Martin Kaymer will look to bounce back from a disappointing defence of his US Open title last week by giving home fans something to cheer in the BMW International.
Kaymer, who led from start to finish on his way to an eight-shot victory at Pinehurst last year, missed the halfway cut at Chambers Bay by a single shot.
But making an early exit at least allowed the 30-year-old more time to travel to Munich to prepare for an event which provided his second European Tour title in 2008.
“It is special when you play in your own country,” Kaymer said. “Obviously for me, the expectations are quite high from the spectators and as well as from yourself because you want to perform a little bit better than other weeks.
Kaymer has recorded just one top-10 finish in the event – a tie for fourth in 2013 – since his victory seven years ago and missed the cut last year.
Kaymer will partner Henrik Stenson and Shane Lowry in the opening two rounds at Golf Club Munchen Eichenried, two players who enjoyed contrasting weeks at Chambers Bay.
Lowry began the final round just three shots off the pace before having to settle for a share of ninth place, while Stenson was joint leader after an opening 65 but faded to a tie for 27th and memorably compared the greens to like “putting on broccoli”.
Stenson won in Munich in 2006 and said: “That was the last tournament for me before the Ryder Cup in 2006 and I managed to win that one and (go) top of the points list as I recall.
“It was very exciting times .
“It is a little harder these days to get them than it used to be, but birdies are still out there. It is always hard to predict the winning score but given that it’s playing quite soft and long off the tee, I think the winning score could be a little higher.”