BMW International Open – Day four digest 

Everything you need to know from a dramatic final day in Germany.

Haotong holed a remarkable and unlikely birdie putt at the first play-off hole against Thomas to secure his first victory in more than four years, Ryan registered another fine result and spots in The Open Championship at St Andrews were secured in the final round of the 2022 BMW International Open. 

Here is everything you need to know from Sunday at Golfclub München Eichenried.

Li wins Tour title No 3 in thrilling fashion

Li Haotong held a three-shot lead over nearest challenger Thomas Pieters going into the final round. The Chinese player had led the tournament since a course record-equalling round of ten-under 62 on Thursday. Three birdies in his opening five holes had put Li into a commanding five-stroke lead but he picked up only one more shot in his next ten holes as four bogeys and a solitary birdie brought playing partner Pieters and Ryan Fox, both winners on Tour this season, into contention. At one stage, with just three holes to play, all three players were tied at 20 under par. While Fox closed his round with three pars, Li and Pieters made matching birdies at the 16th before the overnight leader moved ahead with a gain at the par-three 17th. But a two-putt birdie from Ryder Cup player Pieters at the last forced a play-off as Li’s birdie attempt lipped out. After he narrowly avoided the water with his approach at the first play-off hole, Li managed to get up and down for a closing birdie thanks to a monster putt across and up a tier in the green. That left Pieters to hole his tricky ten-footer to force another visit to the 18th tee but he was unable to do so.

Emotional Li reveals he nearly gave up on golf

Li had not won a Tour title since the 2018 Dubai Desert Classic, when he memorably outduelled Rory McIlroy down the stretch. After a difficult 2021, during which he missed 13 cuts and had a retirement in 16 appearances, he had fallen as low as 460th in the Official World Golf Ranking. Speaking in his post-round interview after returning to the winner’s circle, Li revealed he had almost given up on the sport: "No-one knows how much I have gone through over the last couple of years. Ten months ago, I nearly decided to not play golf. I thought I couldn’t play golf again.” The release of emotion was visible as an ecstatic Li sank to the ground after celebrating with his caddie on the 18th green.

Resolute Pieters entertains again

Pieters was bidding for a second title this season, to follow his maiden Rolex Series win at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in January. Considering his win at the Portugal Masters in November, victory on Sunday would have been his third tournament success in eight months. The drama that unfolded on the final day was largely down to the determination and talent that Pieters showed in the final group. Despite a sizeable deficit midway through the front nine, Pieters continued to pile on the pressure and, after forcing a play-off, he appeared likely to clinch his seventh Tour win before Li’s remarkable winning putt. The 30-year-old did get some consolation, however, as he moved up two places to fourth in the DP World Tour Rankings, behind Will Zalatoris, Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick.

Fox continues excellent 2022

There is clearly no stopping the rich vein of form Fox is enjoying this season. Since his victory at the Ras Al Khaimah Classic in February, the New Zealander has recorded two runner-up finishes and his third place in Germany – achieved despite feeling unwell over the weekend – has seen him climb to seventh in the DP World Tour Rankings. With six top tens so far this season, no wonder he is describing the 2022 season as his best ever.

Players book coveted spots at The Open

Not only did Li claim victory in a prestigious event on the Tour schedule but he was also one of five players, not otherwise exempt, in the top 20 of the DP World Tour Rankings on completion of this week’s tournament to secure their spot  in the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews next month. Joining him at the final Major of 2022 will be England’s Jordan Smith, who registered his fifth top ten of the season in Munich, his compatriot Sam Horsfield and Spanish pair Adri Arnaus and Pablo Larrazábal.

Välimäki shows his calibre

Sami Välimäki became the first player from Finland to win the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award after a stellar debut season on the Tour, finishing 11th on the season-long rankings in 2020 as he registered his first win at the Oman Open. His outright fourth-place finish in Munich on Sunday will have done his bid to keep his playing privileges next season a great service and the result – his best since finishing second at the ISPS Handa Wales Open in August 2020 – has seen the 23-year-old move inside the top 100 on the DP World Tour Rankings.

Shots like this hole-out eagle at the par-five ninth on his way to a closing 67 underline his talent.