YouTube golf star Brad Dalke said he felt thrilled by the support he received during his DP World Tour debut at the BMW International Open in Munich, even as his own round left him seven strokes behind the leaders heading into the third round.
When Brad Dalke walked out to the 18th hole in Munich, it wasn’t just another tee shot for a first-timer on the DP World Tour. He found time to look up at the crowds — then rewarded them with his second birdie of the day.
Dalke, 28, was two shots off the lead heading into the third round of the BMW International Open, but Saturday brought him a three-over 75. By the end of his round, he was seven strokes adrift of joint leaders Michael Hollick and Bernd Wiesberger, who were sitting at 13 under.
Even with the scoreline, Dalke said the moment still hit home. He described it as “fun to birdie the last in front of the crowds. ” and added: “It’s crazy in my mind knowing I have never played a DP World Tour event and I might have the biggest group [of fans] out there. the biggest following out there.”.
He also made it clear he felt the wave of attention behind him — the kind of support that doesn’t just come with course etiquette. but with a loyal online audience that follows every swing. “Big shoutout to the fans. YouTube golf has been growing a lot, and it’s shown with these crowds. I will try to finish strong,” Dalke said.
His DP World Tour appearance is. by his own story. a kind of return to the game at a higher level. His first entry into a world-ranked tournament since 2020 came through a sponsor exemption this week. Before turning fully professional. Dalke built a record as a junior and amateur standout. winning the Junior PGA Championship in 2015 and finishing runner-up at the 2016 US Amateur Championship. He also helped Oklahoma win the NCAA Championship in 2017 and, that same year, played in the Masters and US Open.
But his path after turning professional in 2019 didn’t match the early promise. He suffered from well documented driver problems. When sponsors, money and some love for the game ran low, he shifted toward YouTube golf, joining the Good Good group and learning “how to have fun with golf again.”
Last week, he announced he would be leaving the channel — a decision tied to something more personal than rankings. He said he wants to focus on supporting his wife through some health issues.
Asked about how that change has reshaped his approach, Dalke said: “Before I was doing YouTube I was struggling and really did not love golf at times and put a lof of pressure on myself. Now I just have fun with it.”
He’s also watching the broader shift in the sport. pointing to other creators who have begun translating their viral credibility into competitive results. Dalke said: “There’s some really good golfers in YouTube golf. I think we’re starting to show that with my performance so far here. Ryan Ruffels [who finished in a tie for 45th at the PGA Tour’s Myrtle Beach Classic in May] a couple months ago.”.
So on the DP World Tour stage. there are two stories running at once: one is the leaderboard. where Hollick and Wiesberger hold the lead at 13 under while Dalke works to close the gap. The other is the roar that followed him to the last hole — a reminder that in golf right now. an audience can show up not just for tradition. but because it has been built. one video at a time. far from the fairways of Munich.
Brad Dalke DP World Tour BMW International Open Munich YouTube golf Hollick Wiesberger Good Good Ryan Ruffels NCAA Championship Junior PGA Championship