BMW and The European Tour have announced that BMW has extended its commitment to the BMW Championship by a further two years until 2010, and that the event will now be known as the BMW PGA Championship.
The BMW PGA Championship will boast a record prize fund of €4,350,000 and once again be played at Wentworth Club, Surrey, England from May 24-27, 2007.
This new agreement further enhances the global relationship between The European Tour and BMW, which encompasses the BMW Asian Open and the BMW International Open in Munich, as well as BMW’s position as Official Car of The European Tour and Official Car at The 2006 Ryder Cup.
The prize fund of €4,350,000 shows an increase of €100,000 from 2006, with the field, headed by defending Champion David Howell of England, chasing a new record first prize of €725,000.
Meanwhile, the title of the event will again incorporate the initials PGA in recognition of the vibrant partnership between BMW and The European Tour and the rich history of a Championship that dates back to 1955 and is widely regarded as the Tour’s Flagship Event.
Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Director of Central Marketing and BMW Brand Management, BMW AG, said: “I am pleased that we have extended our title partnership of the BMW PGA Championship for two more years. This also reflects the strong commitment of BMW to our international golf sports activities with all our engagements being planned for the long term, setting high standards and allowing the audiences to experience the BMW brand. We are delighted that from 2007 the title of the tournament will incorporate the traditional PGA name, as it gives the tournament even more prestige and raises our partnership to another level.”
George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “BMW is one of the most distinctively recognisable brands in the motor industry and The European Tour’s partnership with them has enhanced the status of the PGA Championship. We thank BMW for their superb support on a worldwide basis and their recognition of the PGA Championship as the Players’ Flagship event.
“In 2007 the BMW PGA Championship will continue to be regarded as the Players’ own Championship and we look forward to a world class field challenging defending Champion David Howell for the title on the superb West Course which complements the further improvements Ernie Els and Wentworth Club have made during this last winter.”
Jim O’Donnell, Managing Director of BMW UK and the President of the BMW PGA Championship, commented: “The extended contract and increase in prize money is a demonstration of our commitment to this great Championship. I am also delighted that this year’s event returns for a 27th time to the West Course at Wentworth Club, where David Howell will defend his title.”
“The BMW PGA Championship remains something special, both to the players and the public alike, and we believe that together with our partners at The European Tour, we can continue to enhance that reputation in the years to come.”
BMW is the promoter of three events on The 2007 European Tour International Schedule through the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club, the BMW Asian Open, to be held at Tomson Shanghai Pudong GC, China, from April 19-22 and the BMW International Open, at Golfclub München-Nord, Eichenried, Germany, from June 21-24.
In addition, the inaugural BMW Championship on the US PGA Tour – the third of four season-ending events in America - will be played from September 6-9, 2007 at Cog Hill Golf and Country Club, Chicago.
