Maximilian Kieffer
{{short description|German professional golfer}}
{{Infobox golfer
| name = Maximilian Kieffer
| image = Max Kieffer 2016.JPG
| image_size =
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| fullname =
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| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1990|6|25|df=y}}
| birth_place = Bergisch Gladbach, West Germany
| death_date =
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| height = {{height|ft=5|in=11}}
| weight = {{convert|74|kg|lb st|abbr=on}}
| nationality = {{DEU}}
| residence = Düsseldorf, Germany
| spouse =
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| college = University of Florida
| yearpro = 2010
| retired =
| tour = European Tour
| extour = Challenge Tour
| prowins = 2
| pgawins =
| eurowins = 1
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| chalwins = 1
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| masters = DNP
| usopen = CUT: 2014, 2016
| open = DNP
| pga = DNP
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}}
Maximilian Kieffer (born 25 June 1990) is a German professional golfer who plays on the European Tour.
Career
Kieffer was born in Bergisch Gladbach. He played most of his golf at Hubbelrath Golf Club in Düsseldorf, the same club as Martin Kaymer. He represented the German National team from 2005-2010 and represented Europe in the Junior Ryder Cup in 2006. He played college golf briefly in the United States at the University of Florida. He turned professional in 2010.
Kieffer joined the Challenge Tour in 2011 and won his first tournament in 2012 at the Gujarat Kensville Challenge in India.[http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/gujarat-kensville-challenge-rahil-gangjee-maximilian-kieffer/1/171160.html Golf: Rahil Gangjee falters as Maximilian Kieffer wins Gujarat Kensville Challenge title]
In April 2013, Kieffer lost in a sudden-death playoff at the Open de España. In the joint longest playoff in European Tour history, Kieffer was beaten by a Raphaël Jacquelin birdie on the ninth playoff hole.
In May 2015, during the third round of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, Kieffer broke the Royal County Down course record set in 1939 by shooting 6-under-par 65.{{cite web |url=http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015040/news/newsid=258423.html |title=Kjeldsen on the rise at County Down |publisher=PGA European Tour |date=30 May 2015}}
In April 2021, Kieffer lost in a sudden-death playoff again at the Austrian Golf Open. He was defeated by John Catlin on the fifth extra hole when he hit three balls into the water.{{cite web |title=Catlin claims third win after play-off drama in Austria |url=https://www.europeantour.com/european-tour/news/articles/detail/catlin-claims-third-win-after-play-off-drama-in-austria/ |publisher=European Tour |date=April 18, 2021 |accessdate=April 18, 2021}} The following week, Kieffer carded a final-round 62 to finish runner-up again at the Gran Canaria Lopesan Open.{{cite web |title=Higgo comes out on top on Gran Canaria |url=https://www.europeantour.com/european-tour/news/articles/detail/higgo-comes-out-on-top-on-gran-canaria/ |website=European Tour |date=25 April 2021 |accessdate=25 April 2021}}
In August 2022, Kieffer claimed his first European Tour victory at the D+D Real Czech Masters. He won by one shot ahead of Gavin Green.{{cite web |title=Max Kieffer beats 70/1 tip Gavin Green to Czech Masters title as 400/1 shot places in Prague |url=https://www.sportinglife.com/golf/news/max-kieffer-beats-701-tip-gavin-green-to-czech-masters-title-as-4001-shot-places-in-prague/203057 |website=Sporting Life |date=21 August 2022 |accessdate=21 August 2022}}
Professional wins (2)
=European Tour wins (1)=
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
!No.!!Date!!Tournament!!Winning score!!Margin of |
| align=center|1
|align=right|21 Aug 2022 |−16 (68-66-66=200)* |1 stroke |{{flagicon|MYS}} Gavin Green |
European Tour playoff record (0–2)
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
!No.!!Year!!Tournament!!Opponent(s)!!Result |
| style="background:#F2C1D1;"
|align=center|1 |2013 |{{flagicon|CHI}} Felipe Aguilar, {{flagicon|FRA}} Raphaël Jacquelin |Jacquelin won with birdie on ninth extra hole |
| style="background:#F2C1D1;"
|align=center|2 |2021 |{{flagicon|USA}} John Catlin |Lost to bogey on fifth extra hole |
=Challenge Tour wins (1)=
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
!No.!!Date!!Tournament!!Winning score!!Margin of |
| align=center|1
|align=right|29 Jan 2012 |−7 (70-71-70-70=281) |Playoff |{{flagicon|IND}} Rahil Gangjee |
1Co-sanctioned by the Professional Golf Tour of India
Challenge Tour playoff record (1–1)
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
!No.!!Year!!Tournament!!Opponent!!Result |
| style="background:#F2C1D1;"
|align=center|1 |2011 |{{flagicon|DEU}} Nicolas Meitinger |Lost to birdie on second extra hole |
| style="background:#D0F0C0;"
|align=center|2 |2012 |{{flagicon|IND}} Rahil Gangjee |Won with par on first extra hole |
Results in major championships
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;text-align:center;"
!Tournament !2014!!2015!!2016 |
| align=left|U.S. Open
|CUT |style="background:#eeeeee;"| |CUT |
{{legend|#eeeeee|Did not play}}
CUT = missed the halfway cut
Note: Kieffer only played in the U.S. Open.
Team appearances
File:Open de France 2015 50.jpg
Amateur
- Junior Ryder Cup (representing Europe): 2006 (tie, Cup retained)
- European Boys' Team Championship (representing Germany): 2007, 2008{{cite web |title=European Boys' Team Championship – European Golf Association |url=http://www.ega-golf.ch/page/european-boys-team-championship |access-date=22 January 2023}}
- Jacques Léglise Trophy (representing the Continent of Europe): 2007, 2008
- European Amateur Team Championship (representing Germany): 2008, 2009, 2010
- Eisenhower Trophy (representing Germany): 2010
- St Andrews Trophy (representing the Continent of Europe): 2010 (winners)
Professional
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Maximilian Kieffer}}
- {{EuroTour player|35419}}
- {{OWGR|12317}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20120512104016/http://www.gatorzone.com/golf/men/bios.php?year=2008&player_id=18 Florida Gator profile]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kieffer, Maximilian}}
Category:European Tour golfers
Category:Olympic golfers for Germany
Category:Golfers at the 2020 Summer Olympics
Category:Florida Gators men's golfers
Category:Sportspeople from Bergisch Gladbach
Category:Sportspeople from Düsseldorf
Category:21st-century German sportsmen
{{Germany-golf-bio-stub}}