The BMW championship is always the biggest event on the DP World Tour but this year it had extra significance as the 12 European Ryder Cup players and their captain took part. In a clever move the 12 players played together over the first 2 days to help the team spirit.
With fog delaying the start for the first two days play continued right up until darkness. As the light faded on the Friday 11 of the 12 players were making the cut comfortably, the one struggling.... Rory McIlroy. Europe's star player had a very mixed first two days and with 4 holes to play on Friday he was +1 with the cut projected to be -1. With holes 17 and 18 both being par 5s there was a strong possibility he could still do it. He made a brilliant birdie on 15 followed with a par at 16. He hit the perfect tee shot on 17 but trying to hit the green with an iron in his hand didn't work out. He ended up short and right. He would end up making a good par with just 18 to go. Again the perfect tee shot was hit with an iron needed to reach the green. The light was very low now but a great iron shot lead to a good 2 putt and the cut made.
The competition was being led by Europe's surprise pick Ludvig Aberg. He continued his great form on Saturday to take his lead into Sunday. Sadly the last group on Sunday which also included Tommy Fleetwood had a poor day and would drop out of contention. It was another European star that would look set for victory. Tyrell Hatton was flying and with 6 holes to go had a1 shot lead over the field. A poor tee shot on 15 would lead to a bogey and leave the door open to Ryan Fox. He produced his own unbelievable round as he started 3 shots back and then made a triple bogey on the 3rd. After that it was near perfection with some brilliant iron shots that would take him to a 1 shot victory.
In the end 10 of the 12 European plays finished -10 or better, the team is going into the Ryder Cup in great form.
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