-
Sergio García, two-time winner Pablo Larrazábal
and
Rafa Cabrera-Bello to tee off in Munich. -
Tough opposition for defending champion Henrik Stenson at
the BMW International Open (21st to 25th
June). - Tickets available at tickets.bmw-golfsport.com.
Munich. Spanish golfers have often played a starring role in
the history of the BMW International Open, which now spans almost 30
years. And the Spanish armada could add another chapter to its
success story at Golfclub München Eichenried this year, as three top
Spanish players have confirmed they will be playing at Germany’s
most iconic tournament in 2017: Sergio García, Pablo Larrazábal and
Rafa Cabrera-Bello. World number five Henrik Stenson (SWE) announced
back in December that he would be defending his title in June.
“I can’t wait to come back the BMW International Open in Munich,”
said García. “It will be a great tournament week, and I am looking
forward to playing in front of a great crowd in Eichenried. The BMW
International Open is a great tournament with a special atmosphere and
has been one my personal highlights for many years.”
The BMW International Open is still missing from the collection of
titles amassed by the world number ten. This may be set to change in
June, as García has started the season in sparkling form, claiming his
first European Tour victory since 2014 at the Dubai Desert Classic.
The five-time Ryder Cup winner was involved in a memorable play-off
with his compatriot Pablo Larrazábal in Munich in 2011. Many
spectators who were there at the time still regard this intense,
five-hole battle as the highest-quality play-off in the tournament’s
long history.
Larrazábal came out on top back then, with the 33-year-old adding a
second title two years ago. This June, he returns to Eichenried as the
last man to win in Munich, as Stenson’s victory last year – his second
after winning the 2006 BMW International Open – came in Cologne. There
is more than just victory at stake this year for Stenson and
Larrazábal: each with two wins to their name, they are level with Paul
Azinger (USA, 1990 1992) and Thomas Bjørn (DEN, 2000 2002)
as the record winners of the BMW International Open, and are hungry to
make it a title treble.
Rafa Cabrera-Bello still has some way to go if he is to achieve this
feat, but the big-hitting Spaniard is in the form of his life this
season, and comes into the tournament as one of the top favourites.
Following an excellent 2016, Cabrero-Bello made an impressive Ryder
Cup debut in the US. He was the only European to remain undefeated at
Hazeltine National Golf Club, and impressed alongside García in the
doubles. The Spaniard is definitely a force to be reckoned with at the
2017 BMW International Open.
Admission is free from Wednesday to Friday, while under 15s enjoy
free entry on all days. Tickets for the weekend and the Fairway Club
can be ordered online: tickets.bmw-golfsport.com
Click on the following link to see a video with Sergio Garcia talking
about his start at the BMW International Open 2017:
https://facebook.com/BMWGolfsport/videos/10155179695992188/