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The Buzz:

This event was the old Smurfit European Open which was played between 1978 and 2009.  After playing at the K Club in Ireland between 1995 and 2007, the event was held at the London G.C. in 2008 & ’09 before it could no longer get a sponsor.  Last year the tournament was brought back with Porsche sponsoring it and being played in Germany.  Last year it was a big deal, they drew a pretty good field but this year with the Ryder Cup just a week away, the importance of this event is small.  Only two Ryder Cup players are in the field, Martin Kaymer and Thomas Pieters.

About the course:

Bad Griesbach is the golfing mecca of Germany.  Located about 60 miles east of Munich, the resort has six 18-hole courses.  The tournament is being held on the Beckenbauer Golf Course.  The course was designed by Bernhard Langer with help from Kurt Rossknechit and opened in 2002.  The course is on the flood plain of the River Rott and features water on 11 holes.  The course is flat and wide open, as not many trees are on the property.  Along with water, sand is another hazard.  Length plays very little as only three par 4s are over 440 yards.  Two of the four par 5s are over 575 yards, so this course really helps players with medium to long power.

Last year the par 71 course played to a 70.45 average meaning that it was over a half a shot under par.  The greens were slow last year so poor putters will have a better chance.  The area has had a lot of rain of late with parts of it under water, which will mean an easy test for the players.  With that in mind it’s probably best in looking at the stats from last year to say those that hit it long, will have an advantage.

Key stat for the players to win this week:

• Even though the event was started in 1978, with no events played between 2010 and 2014 and going to a new course last year, there is no real historical data to help us.  So it’s best to look at the hot index to see who’s game is good right now.
• Last year four of the longest hitters on the European Tour finished in the top-8, so length will help players.
• The leaders also took apart the par 5s, winner Thongchai Jaidee was 7 under on them, while runner-up Graeme Storm was 10 under, 3rd place finisher Pelle Amber was  under and 4th place finisher Scott Hend was 10 under.
• The greens were also easy last years winner Thongchai Jaidee not a top putter.  So it’s fair to say that poor putters can do reasonable on this course as they will make more putts than usual.
• Other than water, the course doesn’t have many hazards that tend to get players.  Yes the course has water and plenty of bunkers but those hazards aren’t enough to prevent low scores.
• The good news despite the region getting a lot of rain in the last couple of weeks, look for perfect conditions this week with all four days being dry and temperatures being in the high 60s