Bernie McGuire, BMW International Open, Munich….
This week is a first occasion Smith has played alongside Europe’s current double Ryder Cup captain since late 2022 when they were grouped, along with Scot Ewen Ferguson, for the opening round of the 2022 Nedbank Challenge in South Africa.
It’s a encounter that Smith vividly remembers but not for all the right reaasons.
Donald, as the then 2023 European Team Captain, posted an opening 65 to be straight into lying second while Smith was at the end of his sixth full season on the DP World Tour and having arrived in South African having just won second Tour event at the Portugal Masters.
JORDAN SMITH GOES FULL CIRCLE IN @LukeDonald COMANY ….
Making a ‘hash of it’ @AfricasMajor to be tied for lead #BMWInternationalOpen @emirates
Read: https://t.co/3rv9lVR7Xy
✅ @TOURMISS @Record_Sport (Bernie ) pic.twitter.com/1EsBduwR4M
— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) July 4, 2025
However you would not have known following Smith’s score of 75 and 10 shots more than Donald.
“I remember being out with Luke a few years back at the Nedbank but it wasn’t of those round I’d like to remember as I made a real hash of it”, said Smith smiling.
Now well over two years on and after two rounds of the 2025 BMW International Open and Smith very proudy walked from playing in the company of Donald here in Munich and headed to the scorer’s hut signing for a eight birdies in a five-under-par 67 and be sharing the clubhouse lead at nine-under par.
“So it was nice to be out there with Luke these last two days and show him what I’m capable of.
“I had quite a lot of chances on the greens coming in, so we just sought to stick to our game plan and standing here really happy finishing the manner we did with five birdies over the closing eight holes”.
In contrast to a the 2022 Nedbank Challenge, Donald disappointinghly faced an early exit after scores of 73 and 72 for a one-over tally.
Smith is currently lying well down at 19th on the European Team rankings but then a win here in Munich and fine showings in both the following two weeks could having Donald thinking back having seen Smith perform close-up today.
