Final day
A record round to an historical victory: the Finn Kalle Samooja celebrates his first ever win on the DP World Tour at the seventh staging of the Porsche European Open. It has ended the run of English wins on the Porsche Nord Course since 2017. The 34-year-old Samooja gave his rivals no chance when recording the best round in the history of the tournament at Green Eagle Golf Courses. Two shots behind in second was the Dutchman Wil Besseling. The round of 64 (-8), three shots better than the tournament’s second best, was the first time Samooja had gone under par this week. It was only the third time in the long history of the DP World Tour that a pro has won a tournament with a single round under par.
“For us, the seventh edition of the Porsche European Open was a very emotional tournament,” says Detlev von Platen, Member of the Executive Board responsible for Sales and Marketing at Porsche AG. “In addition to the excellent top-class golf and an exciting event experience, we were especially pleased this year to see the large crowds at the venue. They created a fabulous atmosphere.”
Victor Perez provided one of the tournament highlights by hitting a hole-in-one in the third round on Saturday. As the Frenchman aced the second, it meant that he missed out on the hole-in-one prize. A Porsche Taycan Turbo S Sport Turismo was waiting on the 17th for a successful winner but to no avail once again this year. Neither the pros nor the visitors to the event that had qualified via the Public Hole-in-One for a shoot-out on the 17th were able to hole out with a single shot from 155 metres.
Mark Webber excited by the “world-class event”
The specially designed Taycan 4S Sport Turismo that acted as the Leader’s Car caused huge smiles on the faces of the leaders after the first three rounds – and on the face of the Porsche Brand Ambassador Mark Webber. Together with the designer Flemming Pinck, the former Endurance World Champion drove the one-off Porsche to the tournament venue on Wednesday and was visibly thrilled when arriving: “I’ve driven lots and lots of Porsche cars, but this one really is one to remember.” In the afternoon, the Australian played the Pro-am and called himself a “very happy man” before adding, “It’s a real honour to be a part of the Porsche-style world class event.”
Despite being injured, the Porsche Brand Ambassador Paul Casey travelled to Hamburg from Scottsdale, Arizona. “I feel like I’m a part of the Porsche family and the brand is very important to me. It’s also important to support this tournament as a Brand Ambassador and as the 2019 champion. It’s nice soaking up the great atmosphere here,” said Casey. During the tournament, the three-time Ryder Cup winner was on hand to sign autographs, debuted as a co-commentator, communicated intensively with the guests at the venue and, as a passionate sports car fan, inspected the new Porsche 911 Sport Classic.
Spectacular start atop the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg
Twin brothers Nicolai and Rasmus Højgaard went 120 metres atop the Elbphilharmonie concert hall to ring in the tournament week with a spectacular chipping contest. The brothers, who together have already celebrated five victories on the DP World Tour, aimed at a target 15-metres away – a bull’s eye made of special sand framed by 300 artificial grass tiles. “It was a quite unique experience,” said Rasmus Højgaard.
Round 3
Another day to remember for Victor Perez, and it has come one day before Sunday’s final round. The Frenchman, the winner of last week’s Dutch Open, has taken over at the top of the tightly bunched Porsche European Open leaderboard after posting a 71 to leave him 5 under par. In doing so, Perez got off to a spectacular start by acing the Porsche Nord Course’s second hole.
The 29-year-old potted the ball on the par 3 with a 6-iron from almost 200 metres. “A perfect shot. I didn’t even see it and only heard the spectators – a great sound.” However, he could have chosen a better place to do it as the same feat on the 17th would have earned him the hole-in-one prize – a Porsche Taycan Turbo S Sport Turismo (Taycan Turbo S Sport Turismo (2023): Electric power consumption* combined (WLTP) 24.0 – 22.6 kWh/100 km, CO₂ emissions* combined (WLTP) 0 g/km, CO₂ class A ). “I’ll go for it there tomorrow and hope for a real Porsche,” laughed Perez who was presented with a model Porsche for his ace. In the end however, he still got the chance to drive a real Porsche as he was handed the key to the Leader’s Car for the trip to and from the hotel.
Lurking one shot behind Perez on four under par is his compatriot Julien Brun plus Joakim Lagergren from Sweden. “I played really well today,” said Lagergren who however missed out on joining Perez at the top by three-putting from only a few metres on the 18th. “I can take a lot of positives from today,” said Brun who is still without a win on the DP World Tour. “I would have signed for the round when going out. I am looking forward to the challenge that the course will present tomorrow.”
Fleetwood on the way up
In beautiful summerly conditions, the course also presented a real challenge on Saturday. The day’s best round was a 69 (-3) – something only two players, including Tommy Fleetwood, managed. England’s top-class golfer was impressive when climbing up the leaderboard on moving day. His three-under par 69 has now put him in 11th place. “I’m now in a good position,” said the 2018 Ryder Cup hero after finishing. “I played better and was striking the ball well, but still had a few wayward shots. Fleetwood was joined just outside the Top 10 by Eduardo Molinari, the Ryder Cup co-captain in 2023. Henrik Stenson, his boss in Rome just over a year from now, dropped back after a promising start to finish on five over for the three rounds (74).
