Martin Kaymer ahead of the BMW International Open: "You shouldn't hold back"

Since Martin Kaymer switched to the LIV Tour, he has rarely been available to German golf fans. The BMW International Open is an annual exception, as the man from Mettmann likes to come to Munich-Eichenried regularly. When you hear him talk about the tournament, which he was the only German to win so far in 2008, his participation comes as no surprise. "The BMW International Open is simply always a great event. It starts with the hotel, food, drink, the driving service and the golf course and doesn't really end there. That's why it's an event that I always enjoy playing in."

Of course, that goes down like oil for organizer BMW. Even more than praise from the two-time major winner would help the tournament if he were to perform well on the Par 72 course. After "frustrating" years, the omens are better than they were recently. Kaymer feels "good", he said in his pre-tournament press conference. "I've trained well over the last few weeks and have also had a few good results," he said, alluding to 18th and 8th place at the last LIV tournaments.

Martin Kaymer before the start of the BMW International Open

With his wife Irene Scholz on his bag, Kaymer will form an all-German flight alongside Marcel Siem and Nicolai von Dellingshausen for the first two rounds. Much to the delight of the 40-year-old. "It's always a nice atmosphere. We know that many people will follow our group again." Until then, it is important to prepare optimally, even if he knows the course inside out. As Kaymer only flew to Germany from Dallas, Texas, on Tuesday, he only has one practice round left with the Pro-Am tournament on Wednesday. But apart from the extended tee shot on the 18th, the 2014 US Open winner will find the same course at Golfclub München-Eichenried as last year. "I know the golf course here very well," confirms Kaymer. "I've had many great moments here in my career. Especially when I won here in 2008, of course."

"It's a golf course that offers a lot of opportunities, but where you can also quickly make a Bogey here and there," is how Kaymer characterizes the course. "Generally speaking, the scoring has been relatively good every year. But that also says a lot about the field of participants. There are good pros here. You don't need to hold back on Thursday. You have to play forward from the start and try to make Birdies."

Hope for excitement in Munich-Eichenried

"Playing forward" is also his self-declared goal. "That doesn't have to mean playing aggressively. You shouldn't hold back." Away from sporting ambitions, it's about "simply having a good week. I've always had that here, simply because of everything the event has to offer. Without going into details, Kaymer then gave a little insight into what he wants and hopes for at the BMW International Open: "It's always nice when you're not leading on Saturday, but four or five shots behind. That gives me a good feeling. Then you go out on Sunday and wait and see what happens on the first nine holes. Not just for you, but also for the others. That can be super exciting. Those are the feelings and emotions I'm looking forward to and I hope it happens." He is certainly not alone in this hope.