Michael Holik Clinches BMW International Open Title with Stunning Final Hole Eagle
Michael Holik secured the BMW International Open title on Sunday, concluding the tournament with a remarkable eagle on the final hole. This impressive feat also allowed YouTuber Brad Dalke to finish in the top 30, solidifying a noteworthy debut on the DP World Tour.
The day began with high hopes for fellow South African Hennie du Plessis, who held the lead after Holik stumbled with a missed par putt on the 16th, momentarily trailing by three strokes before a bogey on the 17th provided du Plessis a glimmer of hope.
Holik quickly regained momentum by birdieing the 17th hole. His phenomenal approach shot on the last hole set up a 20-foot eagle opportunity, which he converted flawlessly. He recorded a final round score of 67 to finish the tournament at 18 under par.
In reflecting on his performance, Holik remarked on the importance of maintaining focus. He attributed his success to a calm demeanor throughout the day and a consistent strategy: “When you start making some birdies, it’s easy to think too far ahead. I told my caddy, Dave, that I wanted a chance to win on the back nine.”
The outcome was particularly devastating for du Plessis, who finished second with a score of 17 under par. He had made seven birdies in his final round of 66 but suffered from a critical mistake on the 17th hole. Even after his missed birdie putt on 18, he could have reasonably expected to force a playoff, finishing just one stroke shy of victory.
Austrian golfer Bernd Wiesberger claimed third place with a score of 14 under, while French player Oihan Guiramondegui and Mexico’s Carlos Ortiz tied for fourth at 12 under. England’s Marco Penge and Joe Dean rounded out the top ten at nine under.
Dalke’s Performance: From Contender to 30th Place
Unfortunately, Dalke’s momentum faltered in the subsequent rounds. He shot a disappointing 75 in the third round, with five bogeys, and ended the tournament with a 1-over 73 on Sunday, finishing at 5 under par. A particularly challenging moment came on the par-5 11th hole, where he found himself in the water twice, resulting in a triple bogey.
Despite the setback, the 28-year-old’s earlier achievements as a junior golfer remain noteworthy. He claimed victory at the 2015 Junior PGA Championship and was runner-up at the U.S. Amateur the following year, earning spots in both the 2017 Masters and U.S. Open, though he did not qualify for the cut in either event.
Dalske looks forward to continuing his career with a scheduled appearance at the upcoming PGA Tour Rocket Classic later this month.
