Following last week’s Suddeutsche Zeitung Meisterschaft, the second stop on the DP World Tour in Europe lands in Hamburg, Germany. The 2024 European Open will take place on May 30 at the Green Eagle Golf Course, with 156 players competing for a share of the $2 million prize purse. This article provides a preview of the event’s highlights.
Toughest Course
The North Course at Green Eagle Golf Club is the longest course on the DP World Tour, stretching 7,882 yards with a par of 73. Renowned as one of the most challenging courses, the best total score in the past three years was -9, an unusual low for professional tournaments.
Defending Champion
Tom McKibbin from Northern Ireland made a significant breakthrough in his career by winning his first DP World Tour trophy at last year’s European Open. This year, he returns to Green Eagle Golf Course to defend his title. Recently, he qualified for the June’s U.S. Open, adding to his excitement. McKibbin believes that this week’s European Open defense will also help him prepare for next month’s major championship: “I’m really looking forward to going to the U.S. Open and seeing how my game stacks up. So, this week should get me into that competitive mindset.”
After securing a spot in the season-ending DP World Tour Championship playoffs last year, McKibbin has had a string of impressive results this season, finishing in the top ten in Japan, South Africa, and Qatar. These achievements have propelled him to 25th place in the Dubai Desert Classic rankings.
Reflecting on how he has adapted to being a DP World Tour champion over the past year, he said, “It’s been good, really good. A lot of things have become easier for me. I can play a little more relaxed, maybe a bit freer. So, I’ve chilled out a bit, and I feel like I’ve handled it well and played some good golf.”
So far this season, McKibbin ranks sixth in driving accuracy, and at 21, he hopes to showcase his strengths once again.
Chinese Trio
Chinese golfers Li Haotong, Wu Ashun, and Chen Guoxin will reunite at the European Open on May 30. They last competed together at the Volvo China Open in Shenzhen during the Labor Day holiday, where both Li Haotong and Wu Ashun finished tied for 35th.
After the Volvo China Open, Li Haotong took some time off. A three-time winner on the DP World Tour, he currently sits at 58th in the Dubai Desert Classic rankings. His performance indicators, such as driving accuracy, distance, and putting quality, have improved compared to the previous season. In the few events he has participated in this season, Li Haotong has placed inside the top 20 in four, including a seventh-place finish at the start of the year in the Dubai Desert Classic. Following a challenging period last year, Li appears to be in solid form this season.
Selected First Round Tee Times (Beijing Time)
Nacho Elvira – 1:50 PM
Danny Willett – 1:50 PM
Ross Fisher – 2:50 PM
Chen Guoxin – 3:00 PM
Tom McKibbin – 6:50 PM
Wu Ashun – 7:10 PM
Edoardo Molinari – 7:20 PM
Niclas Nørgaard Møller – 7:20 PM
Li Haotong – 7:40 PM
(European Tour Golf)