PressClub Canada · Article.
25th BMW International Open: Star line-up at hot Pro-Am ahead of anniversary tournament.
Wed Jun 19 18:56:00 CEST 2013 Press Release
While some of golf’s top stars braved the searing heat in the English Garden yesterday, the biggest names in the field at the 25th BMW International Open ‘warmed up’ with a round at the sun-drenched Golfclub München Eichenried on Wednesday. With temperatures as high as 34 degrees, the focus was not on the score, but rather on having fun. The Pro-Am provided many amateurs with the opportunity to enjoy a round on the Championship Course with the pros. Among those in action were many well-known personalities, keen to show what they are capable of with an iron, wood or putter in their hand.
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Frank Strebe
BMW Group
Munich. While some of golf’s top stars braved the searing heat in the English Garden yesterday, the biggest names in the field at the 25th BMW International Open ‘warmed up’ with a round at the sun-drenched Golfclub München Eichenried on Wednesday. With temperatures as high as 34 degrees, the focus was not on the score, but rather on having fun. The Pro-Am provided many amateurs with the opportunity to enjoy a round on the Championship Course with the pros. Among those in action were many well-known personalities, keen to show what they are capable of with an iron, wood or putter in their hand.
Swapping his boxing gloves for a white golf glove, heavyweight champion of the world Wladimir Klitschko was paired with reigning Open Champion Ernie Els, Champions-League-Winner Hasan Salihamidzic and TV chef Frank Rosin. “It is fantastic to be able to play with a living legend like Ernie,” said the Ukrainian boxer. “I am proud of the fact that I was able to help him find his ball. It is good to see that even the pros slip up now and then, and not just part-time golfers like me. I was able to pick up a couple of tips on how to improve my game from Ernie. I definitely cut a better figure in the boxing ring. Despite this, I still really enjoy playing golf.” Els also enjoyed his round with Klitschko: “Wladimir is a world-famous sportsman. It is great to see that, wherever you go in the world, golf is popular with such big stars from other sports, and that it can bring them together at a tournament like this.”
World number 15 Sergio García’s flight was less boxing-oriented, more football. One of his playing partners was Thomas Müller, an instrumental member of this year’s triple-winning Bayern Munich team. Müller sports the number 25 on the back of his shirt while playing for the record-winning German champions. With the BMW International Open celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, it seemed only fitting that his caddy should wear the same number on his shirt as he negotiated his way around the Championship Course. The Pro-Am taught Thongchai Jaidee a lot about winter sport – a somewhat unknown quantity in his native Thailand. In contrast, Jaidee’s flight partners BMW Sport Ambassador Rosi Mittermaier, downhill star Christian Neureuther and former biathlete Fritz Fischer are undisputed experts in that field.
Although it is set to cool down over the coming days, the crowds at the course – admission is free on Thursday and Friday – can look forward to some hot action when the tournament tees off. The action on the Championship Course gets underway at 07:30 on Thursday. Golf fans in Munich Eichenried will be treated to a feast of top flights. Els, local favourite Marcel Siem and BMW PGA Championship winner Matteo Manassero launch their campaigns at 08:30. BMW Golfsport Ambassador Martin Kaymer tees off at 13:20 at the tournament he won in 2008. He is joined in his flight by big-hitting Dustin Johnson and Henrik Stenson, himself a winner at the BMW International Open in 2006. Maximilian Kieffer, winner of Tuesday’s “TEE Time” opening show event in the English Garden, tees off alongside Miguel Ángel Jiménez and Paul Casey at 08:20.