Knapp still in contention
The best German going into the final day is Alexander Knappe whose solid 73 leaves him just behind the leaders alongside Fleetwood in 11th. “I didn’t hit that many greens which is why it was an exhausting round today,” said the 33-year-old who added, “But I’m still in a good position for tomorrow.”
Round 2
The pros are now getting a sweat up, and it is not only down to the summerly conditions. The second round of the 2022 Porsche European Open served up sun, sun, sun and a tricky Porsche Nord Course set-up. The result was fantastic golf in gorgeous weather, and a bunched leaderboard that promises an enthralling weekend.
Top spot has been filled by Jordan Smith who shot the day’s best round, a 4 under par 68. The Englishman, who bagged the title at the premiere of the Porsche European Open on the Porsche Nord Course in 2017, will head out for the third round two shots to the good of France’s Victor Perez. After claiming the title at last week’s Dutch Open, Perez is once again on song and will try “to ride the wave for as long as possible”.
Smith, the DP World ranked No. 7, was not only delighted at taking over at the top of the leaderboard but also with the key for the Leader’s Car. The 29-year-old can now use the specially designed Porsche Taycan 4S Sport Turismo for his trip this evening to the hotel and then back to the course tomorrow morning. “I’ve got many good memories of my win in 2017. I look forward to hopefully continuing my good form and seeing what the weekend brings,” said Smith. “I’ve never driven a Porsche and can hardly wait to put my foot down.” In joint third on three under are the Swede Joakim Lagergren, Julien Brun from France and Niklas Nørgaard Møller (Denmark) at three under par.
Two Germans in the Top 10
A German duo used the day to play themselves into the leading bunch. Marcel Siem (72) and Alexander Knappe (70) are lying joint eighth at one under par alongside the title-holder Marcus Armitage from England. “The bad shots I hit, I think it was only three, were punished with bogeys. I’d have naturally liked to have gone under par, but things are looking good for the weekend,” said Siem. Six other Germans have made it into the weekend.
Top stars Stenson and Fleetwood into the weekend
Henrik Stenson came up with a thrilling end to the delight of the fans lining the course. After a 77 Thursday, the Ryder Cup captain battled his way impressively up the field in round two with five birdies in the first 11 holes. However two double bogeys after finding water on the par 3 14th and 17th after finding water put him in serious danger of missing out of qualifying for the weekend. A spectacular eagle on the 18th sparked big cheers around the green and secured him a slot in the final two rounds where he will meet Tommy Fleetwood. Like Stenson, the top English golfer is on three over par after playing consistently for a par round.
“We’re going to see what the weekend brings. I think that the good thing about this golf course is nobody seems to be able to push on and get away,” said the five-time DP World Tour winner. “I can go into tomorrow and feel positive and work my way up the leaderboard.”
Round 1
Difficult conditions on the opening day of the tournament: despite the afternoon sunshine, the seventh staging of the Porsche European Open welcomed the top international field with a tricky start to proceedings. The long Porsche Nord Course (7,057 metres) with its challenging rough and the many water hazards was anything but easy to play after Wednesday’s rainfall and the blustery wind on Thursday.
It posed difficulties for some top golfers, but others took their chance. They initially included the Chinese Haotong Li who went round in an impressive 67 (-5) to head the leaderboard. "I feel great despite the tough conditions and am very pleased,” said Li who hit six birdies and only one bogey. “Tomorrow, I’m just going to relax and keep the way I play.” Late in the evening, the Swede Joakim Lagergren joined the 26-year-old Chinese, who has notched up two wins on the DP World Tour, at the top of the field. It earned him the right to get behind the steering wheel of the Leader’s Car for his journey to his hotel. “I’ve seen the car in pictures so it’s gonna be a lot of fun,” said Lagergren.
From a German point of view, it was first and foremost the youngsters Freddy Schott and Matti Schmid that came up with the goods. Both have slotted into just behind the leaders’ group after two under par rounds of 70. They share 11th place with the title-holder Marcus Armitage from England. “You have to fight hard here to play a good round,” said Schmid immediately after finishing. “Tomorrow, I want to play just like I did today, hit lots of greens and give myself so many chances as possible.” Freddy Schott left the 18th “very happy” and added, “I went out today and was very strategic and more on the defensive side. Also, because I know just what kind of dangers are lurking around the greens.” Fellow German Marcel Siem was also satisfied. According to the 41-year-old, he is 90 per cent fit again after his hand injury. It sufficed for a round of 71 and joint 21st place. “It wasn’t easy out there and the course played very, very long. But I’m very happy with the way things went and remained patient,” said Siem. It is a solid position to be in after the first 18 holes – and the same goes for Jannik de Bruyn who also posted a 71.
