Skip to content

BMW International Open betting preview: Thomas Bjorn backed for victory

Thomas Bjorn: Failed to register a victory during 2014
Image: Thomas Bjorn: Looking to build on a strong couple of performances.

The BMW International Open returns to Golfclub Eichenreid and marks the start of a fantastic run of European Tour events, one which will take us all the way through to the Open Championship at St Andrews.

Due to the stature of the tournament and the status held by BMW – among golf’s most loyal sponsors – last week’s US Open has made little impact on the quality of the field.

Henrik Stenson and Martin Kaymer are the headline acts, each having won the event at this course previously, but they’re followed in the betting by most of the European Tour’s most able stalwarts. The likes of in-form Rafa Cabrera-Bello, the ever-improving Shane Lowry, Joost Luiten and Bernd Wiesberger ensure that we are in for a real treat in Germany.

Several of those named were at Chambers Bay last week and recovering in time won’t be easy, but if anyone can manage it then Stenson would get my vote. He’s done something similar before and nearly won the event last year, losing a play-off just days after a top-five finish at Pinehurst.

More from Bmw International Open 2015

Still, at 15/2 he can be left alone with Thomas Bjorn considered a better bet.

Twice a winner in this event and both times at this course, the Dane almost always produces the goods in Germany. Last year he was eighth at Gut Larchenhof while last time the event was played here, he was just a shot shy of forcing a play-off with a top-form Ernie Els.

More recently, Bjorn’s short-game has looked in good shape as he chased a top-15 at Wentworth with a top-25 in Sweden and back at a course he knows and loves, a big performance is expected.

It’s a slight surprise to see Camilo Villegas in the field but this PGA Tour regular could make a splash at a big price.

Camilo Villegas - US Open R1
Image: Camilo Villegas: Had a mixed week at Chambers Bay last time out.

The Colombian won the Wyndham Championship last summer and while short of the form that saw him win top-grade PGA Tour events some five years ago, there have been some encouraging signs recently including a top-20 finish in Memphis prior to the US Open.

Villegas is a quality ball-striker effectively stepping down in grade and if he enjoys his share of luck on the greens, he’ll go better than the odds imply.

John Hahn gained notoriety for shooting a 58 at Qualifying School last winter and thanks to a sixth-place finish in the Lyoness Open two weeks ago he arrives here in fine form.

Live European Tour Golf

The American can take inspiration from the exploits of several of his compatriots in Europe including Daniel Im, who won on the Challenge Tour a week prior to Hahn’s best European Tour effort so far. Our man missed plenty of chances in Austria as well, so if the putts drop this time he could make a splash at fancy prices.

So too could Matt Nixon, who is best supported in the top-20 finish market as well as to lead after the first round.

Nixon carded an opening 65 here two years ago and has managed to finish on the fringes of the top-20 in each of his last three appearances in the BMW International Open. More recently he’s been playing well, mid-division despite an awful start in Ireland before better performances in Austria and Sweden.

Finally, Peter Hanson is worth keeping a very close eye on.

Peter Hanson of Sweden walks along the third fairway on day one of the Nordea Masters at the PGA Sweden National.
Image: Peter Hanson: Without a top ten finish in the past 18 months

The former Ryder Cup player has fought hard to overcome injuries and the very recent signs are that he’s on the brink of a return to something approaching peak form.

Hanson was 27th at Wentworth and 13th in Sweden, both the product of superb ball-striking, and as a multiple European Tour winner has the class to contend even in a field as deep as this one.

Watch the BMW International Open live throughout the week live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf

Get a Sky Sports Week Pass
Get a Sky Sports Week Pass

Catch an amazing 4 days of Golf for just £10.99 with NOW TV - no contract required!

Around Sky