BMW International Open 2025 Preview, Picks & Analysis

In every Ryder Cup team there is almost always somebody you would never have picked at the start of the season. Two years ago it was Ludvig Aberg.

This time around it just may be Norway’s Kristoffer Reitan, who is currently enjoying a sensational run of form - and is not afraid to go REALLY low. As a fourball partner it is difficult to imagine anybody you would rather be alongside right now, and he will be looking to further stake his claim at this week’s BMW International Open at Golfclub Munchen Eichenried in Munich.

The 27-year-old had a successful amateur career and won the Valderrama Boys Invitational, Italian International U16 Championship, Skandia Junior Open and the Junior Orange Bowl. As part of the national team he represented Norway at the European Young Masters, European Boys Team Championship and the European Amateur Team Championship.

In 2014, he won the Junior World Cup with Viktor Hovland. He teamed up with Hovland again four years later for the Eisenhower Trophy, where they finished fifth. He also represented Europe at the 2018 Junior Ryder Cup and 2018 Bonallack Trophy and won the 2016 Jacques Leglise Trophy. 

Reitan signed a letter of intent to play college golf for the University of Texas but later decided to forego college and turn professional instead

Still a 20-year-old amateur, Reitan secured a spot at the 2018 US Open through the Walton Heath sectional qualifier, to become the first Norwegian to play in the tournament.

Reitan turned professional after he earned the 26th card at the 2018 DP World Tour qualifying school, the only amateur to earn a card.

In his rookie season his best finish was a tie for fifth at the ISPS Handa World Super 6 Perth in Australia, where he shared the lead after round one. He ended the season 141st in the rankings, retaining conditional status.

He tied for fifth at the 2020 Italian Open but went on to lose his card. 

In 2024, after joining the Challenge Tour, he was was third at the Open de Bretagne, runner-up at the Swiss Challenge and won the Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final to graduate to the DP World Tour by finishing seveth in the rankings.

In April 2025, he was runner-up at the Hainan Classic in China, three strokes behind Marco Penge. In May, he claimed his first DP World Tour title, at the Soudal Open. Starting the final round nine strokes off the lead, Reitan shot a course-record 62 and posted 13-under for the tournament to ultimately enter a three-man playoff. Reitan birdied the second extra hole to defeat Darius van Driel and Ewen Ferguson. There was also a 60 in the final round of the Austrian Open, where he finished joint second.

It is Ferguson who will be defending this week. Last year he secured his third DP World Tour title, winning the BMW International Open in Munich by two strokes and, in the process, landing a coveted place at The Open Championship at Royal Troon.

It was the Scot’s his first victory since 2022 after a series of near-misses and was achieved with a four-under-par final round of 68, taking him to 18 under overall. 

"I honestly can't believe it," Ferguson said. "The last four holes I felt like I was in a dream, I just didn't think this was actually happening. It was crazy.

"I was hitting it so well, I was hitting it so much further than usual. I wanted to do it for my dad, my mum, my sister, my brother at home. I love them so much and every shot I hit I hit with them in mind.

"The exemption with this is so much weight off my shoulders. I'm so happy. Teeing it up in Troon, the Open Championship is a tournament that everyone wants to play in and I feel like I could do well there and the Scottish Open next week too."

Englishman Jordan Smith, who jointly led with Ferguson overnight, and Australian David Micheluzzi shared second.

Ferguson's compatriot Connor Syme tied for fourth place on 14 under along with England's Matthew Southgate.

Only two Scots, Sandy Lyle and Colin Montgomerie, had previously won this tournament and Ferguson became the first Scottish player to win a DP World Tour event since Robert MacIntyre's Italian Open victory in 2022.

There will be plenty of interest in the performance of Sergio Garcia, who has renewed his DP World Tour membership. The Spaniard will tee off at Germany’s only current DP World Tour event for the 14th time.

He last played at the BMW International Open in 2022 but has yet to lift the trophy in Munich and would love to add to his 16 DP World Tour and 11 PGA Tour wins.

He has finished second twice in 2011 and 2017 and, together with Pablo Larrazabal, created one of the highlights of the tournament's 36-year history in 2011.

Over five extra holes, the two Spaniards went head-to-head in a playoff that was both dramatic and top class, and one that those who had the privilege of witnessing live will no doubt never forget.

"I’m really looking forward to returning to the BMW International Open. This tournament and the golf fans, who have always given me their whole-hearted support there, have always meant a great deal to me," said Garcia.

"I have great memories of Munich and am looking forward to competing with a first-class international field, including the top German players."

He will be joined by fellow Masters champion and LIV golfer Patrick Reed. Reed made his debut at the BMW International Open last year and finished in joint 13th place. After three rounds the Texan was just two shots behind the leader but a closing 73 saw him lose ground.

However, Reed still has very fond memories of the week in Munich and said: "The 2024 BMW International Open was the third BMW tournament that I teed off at, after the BMW Championship in the USA and the BMW PGA Championship in London.

"All three tournaments are events with fantastic organisation and an amazing atmosphere. I’m looking forward to experiencing that again this year and will give it my all to win this title that is rich in tradition."

Both Garcia and Reed are known for their performances in the Ryder Cup, with Garcia the record points-scorer with 28.5 across his ten appearances.

Reed earned himself the nickname Captain America as an emotive member of Team USA and his singles match against Rory McIlroy at the 2016 edition in Hazeltine is unforgettable and regarded as one of the best ever played in the event.

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, in 2022 by Li Haotong, in 2023 by Thriston Lawrence and last year by Ewen Ferguson. There was no tournament in 2020 because of the pandemic.

The Course:

Golfclub Munchen 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:

Kristoffer Reitan is in the form of his life. He won the Soudal Open with a final round of 62 and went even better at the Austran Open, closing with a 60 to secure second place. To say he is full of confidence is something of an understatement!

How to Watch:

Thursday, July 3-Sunday, July 6, Sky Sports Golf, 11.30am.

Prize Money:

Total prize money is $2.75m, with 3,500 Race to Dubai points and 1,000 Ryder Cup points up for grabs for the winner.

To Win:

Kristoffer Reitan. Makes birdies for fun

Each Way: 

Sergio Garcia. Still has some game

Five to Follow:

Kristoffer Reitan. Luke Donald will be watching him

Martin Kaymer. Remember him?

Sergio Garcia. Desperate to leave a good impression

Patrick Reed. Feisty

Marco Penge. Never a dull minute