Thriston Lawrence entered the winner's circle for the second time this year, while Max Kieffer gave the home crowds plenty to cheer for and three more aces added to this year's impressive season tally. Here's everything you need to know from the 2023 BMW International Open.
Lawrence makes it win number four
Thriston Lawrence claimed the fourth win of his career and second win of the season, besting Joost Luiten at the end of a dramatic final day in Germany to take the title at the BMW International Open.
The South African entered the final day at Golfclub München Eichenried four shots behind his rival but had reeled him in by the turn before back-to-back three-putts on the 12th and 13th left him two behind with five to play. The 17th then proved critical as Lawrence hit a stunning tee-shot to set up a birdie and Luiten three-putted the par-three to drop out of the lead for the first time all day.
Lawrence parred the last for a 69 to finish at 13 under and with Luiten unable to make a birdie on the par-five, the 26-year-old was left celebrating a fourth DP World Tour title in 19 months.
"It means a lot," he said, fighting back tears after becoming just the second South African to win this trophy after the great Ernie Els.
"There's been a lot of hard work. I went to America for six weeks and made one cut - this game is not easy. It was a real boost today and I really gave it my all. I feel sorry for Joost, I know how tough this game is. I don't know why I'm so emotional but obviously it just shows that it means the world and to get my fourth victory in Germany is unbelievable.
"I seem to win a lot of events that Ernie has won. It's special, he's obviously the ultimate hero for me. I grew up in that era where he was on top of the world and it's very special to to get my name along alongside him."
Kieffer impresses in front of home fans
Birthday boy Maximilian Kieffer was proud of the way he dealt with home expectations after he secured a second top-three in three weeks in Germany at the BMW International Open.
The 33-year-old finished alongside Marcel Siem in a share for second three weeks ago in Hamburg and this week at Golfclub München Eichenried, he was the best of the home players in a tie for third.
It has been a fantastic ten months for Kieffer, whose win at the D+D Real Czech Masters in August kickstarted a stunning renaissance in German golf that has seen Yannik Paul, Siem and Nick Bachem all also go on to claim victories. That triumph in Prague also brought him an increased profile at home events, and he was delighted with how he dealt with the new pressures.
"At home there's a bit more pressure, you really want to do well," he said. "So to contend both weeks, I can be pretty satisfied with that."
27 aces in 27 events.
Taking the season's tally of 27 aces in 27 events, the BMW International Open provided plenty of drama.
Takumi Kanaya made an ace on day one, it was Joost Luiten's turn on day two, and on day three Connor Syme holed a five iron from 220 yards at the second to make it a hat-trick of perfect shots. This is the second consecutive week and fourth time this season we have had three holes-in-one at the same tournament.
Top 10 on his professional debut
Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen made the most of his invite to the BMW International Open, finishing in a tie for seventh in his DP World Tour debut.
The Dane only finished his collegiate career at Oklahoma State last month but looked assured in the paid ranks as he strung rounds of 69, 67, 73 and 69 to end his week on 10-under-par alongside Matthieu Pavon and Dan Huizing.
“This is my first DP World Tour event, so yesterday when I was starting I was quite nervous," he said. "But I know I have my game and I've just kind of taken it one shot at a time, done a really good job of staying right in the present, even though I've hit a couple of loose shots here and there, but I've been able to recover and just kind of move on."
Getting to know the DP World Tour players
Hurly Long revealed an insight into the minds of professional golfers when he explained why he pictures wheels slowing down ahead of every shot he hits. During a mid-round interview with Tim Barter at the BMW International Open, the German player, who is the son of coach and former European Challenge Tour player Ted Long, revealed that he pictures wheels and then those cogs slowing down in his mind because it helps him lower his adrenaline and heartbeat before he opens his eyes and steps up to a shot.
“I was going to take that to the grave with me,” he joked.
“Whether it's wheels or something, I’m just trying to get hyper focused. It has to go slowly because my adrenaline has to be low, my heartbeat has to be low. When I open my eyes it’s meant to be like, I am myself, and I can react subconsciously. That’s the idea.”
Meanwhile, Nicolas Colsaerts gives us a better look at preparing for a tournament as he took as through a day in the life during the BMW International Open.
