+++ Thriston Lawrence (RSA) wins at Golfclub München Eichenried after
a “rollercoaster ride” on Sunday +++ Max Kieffer is top German in
third +++ 51,500 visitors experience tournament week +++ Three
hole-in-ones over course of tournament +++ 99,000 Euro for “Eagles for
Education” +++
Munich. Four days of top-class golf at the 34th BMW
International Open ended with a tense and dramatic final round. It was
a brilliant birdie on the 17th, which had proven to be a tough hole
today, that saw Lawrence take a decisive one-shot lead and move ahead
of yesterday’s leader Joost Luiten (NED). The 26-year-old South
African hit rounds of 71, 69, 66 and 69 on his way to a final score of
13 under par (275 shots) and his fourth title on the DP World Tour.
“Congratulations to Thriston Lawrence on his victory at the
34th BMW International Open. The conditions on the
Championship Course were very challenging at times, which makes his
performance all the more impressive,” said Ilka Horstmeier, Member of
the Board of Management of BMW AG, People and Real Estate, Labour
Relations Director. “We have had a fantastic tournament week, with
three hole-in-ones and 59 eagles, which allowed us to raise 99,000
Euro for ‘Eagles for Education’. This will help to achieve more equal
opportunity and greater educational equality.”
The BMW Group is donating 1,000 Euro for every eagle scored at the
BMW International Open. The money goes to the “JOBLINGE” and “Kick ins
Leben” organisations, with whom the BMW Group has been working for
many years. In recognition of the remarkable sporting achievement, BMW
is also giving a donation of 10,000 Euro for a hole-in-one. ‘Eagles
for Education’ started on Tuesday, when BMW donated 10,000 Euro on
behalf of the big names on the practice round, including football
stars Gareth Bale (WAL) and Thomas Müller (GER), as well as last
year’s winner Haotong Li (CHN) and the current German number one
Yannik Paul.
Lawrence started his final round on Sunday four shots behind Luiten,
and endured a “rollercoaster ride” over the course of the day: he
carded six birdies on the first 13 holes – but also five bogies.
However, of the leading group, it was the South African who finished
strongest with two birdies on the 15th and 17th holes. His Dutch
rival, on the other hand, could do no better than one birdie and three
bogies, meaning he trailed Lawrence by one shot as he arrived at the
18th tee. An aggressive drive over the water came up just short, so
the 37-year-old could only lay up with his second shot. Despite this,
he still found himself with a long birdie putt to take the tournament
into a play-off. The putt from the fringe missed the hole by mere
millimetres – and Lawrence emerged victorious.
“I saw that Joost Luiten was not going that well, and that I had
played the last four holes a few shots under par on the previous days.
The idea was to stick to the game plan and enjoy playing at the same
time. I am very proud that I could stay calm,” said Lawrence. “I did
not know that Ernie Els was the only South African to have won the BMW
International Open. I feel very honoured. He was my idol and his
junior foundation really supported me.”
Tied in third place on 11 under par were Adrian Meronk (POL), Rikuya
Hoshino (JPN), Daniel Hillier (NZL) and Max Kieffer, who was the top
German in the field. “It is nice to have been in contention for
victory again on the Sunday at my home tournament, but I should have
taken the opportunity today. That hurts. The finish here – 16, 17, 18
– is spectacular, and that is exactly what we want on the Tour.
However, it means that anything can happen,” said Kieffer. “The
reception from the fans on the 18th green was magnificent.
The BMW International Open is by far my favourite tournament, and I
would have loved to have lifted the trophy here. I will be back to try again.”
The best-placed amateur was Jonas Baumgartner. The 20-year-old from
GC Hösel finished tied in 52nd place on +1 (289 shots).
“Making the cut as an amateur was a fantastic experience,” said
Baumgartner. “It has been a really good week, during which I have
gained a lot of valuable experience.”
Marcel Schneider (-6, T14), Max Schmitt, Matti Schmid (both -5, T18),
Thomas Rosenmüller (-4, T26), Hurly Long (-2, T38), Velten Meyer (Even
Par, T47), Marc Hammer (+2, T59), Jannik de Bruyn, Philipp Mejow (both
+3, T62), Michael Hirmer (+4, T67) and Marcel Siem (+7, T73) completed
the contingent of 13 homegrown players who successfully made the cut.
In total, a record 21 German players – including two amateurs – teed
off at the 34th BMW International Open.
Please find the final result of the BMW International Open 2023 in
the PDF Document (“Final standings”).
