From exemption into the Genesis Scottish Open and The 152nd Open, there is plenty on offer for players at the BMW International Open as the European Swing reaches a climax this week in Germany.
So far, each counting event on the fourth and penultimate Global Swing on the 2024 Race to Dubai schedule has been won by a European.
With one event left remaining, and factoring in those teeing it up at Golfclub München Eichenried, anyone up to New Zealand's Sam Jones in 31st on the European Swing Rankings can still finish as the Swing champion with 500 Swing points on offer.
With the 2024 Race to Dubai schedule set to transition to the Closing Swing next week, beginning with the Genesis Scottish Open, the incentives for a strong performance among international players and home-grown stars in Germany are not in short supply.
Here, we preview the key questions heading into the finale of the European Swing, recap what is on offer and what has happened so far.
Who is leading the way in the European Swing?
After five of the six counting events, Guido Migliozzi holds a slender lead (14.23 points) over Nacho Elvira at the top of the European Swing Rankings.
Laurie Canter sits third on the standings, while Marcel Siem climbed up to fourth with his victory at last week’s Italian Open presented by Regione Emilia-Romagna.
Tom McKibbin sits fifth after his consistent campaign continued with a play-off defeat to Siem, while Calum Hill, Sebastian Söderberg, Joe Dean, Niklas Norgaard and Bernd Wiesberger complete the top ten.
With 500 points on offer for the winner in Germany, there is opportunity for lots to change with the rewards front of mind.
Who can still win the European Swing?
While any player down to 31st on the European Swing Rankings could qualify, there are 25 players who are still in contention to top the standings, with Laurie Canter, McKibbin, Söderberg, Marcus Kinhult, Shubhankar Sharma, Antoine Rozner and Angel Hidalgo not in action on the DP World Tour this week.
There are only six players in the field who can top the standings without a win. With 334 points available to the player who finishes in second place, only Elvira, Siem, Hill, Dean, Norgaard and Wiesberger would be able to move to the top with a second-place finish.
With 188 points awarded to the player in third place this week, only Elvira, Siem and Hill would be able to move into first place with a top-three finish.
European Swing Rankings - The Top Ten
| Position | Player | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guido Migliozzi | 621.56 |
| 2 | Nacho Elvira | 607.33 |
| 3 | Laurie Canter | 597.43 |
| 4 | Marcel Siem | 522.20 |
| 5 | Tom McKibbin | 500.68 |
| 6 | Calum Hill | 497.83 |
| 7 | Sebastian Söderberg | 417.00 |
| 8 | Joe Dean | 403.55 |
| 9 | Niklas Norgaard | 391.90 |
| 10 | Bernd Wiesberger | 383.81 |
To view the current European Swing standings in full, click here.
What is the Race to Dubai Rankings points breakdown for the top ten finishers
- 500.00 points
- 334.00 points
- 188.00 points
- 150.00 points
- 127.00 points
- 105.00 points
- 90.00 points
- 75.00 points
- 67.00 points
- 60.00 points
What is on offer through the European Swing?
As with the four other Global Swings, including the upcoming Closing Swing, the European Swing will have its own champion who will earn $200,000.
Swing champions will also qualify for each of the Back 9 events, where players will play for increased Race to Dubai ranking points.
The leading DP World Tour member (not otherwise exempt) will also qualify for the Genesis Scottish Open, the second of five Rolex Series events this season.
Currently this is Joe Dean (403.55 points). The most immediate contenders who are also participating in the BMW International Open are Bernd Wiesberger (383.81 points) and Andrea Pavan (272.58 points).
Following the completion of the Global Swings phase of the 2024 Race to Dubai, there is a further $1 million Bonus Pool for the leading ten players on the Race to Dubai who have played a minimum of eight ‘regular’ events outside the Majors and Genesis Scottish Open.
Is qualification into The Open also at stake?
The top five, not otherwise exempt, from the Race to Dubai Rankings (within the top 20) after the BMW International Open get a spot into The 152nd Open at Royal Troon.
As things stand this is:
- Jesper Svensson (6th on the Race to Dubai)
- Laurie Canter (10th)
- Nacho Elvira (11th)
- Matteo Manassero (15th)
- Adrian Otaegui (16th)
The next five nearest challengers are Darius van Driel (18th), Zander Lombard (19th), Dylan Frittelli (21st), Ugo Coussaud (22nd) and Calum Hill (26th).
What has happened so far on the European Swing?
The European Swing opened with the Soudal Open in Belgium, where Elvira won his second DP World Tour title as he parred his final seven holes to hold off the chasing pack at Rinkven International Golf Club.
A week later, Laurie Canter claimed his long-awaited maiden victory on the DP World Tour at the European Open in Germany, before Linn Grant won the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed title for a second time, two years after becoming the first woman to win on Tour.
Guido Migliozzi then became the second Italian to win on the 2024 Race to Dubai after Matteo Manassero with a play-off victory at the KLM Open, while Marcel Siem lifted his sixth piece of silverware on the DP World Tour at last week's Italian Open presented by Regione Emilia-Romagna.
