Siem: “The most important week of my year”.

+++ Three South Africans atop the leaderboard +++ Germans make a steady start +++ 25 Eagles in the opening round +++ Friday tee times +++

Munich. The 37th BMW International Open got underway in ideal conditions, with South Africans Jayden Schaper, Hennie Du Plessis (both -8) and JC Ritchie (-7, T3) taking the early lead after the opening round. All three teed off in the morning, when the greens – softened by Wednesday’s rain – were still slightly better to play. In the final group of the day, the only afternoon starter, Antony Quayle (-7, T3) from Australia, managed to catch up with Ritchie. BMW International Open debutant Joaquín Niemann (CHI) carded a first-round 68 (-4) at Golfclub München Eichenried and is well positioned among a group of around 20 players tied on the same score.

The leading German professionals after 18 holes are Matti Schmid and Thomas Rosenmüller (both -3), who is tied for 39th place, followed by Freddy Schott (-2, T67). Schmid played alongside Marcel Schneider and Marcel Siem (both even par, T108) and was followed throughout the round by a large gallery. Siem was dissatisfied with both his score and the distance of his shots, but remains determined and has by no means given up on his dream of winning his home event.

Quotes from the opening round.

Marcel Siem (full interview available as a video in the Virtual Media Center): “The BMW International Open is the most important week of my year. I’ll keep coming back until I win this tournament – even if I have to do it with a walking stick. Now it’s straight to the driving range until my fingers are sore, and then I’ll come out tomorrow ready to attack.”

Jayden Schaper (full interview available as a video in the Virtual Media Center): “It was a very solid round, and it’s always nice to get off to such a good start in a tournament. The conditions this morning were just perfect and definitely allowed for a score like that.”

Matti Schmid: “I got off to a really good start, but the bogey on the fifth knocked me out of my rhythm. I found it again on the back nine. The greens were very soft, and once 100 players have already been through, they become a bit more challenging. Tomorrow morning, with fresh greens, I’m looking to make a move.”

Leaderboard.

https://www.europeantour.com/dpworld-tour/bmw-international-open-2026/leaderboard?round=1

Virtual Media Center.

In the BMW International Open’s central content hub, you will find images, recordings from press conferences, press releases and useful information. You can download all content and use it free of charge for editorial purposes. You can use the Virtual Media Center without registering.
https://virtualmediacenter.com/bmwinternationalopen/

EAGLES FOR EDUCATION.

So far, the pros have scored 25 eagles.

Once again this year, the BMW Group is collaborating with the Philipp Lahm Foundation for Sport and Education through its EAGLES FOR EDUCATION initiative as part of the BMW International Open. The BMW Group is supporting the foundation in organising the Philipp Lahm Summer Camps with a donation of 1,000 euros for every eagle scored, as well as providing on-site support through BMW ambassadors. “Together with the BMW Group, we are working to empower children for the future and for their lives. Children have their whole lives ahead of them – and they are our future,” said Lahm. “Our aim is to provide them with support in three areas: physical activity, healthy eating and personal development.”

Since 2023, through EAGLES FOR EDUCATION, the BMW Group has been using numerous BMW tournaments around the globe to fulfil its responsibilities as a corporate citizen and to contribute to solutions for societal challenges. The focus is on educating and empowering children and young people. The BMW Group is convinced that education is the key to a self-determined future for young people and a cornerstone for social cohesion.

2026 Hole-in-One Award – The new BMW X5 M60e xDrive.
No player has yet managed a hole-in-one on the 17th this year, so the Hole-in-One Award is still up for grabs: the new BMW X5 M60e xDrive, a plug-in hybrid with BMW Motorsport DNA. The new BMW X5 celebrated its world premiere on Tuesday at the BMW Group Plant Spartanburg (USA) and is being presented to the German public for the first time at the BMW International Open.