+++ 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”).