European Tour

BMW International Open 2018

June 21-24

Golfclub München Eichenried, Germany

€2,000,000

June 21-24

Golfclub München Eichenried, Germany

€2,000,000

Round 3

Six-way tie for lead in Germany

Round 1

Round 2

Round 4

Round 1

Round 2

Round 4

June 23, 2018

Home favourite Martin Kaymer is part of a six-way tie for the lead at Golf Club Gut Laerchenhof as the 30th edition of the BMW International Open looks set for a dramatic finish on Sunday.

- Getty Images

“I'm very surprised to be where I am because today was a very scoreable day. I thought there would be some 64s and 65s out there because if you hit the fairways there are plenty of chances, but that wasn't the case, so good for me.``

“I think I hung in there quite well. The middle of the round it almost got away from me. To be up there and have a chance tomorrow, that was the main thing and I think I kept it well together. It was a tough battle but overall it was nice to have everyone around supporting me.”

The two-time Major Champion birdied two of his last three holes to delight the local crowds and sign for a 71 that took him into the leading pack on five under par alongside countryman Maximilian Kieffer, Denmark’s Lucas Bjerregaard, Australian Scott Hend and English pair Chris Paisley and Aaron Rai.

Shot Clock Masters champion Mikko Korhonen of Finland and Chilean Nico Geyger are one shot further back on four under par, with a further 20 players within three shots of the lead.

Bjerregaard and Paisley took advantage of the calmer conditions earlier in the day to post rounds of 67 and 68 respectively, while Kaymer, Kieffer and Rai all signed for rounds of 71 with overnight leader Hend slipping back with a 73 after dropping three shots on the front nine and double-bogeying the 13th.

The German pairing will draw huge crowds on Sunday with Kaymer going in search of European Tour title number 12 alongside countryman Kieffer, who is seeking his maiden win. Paisley – who put together an impressive run of six birdies on the back nine, including four in a row after the turn - is looking for a second win of the season.

“It's always nice to be in contention,`` said Kieffer, ``and it's even more special to do it here. There's a little bit more emotion involved. I could have been three or four better but obviously at the beginning of the tournament if you said you would be co leading going into the final round you would take it.”

Bjerregarrd and Hend are going for career titles number two and three respectively, while Rai is aiming for his first European Tour title after winning three times on the Challenge Tour last season.

“I try not to set too many targets to be honest. Just try and play it for what it is and make smart decisions, not be too aggressive, too emotional, and see where it goes. If it's good enough to put you in this position, it's good enough to continue doing that,” said Rai.