The corporate automotive brand BMW and The European Tour are delighted to announce their new partnership in the BMW Championship – the PGA Championship – to be staged on the West Course at Wentworth Club, Surrey, England, from May 26-29, 2005.
This highly significant development for European golf means that BMW will be partner of an unprecedented four tournaments on The European Tour International Schedule, namely the BMW Championship, the BMW Asian Open (April 28-May 1), the BMW Russian Open (August 11-14) and the BMW International Open (August 25-28) in addition to becoming Official Car to The European Tour.
The new agreement between BMW and The European Tour to develop what is regarded as the flagship tournament on The European Tour International Schedule runs for four years between 2005 and 2008. With a record €4,000,000 prize fund and a first prize of €666,660 in 2005, the BMW Championship is the most highly prized event in Europe after the Open Golf Championship. All four days of the BMW Championship will receive global television coverage which will include the BBC and The Golf Channel.
“Wentworth is symbolic of great tradition and countless important competitions. Availing of its experience as a promoter of international golf sports events such as the BMW International Open and BMW Asian Open, BMW will ensure the successful future of the tournament”, states the Championship President and Managing Director BMW Great Britain Jim O`Donnell.
George OGrady, Executive Director of The European Tour, said: “Everyone familiar with BMWs superb expertise and special organisational skills will understand why this is a landmark day for The European Tour. BMW has been an important partner with the Tour since the BMW International Open was launched in 1989 and we are now delighted that their fourth event on The European Tour International Schedule is our flagship tournament. We thank all at BMW for their commitment to golf, and specifically to The European Tour, and we also greatly value BMW`s commitment as the new Official Car to The European Tour.”
Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Director BMW Central Marketing and Brand Management, said: “By its exclusiveness, its aesthetics and fascination, golf, as a sport, and especially the new BMW Championship, fits perfectly in line with the brand BMW. With such a prestigious tournament as the PGA Championship, we are significantly increasing our commitment within the international world of golf. We look forward to enhancing our already strong partnership with The European Tour by progressing the BMW Championship with which we have acquired the history and tradition of the PGA Championship.”
Scott Drummond became, in 2004, the 50th winner of what will now be known as the BMW Championship, following in the footsteps of a roll call of great champions including Peter Alliss, Bernard Gallacher, Tony Jacklin, Peter Oosterhuis, Arnold Palmer, Neil Coles, Nick Faldo, Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam, José Maria Olazábal and Colin Montgomerie. Drummond will defend his title against many of the leading players in the world when the BMW Championship is played on the West Course at Wentworth Club for the 25th time from May 26-29.
