+++ Jordan Smith (ENG) and Ewen Ferguson (SCO) enter the final round as leaders +++ Jannik de Bruyn best German after three rounds +++ Hole-in-One Award BMW i5 Touring still up for grabs +++ Already 49,000 euros for “Eagles for Education” +++
Munich. 15,000 spectators came to the Munich Eichenried Golf Club on Saturday for the “Moving Day” of the 35th BMW International Open. In very warm weather, but with little wind and good scoring conditions, the Scotsman Ewen Ferguson defended his lead, but now shares it with England’s Jordan Smith (both -14). For the 31-year-old, Germany seems to be a good place as one of his two wins so far on the DP World Tour was achieved in Hamburg in 2022.
“It would be unbelievable. I can’t really speak about it right now, it feels like it’s way too early,” said Ferguson. “I feel like I’m good enough, I’m ready and my game’s in really good shape. It’s exciting and I just want a chance coming down the last nine on Sunday. That’s what you play and practice for and if I get myself in that part then I feel like it’s a win on its own and we can take it from there.”
Smith is also looking forward to the final round and is preparing to attack once more. He said, “it’s going to be low scoring tomorrow so I think we’ve got to stay aggressive when we can. We’ve got to take those birdie opportunities.”
The best round of the day was recorded by Jens Dantorp. Despite two bogeys, the 35-year-old Swede played excellently on Saturday, carding eight birdies and an eagle, and moved up to a tied third place with a total score of -13 – together with Romain Langasque (FRA).
The group that is a maximum of five strokes behind the leaders is 13 players strong. It includes the 2018 Masters Champion Patrick Reed (USA, -12, T5) and the two-time BMW International Open winner Thomas Bjørn (DEN, -9, T9). The 53-year-old victorious Ryder Cup captain of 2018 is experiencing a second spring at the 35th BMW International Open and is playing as well as he has not for a long time on the DP World Tour. Five strokes before the final round is also the largest deficit that a winner in the long history of the BMW International Open has been able to make up. This was achieved by five pros: Mark McNulty (IRL, 1994), Frank Nobilo (NZL, 1995), David Horsey (ENG, 2010), Fabrizio Zanotti (PAR, 2014), and Pablo Larrazábal (ESP, 2015).
Jannik de Bruyn, who came tied third at the Italian Open last week, proved his good form in Munich on Saturday. The 24-year-old brought in a 69-round (-3) to the clubhouse and is the best German after three rounds with a total score of 7 under par. “My play wasn’t quite as good today, but I made the most of the round with good putts,” said de Bruyn. “I want to push hard again tomorrow and enjoy it. Playing in Germany is always what I look forward to the most.”
One stroke back is Jeremy Paul (-6, T28), followed by Martin Kaymer and Matti Schmid (both -5, T39). Freddy Schott (Even Par) is tied for 62nd place after Saturday.
The ace by Matthis Besard (BEL, -9, T9) on Thursday at hole 12 remains the only one of the 35th BMW International Open so far. On the final day, the remaining 65 pros in the field still have the chance to secure this year’s Hole-in-One prize at the 17th hole, the fully electric BMW i5 Touring, which is manufactured at the Bavarian BMW Group Plant Dingolfing.
Even if there are comparatively few aces to celebrate this year, golf fans enjoyed many eagles – and also that for every eagle during the tournament week, the BMW Group, like last year, donates 1,000 euros to JOBLINGE and Kick ins Leben. The Munich organisations are committed to educational equity and equal opportunities for young people. On Saturday, the pros noted ten eagles, so the current donation stands at 49,000 euros.
The final round on Sunday will be played in groups of three from the first tee. The first group starts at 8:54 a.m., the last at 1:00 p.m. Should the start of the round be delayed due to weather, a two-tee start is planned, with the last flights also starting at 1:00 p.m. Please refer to the PDF document attached for the complete (provisional) tee times.