PressClub Global · Article.
2018 BMW TrackMan Open: Amateurs and pros from 71 nations take part in the global golf competition.
Wed Dec 05 11:05:28 CET 2018 Press Release
Der US-Amerikaner Chris Killmer (Offene Kategorie) und Tzu-Chi Lin aus Taiwan (Damen) sind die Sieger der BMW TrackMan Open 2018, einem innovativen und globalen Turnier-Format, das von Mai bis Oktober weltweit ambitionierten Golfspielern jeder Spielstärke offen stand. Insgesamt 120.000 US-Dollar Preisgeld wurden bei dem Wettbewerb vergeben, bei dem Zielgenauigkeit digital erfasst und der erzielte Score in Echtzeit übermittelt wurde.
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- Almost 5,400 participants in 2018 BMW TrackMan Open.
- Chris Killmer (USA) wins innovative tournament format.
- Frida Kinhult (SWE) earns invitation to play in the Pro-Am tournament of the 2019 BMW PGA Championship for being best amateur.
Munich. American Chris Killmer (Open Category) and Tzu-Chi Lin from Taiwan (Ladies) are the winners of the 2018 BMW TrackMan Open, an innovative and global tournament format, which was open to globally ambitious golfers of any playing strength from May to October. A total prize fund of 120,000 US dollars was awarded at the competition, at which accuracy was recorded digitally and the score was transferred in real time. The special prize for amateurs – a ticket to the Pro-Am tournament of the BMW PGA Championship – went to the 19-year-old Swede Frida Kinhult, the younger sister of European Tour pro Marcus Kinhult. Among the best-known players to enter the 2018 BMW TrackMan Open were major winners Patrick Reed and Jason Dufner (both USA), as well as multiple European Tour winners Marcel Siem (GER) and Dylan Frittelli (RSA).
The TrackMan is a tablet-sized device for data analysis and evaluating golf shots. It is placed behind the player and uses cameras and radar technology to accurately record such things as distance, club head speed and attack angle. To take part in the BMW TrackMan Open, entrants must complete the “Combine Test”: 60 shots at a total of ten virtual targets, with a maximum score of 100 points.
In total, 5,378 participants from 71 nations submitted 10,388 combine tests in real time during the tournament period. The best result was achieved by Chris Killmer (USA) with a proud 94.0 points. This earned him the overall winner’s cheque for 50,000 US dollars. Each monthly winner received 5,000 US dollars in prize money.
The Ladies competition was won by Tzu-Chi Lin (TPE) with a score of 91.3 points. She was rewarded for her efforts with 25,000 US dollars. The monthly prize money in this category was 2,500 US dollars.
What makes the BMW TrackMan Open so special is the fact that amateurs can go head to head with the pros. 1,524 people from all over the world took this opportunity. The best amateur result of the 2,430 Combine Tests was submitted by Frida Kinhult, who achieved a score of 90.4 points. The young Swede’s impressive performance earned her an invitation to play in the Pro-Am ahead of the 2019 BMW PGA Championship at the Wentworth Club (London, ENG).
“The BMW TrackMan Open combines high tech, digitalisation and networking, and enables amateurs and pros around the world to take on an entertaining yet demanding challenge,” said Christian Masanz, head of BMW Golfsport Marketing. “Congratulations to the winners and many thanks to the almost 5,400 participants. This popularity shows that the expansion of the global BMW golfing involvement with a young, thrilling and innovative format is a great success.”
“We think it’s important to practice with a purpose, with the online tournament BMW TrackMan Open you get a feel of tournament pressure where every shot counts. You can spot your strengths and weaknesses and see where you should focus your practice. With the common passion for innovation and technology, we couldn’t have chosen a better partner than BMW on this project,“ said TrackMan CEO and founder, Klaus Eldrup-Jorgensen.
The popularity of the BMW TrackMan Open was also evident on social networks. Pros and amateurs alike challenged their friends via Facebook and Instagram. 32 pros took on the challenge and entered the competition.