Munich. On a day of shifting fortunes Argentina’s Andrés
Romero stormed through the field to take victory in great style at
the BMW International Open at Golfclub München Eichenried today.
With a round of 65 that included seven birdies in his last 11
holes, Romero finished with a 17-under-par total of 271 to beat three
others by a single stroke and win €333,330. The fact that Sergio
García, the Masters champion and tournament favourite, was among the
three runners-up spoke volumes for Romero’s achievement. The others
were Richard Bland, of England, and Belgium’s Thomas Detry.
“I am really happy to win on the European Tour again after ten
years,” Romero said. “I always felt I had a good chance today once I
birdied the 8th and the 9th. I can now join the European Tour again
and would like to thank BMW for inviting me to play in this fantastic
event. This is a life-changing moment.”
The trophy was presented to the new champion by Oliver Zipse,
member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for
Production, who said: “Congratulations to Andrés Romero on his victory
at the 29th BMW International Open. After four very competitive days
of golf, he came through to beat a world-class field and claim an
impressive win. This exciting Sunday was the fitting conclusion to a
magnificent BMW International Open.
“The event has once again shown why it is one of the most
popular tournaments on the European Tour. I would like to say a big
thank you to everyone who has played a part in making it such a
success: the staff at Golfclub München Eichenried, the many
volunteers, our partners and sponsors, the members of the media and,
above all, the 64,500 golf fans who have come along and enjoyed the
event.”
Romero, 36, who arrived in Germany on the back of a missed cut
at the US Open last week, came into the event ranked No. 837 in the
world. He will now climb significantly up the rankings when they are
announced tomorrow and can relax in the knowledge that he has won his
playing rights on the European Tour until the end of 2019.
García was in a four-way tie for the lead with three holes to
play, only to miss a short putt for par and effectively fall out of
contention. He needed an eagle at the last to force a play-off but
came up just short. He and Bland both had 69s, while Detry had a 66.
Henrik Stenson, one of the favourites, finished in a tie for tenth on
11 under par.
The best placed German was Nicolai von Dellingshausen, who
finished on seven under par after a bogey-free round of 67. “It is
nice to play as part of a field like this,” the Pro Golf Tour player
said. “I probably learned more here than I do any other week of the
year. Nobody can take the experience and the memories away from me.”
There were great memories, too, for his countryman, Max Schmitt,
who took the honours as best placed amateur. He finished on two under
par after a final round of 75.
Once again the BMW International Open surpassed all
expectations. The week started with García, Stenson and Martin Kaymer
good-naturedly competing for the BMW Major Champion Challenge on a
warm and sunny evening at BMW Welt – where the three major champions
brought along their trophies in three iconic cars – and finished in
thrilling fashion in front of 17,000 enthralled spectators.
In between there was the players’ party, where many of the stars
got into the spirit of the evening by dressing in traditional Bavarian
costume, and the chance for fans to get a close look at the major
trophies, as well as Stenson’s Olympic silver medal, on display in the
Championship Village.
It was also a week that witnessed holes in one at the 2nd for
Paul Peterson (USA) and Romero, but that unfortunately secured neither
of them the €140,000 BMW i8 Protonic Frozen Black Edition hole-in-one
award because the feat was achieved on the wrong hole. The prize was
on offer at the 17th.
Now the focus switches to Golf Club Gut Lärchenhof (Cologne) in
a year’s time, when the tournament celebrates its 30th anniversary. It
will be worth the wait.