Pieters finds form once again

BELGIUM’S Thomas Pieters believes an improved attitude has helped get his game back on track.

The 30-year-old won in Abu Dhabi in January and registered two top 10s in May – the last time he played in Europe – and arrives in Germany for the BMW International Open on the back of a joint-27th finish at the US Open.

At Brookline he was inspired by a maiden major victory for Matthew Fitzpatrick, his former Ryder Cup team-mate and housemate at last month’s US PGA, and wants to carry some positivity into this week at Golfclub Munchen Eichenried.

“We were in a house together at the US PGA Championship, I saw him in contention there and how calm he was on Saturday evening, Sunday morning and then to do it at the next major is impressive,” the world No 35 said.

“It gives me motivation as well to see him get over the line for European golf. I feel like I am really close (to returning to my best).

“My putting has been really good and that has been the missing link over the past years. I am driving it a lot better, and my attitude is a lot better.

“I have won twice in the last eight months so I feel like I am going in the right direction.”

American Billy Horschel plays his first BMW International Open debut as the event’s highestranked player at number 14 in the world, while – at the other end of the scale – Brighton-born 24-yearold Laird Shepherd will make his professional debut after concluding his amateur career at the US Open.

This week the first five players, not otherwise exempt, in the top 20 of the DP World Tour rankings after the weekend will guarantee themselves a place at next month’s Open Championship at St Andrews.

Thomas Pieters