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, with a record prize fund of €4,350,000 at Wentworth from 24-27 May 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 Mà¼ller-à–tvös, 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.”
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 19-22 April and the BMW International Open, at Golfclub Mà¼nchen-Nord, Eichenried, Germany, from 21-24 June.
In addition, the inaugural BMW Championship on the US PGA Tour – the third of four season-ending events in America – will be played from 6-9 September 2007 at Cog Hill Golf and Country Club, Chicago.
The European Tour www.europeantour.com