Niall Kearney, surprising leader in Germany

At the BMW International Open a thin booty for the Azzurri. In Germany, in the European Tour tournament, among the six Italians competing, only Lorenzo Gagli beats the cut, 57 / o with 142 (71 71, -2). Decisive, for the Florentine, a birdie at 18 that allows him to play on the weekend. In Munich nothing to do for Edoardo Molinari, 78 / o with 143 (-1), Renato Paratore, 91 / o with 144 (par), Francesco Laporta and Nino Bertasio, both 112 / i with 146 (+2). Andrea Pavan also leaves the scene. Outgoing champion (he won the tournament in 2019, the competition was not played for Covid in 2020), the Italian was disqualified after a subdued test.

Niall Kearney, BMW International Open

On the course of the Golfclub München Eichenried (par 72) in the middle of the race, at the top of the standings and with a total of 133 (65 68, -11), is Niall Kearney. The Irishman has two shots ahead of a quintet of pursuers - all second with 135 (-9) - made up, among others, by the Austrian Bernd Wiesberger and the Norwegian Viktor Hovland (among the favorites on the eve and 14 / o in the world ranking).

The South African Louis Oosthuizen comes back, from 54 / o to 9 / o with 137 (-7) thanks to a partial of "-5" supported by an eagle and four birdies, however spotted by a bogey. Same score for the German Martin Kaymer, winner in 2008. Among the big names in the race, the Spaniard Sergio Garcia, 57 / o like Gagli, is saved.

Martin Kaymer insisted he was not putting too much pressure on himself on home soil after carding an opening 70 at the 2021 BMW International Open.

The home favourite is a two time Major Champion and former World Number One but his last win was his second Major at the 2014 U.S. Open Championship and he currently sits 99th in the Official World Golf Ranking.

A long awaited victory this week at Golfclub München Eichenried would go some way to moving him back to the very top of the game, but the 36-year-old insists he is willing to be patient.

"I was searching a bit over the last few weeks what it was," he said. "I said to Craig (Connelly, caddie) also, I’m not too far away. Then you miss a cut and think you must be far away. But it didn’t feel like it. My attitude changed a bit in terms of: I don’t need to perform this week. My goal is more mid-term, long-term. I need to get back to the Top 50 in the World, Top 20 and eventually to the Top Ten, Top Five. I need to see it step by step. My main mission is now to play golf and work on the things I work on with my coach in the tournament without focusing so much on the result. I think that attitude takes the pressure away a little bit."

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/369sY9n