There’s a billboard size poster of defending BMW International Open champion Ewen Ferguson on the back of 18th hole grandstand and staring out as it does, over the ninth hole green here at the host Nord Eichenried course on the close outskirts of Munich.
“Yes, it’s a really nice poster and I hear the golfer (starting to smile) is a pretty decent golfer”, said Ferguson.
“It feels really cool to be returning as defending champion and it’s always been a venue I’ve loved coming to”, he said.
“Munich is such a nice city while hotel, the golf course, the tournament infrastructure, the player facilities and everything has always made it is a great pleasure to come back as defending champion and to see your photograph as champion on the billboards is also a nice feeling”.
The billboard size picture of Ewen Ferguson to the back left of the ninth green, and actually on the back on the 18th grandstand of Ewen Ferguson as this week’s BMW International Open
It was looking back a year ago at a leaderboad in a similar location as this now 2025 tournament billboard that inspired Ferguson in eventually making his way to a third DP World Tour in three years.
“What I remember is that when I got to the ninth green I looked at the leaderboard and saw Ferguson and ahead of Pieters and Reed and I thought to myself I can get this done, sure I can”, he said.
“So in seeing I had these great players behind me, I got a buzz out of that and that memory came back to me playing the ninth out there today in the pro-am”.
Now 12 months on from his third Tour victory, Ferguson says he’s feels more comfortable to deal with any hurt the ancient game may deliver him”.
Defending BMW International Open winner Ewen Ferguson (Image – GolfByTourMiss)
“To set yourself up for success you have to experience a bit of failure, I guess”, he said.
“So I know I want to be successful and do better more often, then I may have to set myself up for failure more often like what occurred in Belguium some time back. I was brave enough to get myself right in that position but then sometimes it always doesn’t go your own way.
“Other times you may chip-in on 16 and hole a 20-footer at the last and get it done, and be holding the trophy while other weeks you’ll be standing there saying to yourself ‘how did I lose this?’
“I guess it’s all part of being a professional sportsperson, an individual sportsman. I think I’m good being out here for five years now, to take that disappointment and just move on. So, after five years I now realise that sometimes it’s just not for you.
“So, if I keep working hard and doing the things I need to do then I’ll win more times when I am in contention as I feel like I’m more confident in myself and I’ll feel good in myself”.
Ferguson is one of seven players still in with a chance of winning the European Swing, which would earn him entry into every event on the Race to Dubai’s Second Phase, the Back 9, and a US$200,000 bonus.
At ease in the Bavarian capital in what Ferguson describes as a “feel-good event”, he is hoping he has plenty of reason for cheer as the week progresses with his 29th birthday due on Sunday.
“Confidence is good,” added Ferguson, who will play alongside Patrick Reed and Eugenio Chacarra over the opening two rounds. “I feel good about everything. I’m working on my game. I’ve had a chance to win this year, I’ve had a top five, and I’ve been quite consistent.
“That’s been quite satisfying — even when I’ve played badly, I’ve still kind of managed to put up a decent result.
“So, I know that when it’s going well and I get a hot putter, I’m one to give it a go. So we’ll see what happens.”
