£50,000 raised as European Tour’s indoor charity series ends
What is the BMW Indoor Invitational?
Stars of the European Tour players going head to head in the BMW Indoor Invitational, a series of virtual golf tournaments.
The home-based, 18-hole events, where players play against each other on simulators using TrackMan technology, will take place at St Andrews, Royal Portrush, Golfclub Munchen Eichenried, Real Club Valderrama, and Wentworth.
Who’s won so far?
Joost Luiten won the inaugural event, posting a 6-under 66 around St Andrews’ Old Course for a two-shot win over Frenchman Damian Perrier.
His €10,000 prize will be split between the Dutchman’s own charity, the Joost Luiten Foundation, and Eramus Medical Centre, a hospital in his native Rotterdam.
Scotsman Connor Syme won the second event with an 8-under 64 round Royal Portrush.
The 24-year-old Syme split his winner’s cheque between FoodTrain, which supplies meals to the elderly in Dundee, and Hospice of the Valleys, a charity which provides palliative care.
In week three, Wil Besseling shot a 4-under 69 to secure a two shot victory as the action moved to Golfclub Munchen Eichenried.
The 35-year-old split his winner’s cheque between Doneereenmondkapje (Donate a Protective Mask), which supplies PPE to frontline workers in his native Netherlands, and Bake for Life, a charity close to his heart which creates jobs and sustainable incomes for people in Africa.
It was on to Valderrama for week four, and five players, including home favourites Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrera Bello, finished in a tie for 1st place. Garcia, of course, has won four times at this venue on the real European Tour.
Syme, celebrating a second series win, Matthew Jordan, and Damien Perrier also recorded 1-under-par rounds of 70 to secure a share of the $10,000 prize.
And Besseling was triumphant again in week five thanks to a stunning 7-under-par 65 round Wentworth’s West course.
The Dutchman was helped to victory at the home of the European Tour’s flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship, when Jordan Smith found the water at 18 en route to a 66.
Highlights to follow.
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BMW Indoor Invitational schedule
May 9: St Andrews (Old), Scotland – Won by Joost Luiten
May 16: Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland – Won by Connor Syme
May 23: Golfclub Munchen Eichenried, Germany – Won by Wil Besseling
May 30: Real Club Valderrama, Spain – Won by Sergio Garcia, Rafa Cabrera Bello, Connor Syme, Matthew Jordan and Damien Perrier
June 6: Wentworth (West), England – Won by Wil Besseling
You can view leaderboards on the BMW Indoor Invitational website.
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Alex Perry
Alex has been the editor of National Club Golfer since 2017. A Devonian who enjoys wittering on about his south west roots, Alex moved north to join NCG after more than a decade in London, the last five of which were with ESPN. Away from golf, Alex follows Torquay United and spends too much time playing his PlayStation or his guitar and not enough time practising his short game.
