A staple on the Tour formerly known as European since 1989, with the exception of 2020, the tournament returns to its original host venue Golfclub München Eichenried for the third consecutive staging this year.

A number of competitors from last week’s U.S. Open have made the trip to Munich, near the head offices of title sponsor BMW, while there will also be plenty of DP World Tour regulars mixed in with a handful of local talent and some young players getting a start courtesy of invitations.

The honour roll of this event includes some of the biggest names in modern European golf, with seven major winners having claimed success over the tournament’s more than 30 year history.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Rising star Viktor Hovland claimed his first European Tour title here last year in front of a resurgent Martin Kaymer playing in front of a vocal, but small, home crowd.

With Kaymer storming home in 31 on the back nine for a final round 64, Hovland managed a birdie at the par-5 last to maintain a two shot advantage and take the trophy.

RIGHT: Viktor Hovland claimed an historic win for his country at this event last year, but isn't returning to Germany in 2022. PHOTO: Andrew Redington/Getty Images.

Hovland’s victory was part of an impressive year that saw him make his Ryder Cup debut, win twice more (one unofficial victory) and finish the year inside the top-10 of the world rankings. However, the Norwegian, who became the first player from his country to win on the European Tour last year, won’t defend this week.

COURSE: Designed by Kurt Roßknecht, Golfclub München Eichenried came into existence not long before the BMW International Open and instantly welcomed top level golf in the inaugural staging of what was then Germany’s only European Tour event.

Featuring 27 holes, the property is very much of the parkland style, with water hazards and bunkers dotted all over, and a number of greens jutting out into the former to create potential score ruining outcomes.

Heavily tree-lined, the course is updated most years to better challenge the top players, and this year will measure 6,660 metres while playing to a par of 72.

Sandwiched between two birdie holes in the driveable par-4 17th and reachable par-5 18th, the 187 metre par-3 17th is perhaps the greatest test players face when in contention.

Both Kaymer and Hovland bogeyed here last year, and no victory lap is complete until the leader negotiates this one-shotter.

RELATED: So-called expert golf tips for this week

PRIZEMONEY: EUR 2,000,000

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Whether Martin Kaymer turns up will be the first point of interest this week after the two-time major winner withdrew from the U.S. Open last week with injury before getting to Brookline following a decent showing at Centurion during the first LIV event.

Kaymer improved each day in England to finish at three-over par and inside the top-20, for what was far and away his most positive result of the year having made just one cut from four starts.

If he does play, the former World No.1 clearly likes the course based of both his runner-up last year and 2008 win in Munich.

Sergio Garcia is looking to find some form after a lacklustre period of play at the majors and in the opening LIV Golf event. PHOTO: Rob Carr/Getty Images.

Another of the LIV players teeing it up this week, Sergio Garcia will want to find some semblance of form if he is to justify whatever money Greg Norman and co. have filled his coffers with.

Garcia failed to break 70 at Centurion over three days, which was more golf than he has played in other two most recent starts having missed the weekend at the U.S. Open and PGA Championship.

A proud player who will be keen to right the ship, Garcia will be one of the players desperate to find out what his home Tour is going to do next and might want to send a reminder to Keith Pelley of his value by playing well this week.

Billy Horschel has left America for a stretch after missing the U.S. Open cut in his first start since winning at Jack Nicklaus’ Memorial.

Horschel is clearly enjoying spreading his schedule across both major Tours and if he can find anything like the form he had at Muirfield Village is sure to contend here.

There are plenty of other players worthy of keeping an eye on this week, including Ryan Fox, who has been a regular on leaderboards in Europe this year, while young guns Elvis Smylie, Takumi Kanaya and Laird Shepherd are worth the effort of putting the kettle on and settling in for some late night watching.

72-HOLE RECORD: 261 (John Daly, 2001)

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: Peter Fowler (1993)

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Scott Hend, Elvis Smylie, Wade Ormsby, Maverick Antcliff and Zach Murray.

TV TIMES*

Round 1: Thursday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 9pm – 2am)
Round 2: Friday ((Fox Sports 503 LIVE 11:30pm – 2am)
Round 3: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 9:30pm – 2am)
Round 4: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 9:30pm – 2am)
*AEST, check local guides