2023 BMW International Open Preview, Picks & Analysis

IF YOU were ever in doubt that this is a Ryder Cup year then you should tune in to the BMW International Open at Golfclub München Eichenried this week, when Luke Donald and his vice-captains are all in the field to cast an eye over some of those vying for a place in the team.

The event takes place just three months before the Ryder Cup, taking place in Rome.

With only a few months to go until the much-anticipated contest between the best golfers in Europe and those of the defending champions, the USA, at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, the teams are taking shape, and the captains will be working out who they want as their wild-card picks.

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Donald will be joined by his three vice captains – Thomas Bjørn, Edoardo Molinari and Nicolas Colsaerts.

It would be a surprise if one of them does not ask to play alongside Tom McKibbin, the 20-year-old Northern Irishman who won the Porsche European Open, also on German soil. McKibbin is a fantastic prospect and if he maintains his early progress he may just force himself into the reckoning. He is unflappable and would be a huge asset to the team. This Ryder Cup may come too soon for him but he is certain to be a regular in years to come. And remember that Sergio Garcia was just 19 when he played in the Ryder Cup for the first time. If you are good enough you are old enough.

A number of German players have shown fine form recently and will be hoping to shine on home soil.

Yannik Paul is in fifth place on the European Points List. He won his first title on the DP World Tour last year, as did Max Kieffer, and both golfers will be in action in Munich. Matti Schmid, who made an impact on the PGA Tour when he finished in tied sixth place at The American Express in January, will also be teeing off in his home state of Bavaria.

Marcel Siem returns to the golf club where he grew up as a child. The 42-year-old not only recently reached the impressive milestone of 500 DP World Tour tournaments, he also won the Hero Indian Open, which saw him celebrate a title win once again, more than eight years after his last victory at the 2014 BMW Masters. And he has continued to play well, giving McKibbin a run for his money at the European Open before running out of steam.

The Hojgaard twins, Rasmus and Nicolai, will also be looking to show their Ryder Cup credentials. Just 21 years old, the pair have already won five times between them on the DP World Tour.

France’s Victor Perez won the first Rolex Series tournament of the year, and his third title on the DP World Tour, and will also be looking for another big week.

And don’t be at surprised to see Pablo Larrazabal contending once again. The Spaniard is playing the best golf of his career, with four victories in 15 months. And he is a former winner of this event too.

BMW International Open Tournament Winners

It was won in 2015 by Pablo Larrazabal, in 2016 by Henrik Stenson, in 2017 by Andres Romero, in 2018 by Matt Wallace, in in 2019 by Andrea Pavan, in 2021 by Viktor Hovland. And last year by Li Haotong. There was no tournament in 2020 because of the pandemic.

The Course

Golfclub München Eichenried is a par 72 that measures 7,284 yards. It was designed by Kurt Robknecht and opened in 1989. It is a parkland course that features many streams and ponds, two half-island greens and 90 bunkers.

Form Guide

Pablo Larrazabal had gone three years without a win but then claimed two titles in five weeks last year and has carried on with that form in 2023, winning the Korea Championship in April and the KLM Open last month. With his first title tucked under his belt, it will be fascinating to see how Tom McKibbin progresses. It is also difficult to overlook Adrian Meronk. Having become the first Pole to win on the DP World Tour, he is now looking like a shoo-in to become the first man from Poland to tee it up in the Ryder Cup.

BMW International Open Picks & Tips

To win:

Pablo Larrazabal. Enjoying the form of his life

Each way:

Adrian Meronk. Fabulous short game

Each way:

Tom McKibbin. A superstar in the making

Five To Follow

Pablo Larrazabal. So impressive this year

Adrian Meronk. Impressive in everything he does

Tom McKibbin. Wonderful temperament

Victor Perez. Heading to Marco Simone

Rasmus Hojgaard. Brilliant iron player

Five Outsiders To Watch

Oliver Wilson. You never know what you are going to get

Nicolas Colsaerts. Still a proper ball striker

Hurly Long. Long by name, Long by Nature

Eddie Pepperell. Getting there, slowly but surely

Alexander Levy. Waers his heart on his sleeve