Niall Lyons has picked out five tips for the upcoming BMW International Open this week in Munich.
BMW International Open 2024
The BMW International Open will be hosted in Golfclub Munchen Eichenreid, Munich, Germany. There have been many ways to skin this cat down the years but a solid ball striking game to hit plenty of greens in regulation looks the key to success.
There isn't a whole pile of room off the tee and although scores will be low here they'll need to be made from the cut and prepared and those struggling with the driver will find it difficult to get into the conversation here.
There is little doubt a hot putter helps around this venue with 13 of the 24 top 5 and ties here down the last three years ranking in top 15 in putting for the week.
Combine that with a solid tee to green game and you've got the perfect recipe to score around track.
BMW International Open Tips
- 4pts WIN R.Fox 22/1 Betfred, BetVictor
- 1pt each-way S.Crocker 50/1 (1/5 8) Bet365 8 place market
- 1pt each-way B.Stone 75/1 (1/5 8) Bet365 8 place market
- 0.75pt each-way A.Arnaus 125/1 (1/5 6) Unibet, Betuk
- 0.75pt each-way M.Schwab 150/1 (1/5 7) Paddypower
Here are the key stats for the top finishers (including ties) in the last three renewals of the BMW International Open.
Ryan Fox at 22/1
A few weeks ago we backed Matt Wallace dropping down in grade and although it didn't go to plan he played well and was in the mix for the final 18.
Nothing is guaranteed in this sport but on this tour especially those dropping down from the PGA Tour must be closely watched and for that reason I'm happy to play Ryan Fox who I believe should be joint favourite here, and possibly even shorter than Patrick Reed.
Fox's latest effort at the Rocket Mortgage was a lowly 67th but he ranked inside the top 30 off the tee which is one positive he can to Munich this week.
You'd prefer everything to perfect for him backing around this mark, but it isn't, nevertheless a repeat of his 4th at Myrtle Beach of his 7th in the Canadian Open would go very close to winning this event. 26th, 14th and 3rd on his three appearances here bodes well and I'm more than happy risking him overcoming a field of this strength.
4pts WIN R.Fox 22/1 Betfred, BetVictor
Sean Crocker at 50/1 (Eight Places)
Sean Crocker has hit form these past couple of weeks and Eichenreid should present enough opportunities for him score well once again and get into the mix over the weekend in Munich.
That's exactly what he did in Italy last week when finishing one shot outside of the playoff between McKibbin and Siem. That was following 21st at the KLM Open where he played well through the bag.
Crucially he has ranked inside the top 20 in tee to green performance the last two weeks and also has found form on the greens ranking 19th and 14th the last two weeks.
That is a potent combination around this track as we can see from the tables above and it's encouraging he has made his last three cuts here, including his first top 20 here last year.
He looks a fair price given the golf he has produced these last few weeks and he can give the favourites a scare.
Brandon Stone at 75/1 (Eight Places)
One who retains a lot of talent and has the capability of winning more on this tour is Brandon Stone and anything of 66/1 or above is interesting.
The South African has had a bit of a roller coaster career but it's worth noting that his last top 20 here back in 2022 was preceded by a 5th place in the European Open.
Last week 10th at the Italian Open was a solid effort and may prove to be a springboard to another fine effort here having finished 10th at Echenreid back in 2013 also.
A warmer putter last week would have had him closer to the winning line and a repeat of his top 10 performance from tee to green could grant him another DPWT victory on Sunday.
Adri Arnaus at 125/1 (Six Places)
Adri Arnaus hasn't hit the heights that many thought he would when he landed on tour a few years ago but after a difficult period he has the capability to get things back on track having gathered a few war wounds.
Worryingly his driving distance has fallen through the floor in the past six months without his accuracy improving.
However he retains the ability to hit a long ball and Eichenreid will present opportunities with four par 5s.
He ranked 19th in driving distance last week in Italy and although he didn't fire with his irons he did top the putting stats for the week on route to his first top 5 finish in 16 months.
This track will give him chances and should he drive the ball as well as he did last week then he could continue that form.
Matthias Schwab at 150/1 (Seven Places)
Matthias Schwab hit some very welcome form last week with the long game and at 150/1 looks a little big to reproduce a similar effort here in Munich.
He missed three cuts on the spin after his top 10 in China but his effort in Italy suggests his ceiling is higher than many people think and I'm happy to play a little into that volatility this week.
He had every chance to win here back in 2019 when finishing 3rd and another solid top 30 finish in 2021 means he has posted eight under par rounds here on the trot.
Having rolled into some form last week he looks worth risking at a decent price.
