BMW International Open: Winners
BMW International Open winners claim a substantial prize, which in 2007 totalled an impressive €2 million. This is around the mid-range for champions’ purses on the European Tour and regularly helps to attract some of the world’s top golfers.
The inaugural BMW International Open, held in 1989, was won by Northern Ireland’s David Feherty, one of five wins on the European Tour for the now retired golfer.
Only two men have ever been crowned as champions more than once at the BMW International Open, and no-one has ever successfully defended their title.
American Paul Azinger won here in 1990 and 1992, while Denmark’s Thomas Bjørn had his name added to the list of BMW International Open winners in 2000 and 2002.
Of the 17 previous champions, 12 have been Europeans, with only five non-Europeans ever having won the event (although Azinger has won twice).
Interestingly, of the previous 12 European champions, six have come from Britain’s home countries, while a further four are Scandinavians.
Swede Robert Karlsson is the tournament’s youngest winner at 27 years, 362 days, while Zimbabwe’s Mark McNulty (who is now an Irish citizen) is the oldest of all previous champions at 40 years, 286 days.
Both David Feherty in 1989, and Sandy Lyle in 1991, claimed wire-to-wire victories, while American John Daly holds the record for the lowest winning score, having shot a 27-under-par 261 to win the 2001 tournament.
Here is a complete list of past BMW International Open winners:
- 2007 – Niclas Fasth – Sweden
- 2006 – Henrik Stenson – Sweden
- 2005 – David Howell – England
- 2004 – Miguel Ángel Jiménez – Spain
- 2003 – Lee Westwood – England
- 2002 – Thomas Bjørn – Denmark
- 2001 – John Daly – USA
- 2000 – Thomas Bjørn – Denmark
- 1999 – Colin Montgomerie – Scotland
- 1998 – Russell Claydon – England
- 1997 – Robert Karlsson – Sweden
- 1996 – Marc Farry – France
- 1995 – Frank Nobilo – New Zealand
- 1994 – Mark McNulty – Zimbabwe
- 1993 – Peter Fowler – Australia
- 1992 – Paul Azinger – USA
- 1991 – Sandy Lyle – Scotland
- 1990 – Paul Azinger – USA
- 1989 – David Feherty – Northern Ireland