The top stars Tommy Fleetwood, Henrik Stenson and Nicolai Højgaard all got off to shaky starts. England’s Fleetwoood dropped down the field just before the end after suffering a triple bogey on the 17th to leave him three over par for the day. Ryder Cup captain Stenson wished for some warm temperatures to find some hot form but never really warmed up in the morning. When the sun did actually shine on the Porsche Nord Course, the Swede was already in the clubhouse on five over par.
Kickoff Event
Europe’s top young players, the twins Nicolai and Rasmus Højgaard, launched the tournament week of the Porsche European Open 2022 with a spectacular event atop the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg. This year’s DP World Tour combines top-notch golf and a unique Porsche experience.
Beautiful swings in a magnificent setting: Nicolai and Rasmus Højgaard opened the 2022 Porsche European Open tournament week with a chipping contest on the roof of the Elbphilharmonie. The talented 21-year-olds thereby unified Hamburg’s landmark on the River Elbe with the prestigious DP World Tour tournament, during which world-class golf will combine with a unique Porsche experience once again.
The brothers, who together have already celebrated five victories on the DP World Tour, aimed at a target 15 metres away – a bull’s eye made of special sand framed by 300 artificial grass tiles. After several extra shots were needed to determine the winner, Rasmus eventually won the ‘brotherly’ contest against his two-minutes-older sibling. The event was staged about 120 metres above ground, on top of the Porsche-sponsored concert hall. “That really was a pretty unique experience,” said Rasmus Højgaard afterwards. “Events are only seldom kicked off at such a special place.” His brother was also amazed by the breath-taking view. “We first visited Hamburg on a school trip in the seventh year and have been back many times since. But we’ve never seen the city like this. It is quite spectacular here.”
A replica of this year’s Leader’s Car has been on display in front of the Elbphilharmonie since last week, giving fans the opportunity to see the Porsche Taycan 4S Sport Turismo’s exclusive livery, which was conceived by the Hamburg designer and golf fan Flemming Pinck. Until Saturday (4 June), visitors also have the chance to win VIP tickets for the final day of the Porsche European Open on a specially installed putting mat.
The favourites for the seventh staging of the Porsche European Open include golfing stars Tommy Fleetwood, Martin Kaymer, the Swedish Ryder Cup captain Henrik Stenson and the Højgaard twins. They will face stiff opposition from several top international golfers and German contenders including the experienced Max Kieffer and Marcel Siem plus the shooting stars Hurly Long and Yannik Paul. Not only will they each be attempting to secure the tournament title on Sunday but also to win the hole-in-one car. A Neptune Blue Taycan Turbo S Sport Turismo – the most powerful model of the latest body variant – will lure the pros on the famous 17th hole as the spectacular prize for an ace.
Paul Casey as star guest
While Paul Casey will not be competing for this year’s title due to injury, the Porsche Brand Ambassador will nevertheless be travelling to the venue from the US to support the tournament and its title partner, Porsche. “The Porsche European Open and the Porsche family mean a lot to me. It’s why I’m very happy to come to Green Eagle and make myself available for the tournament and the fans, and to savour the exceptional atmosphere,” says the world-class English golfer.
In addition to the hole-in-one prize, the Leader’s Car is one of the most popular Porsche vehicles at the Green Eagle Golf Courses complex, at least among the players. Whoever tops the leaderboard at the end of each day can use the vehicle for their journey to and from the club and this Wednesday Flemming Pinck and the Porsche Brand Ambassador Mark Webber will be on chauffeuring duty. Both will then take part in the traditional pro-am tournament, teeing off alongside the professional players on the Porsche Nord Course. A fleet of 30 all-electric and hybrid Porsche vehicles will provide a shuttle service for the pros during the tournament week.
A wide range of Porsche activities
Visitors to Porsche World can enjoy a range of the latest and most special Porsche models. They will also have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities – including the Porsche Public Hole-in-One, which extends the chance to win the hole-in-one vehicle to fans. Exclusive parking spaces are available for all Porsche customers, as is the Owners’ Lounge at the 17th hole. The sports car manufacturer is also linking its existing golf commitments with the Porsche European Open: Porsche Golf Circle members will take part in the pro-am tournament and Porsche Deutschland will hold its Team Challenge on the Süd Course on Saturday. Guests will have the opportunity to taste a little world-class golf themselves when they tee-off on the tournament course on the Monday after the Porsche European Open.
Porsche and golf
Porsche has been the title sponsor of the Porsche European Open, a DP World Tour event, since 2015 and the automobile manufacturer has expanded its involvement in professional golf with automotive partnerships at tournaments on the Asian and the DP World Tour since 2019. For more than three decades, Porsche has also organised the Porsche Golf Cup – one of the sports car manufacturer’s most successful customer events. Held for the first time in Germany in 1988, the Porsche Golf Cup has since developed into an international tournament in which more than 17,000 Porsche customers recently took part in 261 worldwide qualifying rounds. The Porsche Golf Circle, an international app-based community for keen golf-playing Porsche customers, has also proved a great success since its launch in 2017. The Porsche Golf Circle now has about 4,000 members. Since 2020, Paul Casey has complemented the Porsche family as the first Brand Ambassador from the world of golf.
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