Steve Palmer's free BMW International Open predictions & golf betting tips

When to bet on the BMW International Open

By 6.30am on Thursday

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Where can I watch the BMW International Open

Live on Sky Sports Main Event and Golf from 11.30am on Thursday

Steve Palmer's BMW International Open predictions

Guido Migliozzi
3pts each-way 33-1 Betfair, Power

Thomas Pieters
3pts each-way 20-1 Coral, Ladbrokes

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Steve Palmer's BMW International Open preview

The Open Championship countdown continues in Europe with the BMW International Open – a jolly birdie-fest on a straightforward layout in cloudy but calm Munich.

Patrick Reed was a flopping favourite in the Italian Open last week and the American raider, seeking world-ranking points as the LIV circuit takes a break, makes no appeal as market leader in Germany. The course, which Reed is seeing for the first time this week, does not play to his strengths.

Steve Palmer's top tip

Guido Migliozzi 33-1

Italian Guido Migliozzi is not getting the respect he deserves in the BMW International Open market after his KLM Open triumph last month.

Migliozzi appears one of the likeliest winners of this tournament, but has several names ahead of him in the betting. The 27-year-old is one of the best players on the DP World Tour when he is in possession of his A-game – and the evidence of the last few months is compelling.

Migliozzi signalled a return to form with second place in the China Open at the start of May – and he has hardly put a foot wrong since. Results of 2-24-8-1-22 from his last five events underline the resurgence of the Vicenza man.

Victory came in the KLM Open courtesy of birdies at each of the two playoff holes – enough to see off Marcus Kinhult and Joe Dean – then last week Migliozzi enjoyed himself in his national Open. He improved his round score each day on his way to 22nd place.

Thrilled with equipment changes he has made this year, Migliozzi seems highly likely to get among the birdies again this week on a course which sets up beautifully for him. Last year he arrived at the BMW following missed cuts in the KLM Open and the European Open, yet he still managed to finish tenth in Munich. Only four players outscored him over the weekend 12 months ago.

This time, Migliozzi has jetted to Eichenried in fine fettle, looking for his fifth DP World Tour title. His approach to the 72nd hole when winning the 2022 French Open was arguably the shot of the DPWT season, highlighting the courage of Migliozzi, and he should be a force to be reckoned with in the BMW.

Next best bet

Thomas Pieters 20-1

Belgian bomber Thomas Pieters almost won when he made his return to the DP World Tour in the Soudal Open at the end of May. He lost by a shot on a tight, tree-lined track which restricts him, and it was a tremendous effort to come so close to success.

Pieters is far better suited to Eichenried, where he can open his shoulders and attack, and the LIV Golf regular should be a leading BMW title contender. His LIV form has been encouraging lately, with ninth spot in LIV Miami followed by fifth in LIV Singapore.

Pieters, who plays for the RangeGoats on LIV, has clearly been putting in some hours on the range. His stylish swing has been looking grooved and this six-time DPWT champion has turned up in Germany expecting to threaten the silverware.

Pieters is one of the best players in the field this week – if not the best – and he could go one better than he managed on his last start at Eichenried. That was in 2022 when he was beaten by an inspired Haotong Li in a playoff. 

Course guide for the BMW International Open

• Course Golfclub Munchen Eichenried, Munich, Germany
• Prize money $2.5m ($416,750 to the winner)
• Length 7,347 yards
• Par 72 - four par-fives; ten par-fours; four par-threes
• Field 156 The cut Top 65 and ties qualify for round three
• Highest-ranked players in field (world ranking in brackets) Ryan Fox (63), Keita Nakajima (80), Rasmus Hojgaard (93), Thriston Lawrence (95), Patrick Reed (101)
• Course records - 72 holes 261 John Daly (2001) 18 holes 62 David Feherty (1989, 1990), Steen Tinning (1992), Darren Clarke (1992), Greg Turner (1997), Jose Maria Olazabal (2001), Padraig Harrington (2001), Raphael Jacquelin (2003), Simon Dyson (2005), Rafa Echenique (2009), Haotong Li (2022)
• Course winners taking part Thomas Bjorn (twice), Miguel Angel Jimenez, David Howell, Martin Kaymer, David Horsey, Pablo Larrazabal (twice), Andrea Pavan, Haotong Li, Thriston Lawrence
• When to bet By 6.30am on Thursday
• When to watch Live on Sky Sports Main Event and Golf from 11.30am on Thursday
• Time difference Germany is one hour ahead of the UK and Ireland
• Last week – Italian Open 1 M Siem (125-1), 2 T McKibbin (16-1), T3 S Crocker (75-1), J De Bruyn (500-1), T5 A Arnaus (225-1), J Nicholas (225-1), A Pavan (80-1), A Rozner (45-1), S Sharma (100-1)
• Course type Parkland
• Course overview Eichenried has hosted this event 27 times, most recently from 1997 to 2011, then 2013, 2015, 2017 and from 2019 onwards. The flat, straightforward layout, with four par-fives reachable in two shots, has staged 11 rounds of 62
• Story of last year Thriston Lawrence edged Joost Luiten to claim a fourth DP World Tour title
• Weather forecast Cloudy and calm, with a chance of showers on Sunday. Temperatures peaking at 23C
• Type of player suited to the challenge Eichenried is a doddle for professionals – attacking golf and a hot putter is the route to success
• Key attribute Touch

Steve Palmer's BMW International Open key stat

The last ten champions at Eichenried were winless that year until their BMW International glory

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