50 to win the event this weekend. Hovland withdrew from the US Open last weekend, but has already performed well at a number of events this season. He won the Mayakoba Golf Classic in December, and also finished in a tie for second in both the Farmers Insurance Open and Workday Championships. He is yet to finish in the top two in this event, and could be a leading contender this weekend.
Louis Oosthuizen was very close to winning the US Open last weekend, but eventually, he needed to settle for second behind Jon Rahm. That was the fifth time that the South African has finished in the top ten of an event this calendar year. He had also finished in a tie for second in the PGA Championship, while he was also second in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. His form has been excellent this season, and should be set for another strong challenge this weekend.
Sergio Garcia finished in a tie for second in 2017, and was also second outright in this event in 2011. He is currently an 11.00 chance with BetXChange to win the BMW International Open this weekend. The Spaniard isn’t in the best of form coming into this event though, as he has missed the cut in five of the last seven events that he has played in. However, he produced a strong round to finish in a tie for 19th last weekend in the US Open.
BMW International Open Prediction
Martin Kaymer could be an interesting selection this weekend of his return to Germany. He won this event back in 2008, and often performs back in his home country. In events in Germany, he has finished in the top ten on four occasions and was second in this very tournament in 2018.
