Thomas Björn:
“This announcement is great news for the Tour, the PGA Championship and Wentworth and from a personal point of view, having won the BMW International Open twice, I’’m hoping to have similar success in the BMW Championship on what is essentially my home course with the 16th tee just over the garden fence.”
Paul Casey:
“As a junior growing up in Surrey I would dream of playing the West Course in the biggest event of the year and now I am able to do that, I would dearly love to win the title on my home turf. It has always been my ambition to lift the trophy here and with a new era upon us thanks to BMW, I will be doing my utmost to achieve that lifelong goal this year.”
Darren Clarke:
“As a European Tour player, this is one event you all want to win. I came close in 2000 when finishing runner-up but hopefully under BMW I can go one better. BMW have been great supporters of The European Tour and will ensure this Championship sets the standard for all to follow.”
Scott Drummond:
“It comes as a huge relief to know that I will be able to return to Wentworth in May to defend my title in the BMW Championship. I have to confess I would have been very disappointed not to get that chance, but it is great news that BMW have come on board as title sponsor. Winning the Championship last year was a life-changing experience and almost everything I have done since then has had some direct or indirect connection to my win. I still think about it constantly and I can’’t wait to come back in May for the BMW Championship.”
Ernie Els:
“Wentworth is one of my favourite places in golf for two reasons – I love the West Course and I live on the Estate. Whenever my schedule allows, I pencil in the PGA Championship and I am delighted that BMW have signed up to take over the title sponsorship for the next four years. It is a fantastic tournament – and one I would dearly love to win to set alongside my six World Match Play titles over the West Course.”
Nick Faldo:
“In 1978 the PGA became my first 72 hole victory, so it is a very special event for me. I have many fond memories of the matches at Wentworth and of my four previous wins in the competition. I enjoy a relationship with BMW and as they extend their involvement with British golf, I know they will carry on the great traditions of this superb competition.”
Retief Goosen:
“The fact that I have played in the last 12 PGA Championships underlines the importance I attach to the event. It is, quite rightly, recognised as the flagship event on The European Tour and the arrival of a blue-chip company in BMW further emphasises the status of a Championship which is high on my list of goals.”
Padraig Harrington:
"As a past winner of the BMW Asian Open and runner-up in the BMW International Open, I am hopeful that BMW's sponsorship of the PGA Championship is a good omen for me! I have fond memories of finishing runner-up in the World Match Play Championship over the West Course and I am hoping for better luck at Wentworth in May."
Miguel Angel Jiménez:
“I am delighted that BMW have become the title sponsor of the PGA Championship. Having won the BMW Asian Open and the BMW International Open in 2004, I would love to add the BMW Championship at Wentworth to my list of achievements. Wentworth is a great golf course and BMW’’s involvement will add to the prestige of the event.”
Bernhard Langer:
“The West Course at Wentworth has always been close to my heart. The PGA Championship is our premier tournament on The European Tour and it was a great thrill to win the title on three occasions. I am delighted that an event of this stature has the outstanding new sponsor it deserves in BMW.”
Paul McGinley:
“The PGA Championship has always been The European Tour’’s flagship event and, for us, it is the biggest event outside the Majors. It is a great Championship and to have a new sponsor of the stature of BMW is a huge boost for all the players and the Tour as a whole.”
Colin Montgomerie:
“Every time I drive into Wentworth for the PGA Championship I feel a tingle of excitement and anticipation. To win this Championship once would have been wonderful, but to win it three years in succession is beyond my wildest dreams. It is the flagship event on The European Tour and a shining testimony to the quality of our Tour and I am delighted that BMW have signed up as title sponsor for the next four years.”
Ian Poulter:
“As everyone knows I am a huge fan of top of the range cars and this is an exciting new deal for the Tour. BMW set the highest of standards in all their tournaments and that is sure to continue with the BMW Championship at Wentworth.”
Lee Westwood:
“Winning the BMW International Open in Germany two years ago was very emotional for me after some time without a win and I would dearly love to add the 2005 BMW Championship on home soil to sit alongside that victory. “
Ian Woosnam:
“Many of the highlights of my career have come at Wentworth and I will always treasure my two wins in the PGA Championship and three victories in the World Match Play over the West Course. It is great news that we will all be back at Wentworth in May for the BMW Championship for a tournament which we all regard as one of the most important of the season.”
