+++ Haotong Li (CHN) ready for Mission ‘Defend Title’ +++ Record
number of German players taking part +++ Attractive groups for
spectators +++ Player quotes from Tuesday +++ Tee times for Thursday
and Friday +++
Munich. The first round of the BMW International Open
(Golfclub München Eichenried) on Thursday marks the start of the
sporting battle for one of the most iconic titles on the DP World
Tour. In addition to last year’s winner Haotong Li and other top
international players, 20 domestic players and two German amateurs
will be taking part. This is the largest number of local heroes ever
in the 34-year history of the tournament.
Defending champion Li will start from the first tee on Thursday,
alongside Alex Cejka (GER) and Poland’s Adrian Meronk at 8:10 a.m.
Starting at 8:00 a.m., also from tee 1, are Europe’s Ryder Cup team
captain Luke Donald (ENG), Marcel Siem (GER) and two-time BMW
International Open Champion (2011, 2015) Pablo Larrazábal (ESP).
Of particular interest from Germany’s point of view is the group
consisting of Max Kieffer, Yannik Paul and Nick Bachem. This trio will
start the 34th edition of the BMW International Open from the 10th tee
at 8:10 a.m.
See the PDF document for an overview of all the start times and
groups (“Tee Times Thursday & Friday”).
Quotes.
Haotong Li: “When I arrived at the site, the great
memories from last year came flooding back. I also remembered many
good strokes and the great fans. I can’t wait for the 2023 BMW
International Open to get started.”
Max Kieffer: “I’m really looking forward to the BMW
International Open. It’s great to be playing alongside Yannik and Nick
in a German group. That has the opportunity to develop its own
momentum. Having a positive vibe in the air can be very inspirational.”
Marcel Siem: “It’s a huge honour to be playing with
Luke Donald. Naturally, it is fantastic to be in a situation where the
Ryder Cup is at least still a possibility. However, I have to push
that to the back of my mind in the two rounds because of course it
adds that little bit more pressure. I just need to play my strategic
game and keep my emotions in check.”
Yannik Paul: “I have always dreamed about maybe
playing in the Ryder Cup one day and prepared myself mentally for
this. It would be fantastic to be there, but if not, life goes on.
I’ll be trying to avoid putting myself under pressure this week.”
Matti Schmid: “It’s always great playing at a home
tournament, particularly the BMW International Open. I often played in
tournaments here at Golfclub Münchnen Eichenried as a teenager. It’s
nice to be back. I’m looking forward to a fantastic tournament week
and the atmosphere.”
Alex Cejka: “When you live in the USA, like I do, it
is always wonderful to come home. I think it’s great that there are so
many Germans taking part this time. Back in the day it was just
Bernhard Langer, Martin Kaymer and maybe me – and now we have four,
five, or six really strong players, and a good number behind them. It
gives me pleasure to see that – even if they all hit 40 metres further
than I do.”
Nick Bachem: “I enjoy every single week on the DP
World Tour. My win has changed a lot, now I have the confidence that I
can win tournaments and that I have arrived on the tour. The group
with Max and Yannik will be great, we will have a lot of fun and a
relaxed atmosphere.”
For further information, livescoring and a live stream from Thursday,
please vistit www.bmw-golfsport.com
