May 09, 2020: Joost Luiten posted a six-under-par round of 66 for a two-shot victory in the inaugural edition of the BMW Indoor Invitational powered by TrackMan.
The Dutchman finished top of a leaderboard featuring 18 European Tour players in the first of five events in the new series of virtual golf tournaments using the latest simulator technology.
As a result, he claimed the first prize of €10,000 towards a charity of his choice, with the six-time European Tour winner opting to split the proceeds between his own charity, the Joost Luiten Foundation, and Eramus Medical Centre, a hospital in his native Rotterdam which has been on the front line in the battle against Coronavirus.
Luiten and the rest of the field, which included former World Number Ones Martin Kaymer and Lee Westwood, competed virtually over the Old Course at St Andrew’s from their own homes in the one round, 18 hole stroke play event.
Luiten birdied the fifth, eighth and ninth holes in a front nine of 33, before picking up further shots on the 12th, 14th 15th and 16th holes. He then carded his only bogey of the day on the 18th after failing to get up and down from the Valley of Sin.
The 34-year-old finished two shots clear of Frenchman Damien Perrier who fired seven birdies in his opening 14 holes but then carded three consecutive bogeys from the 15th in a four-under-par round of 68.
Luiten was also pleased to be able to claim the first prize for his two charities, with each of the five tournament winners in the BMW Indoor Invitational powered by TrackMan receiving $10,000 towards good causes of their choice.
Luiten’s fellow Dutchman Wil Besseling shared the third position with Poland’s Adrian Meronk on three under par, with France’s Mike Lorenzo Vera, Spain’s Adri Arnaus and England’s Laurie Canter tied for fifth on two under par.
It’s always special to win but I’m really proud we can give this money to good causes and every little helps
Meanwhile, German Kaymer, the two-time Major Champion, joined Austrian Wiesberger in the interactive feature group. Wiesberger edged the contest with a level par round of 72, while Kaymer carded a two-over-par round of 74.
Wiesberger said: “It was good fun. It was nice to interact with Martin although I can assure you it wouldn’t normally be like that in a tournament! Martin is a great guy so and I enjoyed playing St Andrews, my favorite course, with him on the indoor TrackMan set up.
European Tour Release
