Golfers Head to Munich After Warming Up at U.S. Open

Munich, June 21 - The BMW International Open will tee off this week at Munich Eichenried Golf Club and the strongest field in the history of the tournament is expected.  No, Tiger Woods won't be coming, but golf fans won't be disappointed with the star power coming to Bavaria this weekend.

Six-time Major Champion Sir Nick Faldo will be making his first appearance of the 2010 season this week.  The former #1 golfer in the world is now the lead golf analyst on US television and a designer of courses, however continues to play on the European Senior Tour.  Sir Faldo will be looking for his first European tour win since 1994.  Germany's most famous golfer Bernhard Langer has yet to win on his home turf, finishing 2nd five times.

Both will be joined by a group of Top Ten golfers who decided to 'practice' this past weekend at The U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.  And it sure was a competitive weekend for those coming to Germany.  Ernie Els finished two strokes behind the eventual champion Graeme McDowell.  Els will be kicking himself as he had a chance to come to Munich with a U.S. Open trophy.  German Martin Kaymer was in contention as well, but couldn't make a move on Sunday.  He won the BMW Open back in 2008, becoming the youngest winner of this event.  Kaymer is Germany's top ranked golfer and will look to reclaim the title this year and prevent last year's winner Nick Dougherty from becoming the first repeat champion.

Others flying over from California will be Miguel Angel Jimenez, Robert Karlsson, Sergio Garcia, and Paul Casey.  Michael Campbell won the U.S. Open back in 2005, but didn't make the cut this year, so he should be well-rested and looking to make his mark in Munich.

The BMW International Open will take place from June 24th till the 27th.  It's the only stop of the European tour in Germany so it is golf fans' one chance to catch the superstars of the sport.