35th BMW International Open: Golf fans celebrate Langer's group.

+++ Exhilarating start to the 35^th BMW International Open in front of 13,000 spectators +++ German trio Bernhard Langer (-1), Martin Kaymer (-3), and Marcel Siem (-1) as crowd pullers +++ Matthis Besard (BEL, Par, T86) achieves the first hole-in-one of the tournament +++ David Micheluzzi leads ahead of a group of players including Patrick Reed (USA, -5) +++ Already 16,000 euros for “Eagles for Education” +++

Munich. Ten minutes after the first tee-off of the 35th BMW International Open, the time had come. Bernhard Langer started his farewell tournament from the DP World Tour together with Martin Kaymer and Marcel Siem, welcomed, accompanied, and celebrated by hundreds of spectators. With the support of the fans, the German trio managed a solid start to the tournament. Langer and Siem (-1) are in the midfield with under-par rounds, while the only German BMW International Open winner Kaymer (-3) is in tied 12th place after the first round, the best of 17 local players in the field.

Langer visibly enjoyed the round and said, “It was insane, really a fantastic atmosphere. Already at 7:30 a.m., there were hundreds of spectators who accompanied us for the whole 18 holes, and their numbers kept growing. It was a lot of fun to play with Martin and Marcel. I was also a spectator today. It was fun to see how well the guys play.”

Kaymer and Siem were more than impressed with their playing partners. The two-time major winner Kaymer said, “Experiencing the energy of Marcel, who won last week, and the calmness and confidence of Bernhard was great. There's just a nice energy in the group. I would have liked to play a few more holes.”

Siem, who had problems at the beginning of the round, added, “I don't know what was going on at the start. I wasn't actually nervous, I was just looking forward to the round. If Bernhard hadn't been there, I would have been a bit angry but then I looked over at him and thought, 'No, no, don't get upset.' I then fought back well and am very satisfied with the -1 at the end.”

Australian David Micheluzzi can also be particularly pleased with his opening round. The 27-year-old leads the world-class field with a 66-round (-6) after the first day. Just one stroke behind are the 2018 Masters Champion Patrick Reed (USA), Jarvis Casey from South Africa, Ewen Ferguson from Scotland and Englishman Frank Kennedy. Overall, the field is very close together, and the battle for the cut on tomorrow's Friday promises to be extremely exciting.

However, the shot of the day was credited to Matthis Besard (BEL, T87). The Belgian scored a hole-in-one at the 12th hole, circling the ball from 147 metres (161 yards) with a 7-iron into the hole. Had he achieved the feat at hole 17, he would have won this year's hole-in-one vehicle, a fully electric BMW i5 Touring. „ It was a super start to the round. It definitely gave me good momentum. It was a great feeling,” said Besard. “Just a pity that I don't get a car for it. I'm not sure if I'll have the time to celebrate it. Hopefully, I play a good round tomorrow. Maybe on Sunday evening before I go to Kentucky.”

Nevertheless, the hole-in-one not only benefited his own scorecard but also helped a good cause because an ace at a par-3 hole is simultaneously an eagle, and for every eagle during the tournament week, the BMW Group donates 1,000 euros to JOBLINGE and Kick ins Leben, as in the previous year. The Munich organisations are committed to educational equity and equal opportunities for young people. After the first round, the donation amount already stands at 16,000 euros.

The second round of the 35th BMW International Open starts on Friday at 7:30 a.m. The group with Bernhard Langer, Martin Kaymer, and Marcel Siem is due at the first tee at 12:40 p.m. Please refer to the PDF document attached for the complete tee times.