08.04.2024
+++ Bernhard Langer returned to practice last week +++ Two-time Masters champion bids farewell to the DP World Tour in Munich +++ Impressive German contingent, including Bachem, Cejka, Kieffer, Long, the Paul twins, Schmid, Schneider and Schott +++ The only German winner of the BMW International Open, Martin Kaymer, will also tee off at the 35th anniversary of the tournament +++
Munich. Bernhard Langer has his sights set firmly on the 35th BMW International Open (3rd to 7th July 2024, Golfclub München Eichenried). Having undergone a successful operation on the Achilles injury he suffered practicing in February, the two-time Masters champion, six-time Ryder Cup winner, and most successful player in the history of the PGA Tour Champions, says: “It feels good to be back on the golf course and practicing my short game. I am confident that I will be able to tee off at the BMW International Open in July as planned. I am very much looking forward to the iconic tournament in my native Bavaria.”
Golf fans wishing to give the 66-year-old a worthy send-off at his final event on the DP World Tour (DPWT) are not the only ones hoping that Langer is able to tee off at his home event. The same can be said of the other top German players, who all want to share the course with this exceptional sportsman, who has done so much for golf in Germany. With this in mind, Nick Bachem, Alex Cejka, the only German winner of the BMW International Open Martin Kaymer, Max Kieffer, Hurly Long, Jeremy and Yannik Paul, Matti Schmid, Marcel Schneider and Freddy Schott have all announced that they will be playing at the 35th anniversary tournament. Stephan Jäger, who recently claimed his maiden PGA TOUR title at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, will – like Marcel Siem – decide over the course of the season whether or not he will tee off at his home club.
After a one-year break, Kaymer returns for the 35th staging of the tournament, which he won back in 2008 to become the youngest champion – a record he still holds to this day. The two-time major winner says: “It fills me with a lot of joy to announce that I will be playing The BMW International Open in Germany, one of my all time favorite events, this year in Munich. I did fall in love with the course since I won there in 2008 and I’m looking forward to celebrate Bernhard Langer’s career and be part of his last tournament on the DP World Tour.”
In Alex Cejka, one of Langer’s longest companions will make the journey from the USA to Munich. The three-time major winner on the PGA Tour Champions and reigning Senior Open champion always enjoys coming home for the BMW International Open, with which he has a lot of connections.
Max Kieffer, who finished third last year and narrowly missed out on the title in Munich, is also looking forward to the 35th BMW International Open. “This is the tournament I am most looking forward to this season. Particularly after I came so close to winning it last year. That was a really special week,” says the 33-year-old. “You never know what might happen in golf, but it would be a dream to win on German soil this year.”
For the first time since the 2016 BMW International Open, Jeremy and Yannik Paul will both tee off at the prestigious German tournament. Playing at the same event is a rare treat for the twins. Jeremy, who is one minute older than his brother, plays on the Korn Ferry Tour, on which he won his first tournament in January. Yannik ended last season on the DP World Tour as the top German in the Race to Dubai in an impressive 22nd place.
Hurly Long and Nick Bachem were 57th and 59th in the end-of-season ranking to successfully secure their DPWT tour cards for this season – as did Siem (24th) Kieffer (65th), Matti Schmid (74th), who also plays on the PGA TOUR, and Marcel Schneider (90th).
Freddy Schott held his nerve to win Qualifying School and earn his current tour card in the autumn. The 22-year-old says: “The tournaments in Germany are the highlights of my season and I am already looking forward to the German fans in Munich. Although I am still new to the DP World Tour, I would like to leave a lasting and positive mark on the impressive history of this tournament.”
So, when it comes to homegrown players, the 35th BMW International Open leaves nothing to be desired. The top international golfers on display at Golfclub München Eichenried will be announced at a later date.
Tickets for the 35th BMW International Open are available at www.bmw-golfsport.com/tickets
