Fleetwood Set To Jump Straight Into The BMW International Open Fast Lane

Tommy Fleetwood is set to jump straight into the  30th BMW International Open fast lane when the event tees off tomorrow at the Gut-Larcenhof course at Pulheim, Germany.

The World No. 10 ended last week at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in some style after recording his best result in a Major Championship, with a final round 63 that equalled the record for the lowest round at a U.S. Open and the lowest score on the final day of a Major, to finish just one shot behind Brooks Koepka.

The 27 year old is relishing the busy summer ahead, starting with his seventh appearance at the BMW International Open. Fleetwood finished in sixth place at this event last season on the way to topping the Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex, and he has emphasised the importance of a good routine as he aims to stay on track for another memorable year.

World No. 10 Tommy Fleetwood set to jump straigh into the BMW International Open. (Photo – European Tour)

After his scintillating performance on Father’s Day last Sunday, it’s fitting that this week will be another family affair for the Englishman, who has his dad Pete on his bag in Pulhiem.

Local hero Martin Kaymer and last year’s runner-up Sergio Garcia of Spain are also part of a strong field at Golf Club Gut Laerchenhof, which is hosting the event for the fourth time. The two Ryder Cup stars will tee it up alongside the 2018 Italian Open winner Thorbjørn Olesen of Denmark when the action starts on Thursday.

Two-time Major Champion Kaymer lifted the BMW International Open trophy in Munich ten years ago, and he would love to add a second title in the tournament’s 30th anniversary year, as well as making strides towards a place in Thomas Bjørn’s team for the 2018 Ryder Cup in September.

Meanwhile 2017 Masters Tournament champion Garcia is aiming to go one better than his second-place finish behind Andres Romero last year, after previously losing out in a play-off against countryman Pablo Larrazabal in 2011.

Player quotes

Tommy Fleetwood: “This year in particular we kind of knew at the start of the year, it’s going to be a busy year, and I know now that I’ve really got very little time off up until past September, nearly October now.  Rest is important; I think eating well. I generally eat very well and I look after myself, which is going to be massive in a really busy year.

“Just to have a week like that (at the U.S. Open), the Sunday was an amazing day, just because it was my first-ever Father’s Day, and I got so, so, close to making my little piece of history. But all in all, at the end of 72 holes, I was up there again in a Major and there was a lot of positives to take from it.

“I’m very grateful for all the good things that are happening at the moment. I have my dad caddying this week. My wife and baby, they come ought at the weekend or a little bit later.

“Being a dad definitely makes a difference to your outlook on life. I think my approach to just the intensity of golf, it’s easy to switch off. It’s easy to, whether you play good or bad, it’s much easier to just go home and puts things into perspective. I think in all it’s been very good so far, and of course my life off the course is great.”

Martin Kaymer: “BMW, they are doing a great job, not only in Germany, really everywhere in the world we play golf. But I can stay at home and sleep in my own bed, which is quite rare these days, so I take the opportunity to play in Germany. I like playing here. The golf course is presented very well, so I look forward to the week.

“Well, it’s summer. You know, to make some kind of an impact for The Ryder Cup team would be huge. Any tournament that I’m going to play now, it will be important for myself, and obviously trying to win a second title in Germany would be huge.

“I think I’m the only one (from Germany) who won the BMW International Open, but it was on a different golf course. It would be nice to win it on both courses.”

Sergio Garcia: “This has been a good place for me, so hopefully get a bit of good mojo going and get some good momentum. I need it going into the summer, and hopefully we’ll start right here.

“Last year it was in Munich obviously, different golf course, but it was a great BMW International Open, like they all are. Marco (Kaussler) and BMW and the whole team, they do a great job with this event, so I’m excited about it. Hopefully we can have another good run at it. It would be nice to kind of get going a little bit.

“I’ve always enjoyed coming to Germany, playing here. It’s always been good fun. We’ve been fortunate to do quite well. I haven’t been able to win it yet, but it’s something that I’d love to do, and I will hopefully give it a good shot this week. The course is great. The course is probably the best shape I’ve seen it since we started playing here. I think I’ve done well on this course before in the past.”

  • Thanks to European Tour.


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