Maximilian Kieffer proud to lead home charge in Germany

Birthday boy Maximilian Kieffer was proud of the way he dealt with home expectations after he secured a second top-three in three weeks in Germany at the BMW International Open.

The 33-year-old finished alongside Marcel Siem in a share for second three weeks ago in Hamburg and this week at Golfclub München Eichenried, he was the best of the home players in a tie for third.

It has been a fantastic ten months for Kieffer, whose win at the D+D Real Czech Masters in August kickstarted a stunning rennaissance in German golf that has seen Yannik Paul, Siem and Nick Bachem all also go on to claim victories.

That triumph in Prague also brought him an increased profile at home events, and he was delighted with how he dealt with the new pressures.

"At home there's a bit more pressure, you really want to do well," he said. "So to contend both weeks, I can be pretty satisfied with that.

"It's been a bit different because in Hamburg I hit it really, really well and I didn't putt very well.

"This week, I didn't hit it quite as good as in Hamburg but the putter and the short game has been quite hot.

"It would have been nice if everything had come together in one week."

Kieffer started the day seven shots off the lead in Munich but found himself just one back with five holes to play.

He had birdied the first after a smart approach but gave the shot back on the third before making it birdies on all four days at both the sixth and ninth to turn in 34.

He continued his remarkable record on the par-fives with an eagle from 28 feet at the 11th and an approach to ten feet had him within one before he found water at the 16th and dropped a shot, eventually signing for a 68 and finishing at 11 under.

"It was a crazy day," he said. "I didn't think I had a chance starting the round to be honest but then I had a hot start, I eagled 11 and then I thought I might have a chance.

"I got it to 12 under and then a bad swing on 16 probably cost me the tournament."