Matti Schmid is hoping a bold on-course approach will help him in his bid for a maiden DP World Tour title amid increased expectations on home soil at the BMW International Open.
The German was the best home-grown player last year, finishing in joint seventh, and is set for his sixth start in as many years at Golfclub München Eichenried.
Schmid, who predominantly plays on the PGA TOUR, was tied third across driving categories as he registered a career-best tie for fourth in a Major Championship at the US PGA Championship earlier this year.
While this week's layout is reasonably tree-lined, which typically puts a premium on accuracy, water is in play on ten holes and with four par fives and a driveable par four 16th, an offensive strategy could be a well-adopted strategy among players.
"It's risk and reward, really," said Schmid, when asked about the make-up of the host venue where the winning score has averaged out at 20 under over the last two editions.
"I think we have a driveable par four and a couple of par fives with water everywhere. They are reachable, but danger is around.
"If you want to win here, you have to historically take it pretty low.
"So, you need to take on some risks and hopefully it pays off.
"I know it's been pretty dry and hot over the last few months here, but we had a lot of rain Monday and there's a lot of rain here on Wednesday."
You need to take on some risks and hopefully it pays off.
As a child, the now 28-year-old came to watch the BMW International Open and now the next generation of golfers are looking up to him.
Despite three missed cuts on the spin since his impressive showing at Aronimink in May, World Number 80 Schmid is the top-ranked German teeing it up in Bavaria.
A winner of the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award in 2021, victory this week would see him become just the second German champion of the tournament after Martin Kaymer in 2008.
In that quest, Schmid is hoping all facets of his game can come together as he prepares for a strong backing from friends and family.
"It's awesome for me, obviously," he said of competing in a home event.
"I think my whole golf club is going to come and support. I know a lot of people here and hope it's going to be a good atmosphere.
"The [US] PGA was obviously great. I felt obviously really good. The course matched up with my strengths really nice.
"I was able to take on a few of the doglegs. The fairways were super nice, and I saw the greens extremely well. I could read them really nice. The lag putting was really good.
"You need those weeks. When the putter shows up, you need to match it up with a good long game, and I did.
"After that, slowed down a little bit, but that was mainly because of the flat stick. Long game was always pretty solid.
"So, I know these greens quite well. Practised quite a bit, so hopefully we can turn things around again."
The BMW International Open marks the climax of the European Swing on the 2026 Race to Dubai, with Schmid hoping to build confidence ahead of next week's Genesis Scottish Open, co-sanctioned with the PGA TOUR.
"This tournament has always been a big one, and I think always a big one on the DP World Tour schedule," he said of a tournament that has been sponsored by BMW since its inaugural edition in 1989.
"BMW does such a fantastic tournament with the hospitality and the village here.
"So, I think the fans really enjoy this tournament, and that's why they come out, and hopefully a lot of Germans can show up this week and do them a favour."
