The "Performance Putting Challenge" brings the joy of golf to the centre of London. David Howell, winner of the 2006 BMW PGA Championship, is not the only one looking forward to "The Players’ Flagship" at the Wentworth Club next week.

David Howell, the BMW PGA Champion in 2006 and two-time Ryder Cup winner, has helped launch the BMW PGA Championship’s ‘Performance Putting Challenge’ in central London.  The ‘Challenge’ - a three-hole mini golf course, incorporating BMW car parts as hazards and obstacles - was located in Duke of York Square on the King’s Road for three days, bringing a taste of golf to the heart of London and providing visitors to the area with an opportunity to put their putting skills to the test.

Howell’s appearance at the ‘Performance Putting Challenge’ - located close to HUGO BOSS’ flagship store in Sloane Square, where, throughout May, the front window will feature a BMW M6 convertible and a display dedicated to the European Tour’s premier event - also served to build anticipation ahead of the BMW PGA Championship 2013, taking place at the glorious Wentworth Club, in Surrey, between 21 - 26 May.

After tackling the three-hole ‘Performance Putting Challenge’, Howell said: “This initiative is all about taking golf and the BMW PGA Championship to new audiences. The three-hole course is great fun to play and I’ve seen all sorts of people getting involved; young, old, families, experienced golfers, even complete novices who’ve never picked up a golf club before. It’s been a great event.”

The European Tour has teed up its strongest ever player line-up for this year’s six-day event, including all 12 of Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup Team, who will be reunited on European soil for the first time since the ‘Miracle at Medinah’.

Looking ahead to the tournament itself, Howell said: “If you’re a member of The European Tour you want to play in the biggest event we have and that is the BMW PGA Championship. It’s The Tour’s flagship event and, as I live in Surrey, it’s also my home tournament, so it was a big thrill for me to win in 2006 and an achievement I’m very proud of.

“There is a real Major Championship feel about the BMW PGA Championship. It’s the mix of a superb venue at Wentworth, great crowds throughout the week, an amazing atmosphere, the tournament’s heritage and the way BMW put the event on; not to mention the exceptionally high quality field this year. It’ll be great to see all the guys from that miraculous Ryder Cup victory back in town. It’s a fantastic sporting event, let alone golf tournament, and if you’re a golf fan it’s a superb opportunity to see Europe’s best players in action.”

Commenting on his own chances at Wentworth, the popular Englishman added: “I’ve been playing really well recently and over the last year have played my most consistent golf since 2006, when I won the BMW PGA Championship. I’ve been threatening with chances to win tournaments, but haven’t quite managed to seal the deal; but I’m getting closer all the time. It’s exciting. I feel I’m due a bit of luck on a Sunday and there would be nowhere better to do it than at Wentworth next week.”

The BMW PGA Championship ‘Performance Putting Challenge’ moves on to Brands Hatch this weekend (17-19 May), where the three holes will feature as part of a BMW stand at the British round of the DTM Championship.

Peter Walker, General Manager of BMW Sports Marketing, said: “With the ‘Performance Putting Challenge’ we hope to introduce both golf and the BMW PGA Championship to new audiences. DTM at Brands Hatch attracts excellent crowds over all three days, some of whom may never have played golf or considered coming to Wentworth. It will be good to get the fans involved; some of them may be surprised just how enjoyable, accessible and affordable the tournament is. We’re even expecting our own BMW Team RMG drivers to take on the ‘Performance Putting Challenge’, including three–time World Champion and British driver, Andy Priaulx.”

Jamie Birkmyre, Championship Director of the BMW PGA Championship, added: “The BMW PGA Championship marks the start of another great summer of British sport and is an exceptional day out for golf enthusiasts, sports fans and families alike. There really is something for everybody, with a superb package of fun, celebrity-spotting and world class golf taking place over a six-day period. Hopefully we’ll see a few more motorsport fans joining us at Wentworth next week.”

What do BMW DTM driver Martin Tomczyk, Olympic luge champion Felix Loch and golf rookie Maximilian Kieffer have in common? They share the same passion for dynamic and precision – on the racetrack, in the ice channel and on the fairway. BMW recognised this passion and invited the trio of professional sportsmen to demonstrate their ability on varying terrains.

Tomczyk, who lined up for BMW Team RMG at the opening race of the DTM season in Hockenheim, European Tour rookie Kieffer, and reigning Olympic luge champion and World Cup winner Loch took to the track in a BMW M3 at a BMW M Race Track Training session at the Driving Academy in Maisach, to the west of Munich. Racing driver Tomczyk took his fellow sportsmen out for a spin, showing them the correct braking points in tight bends and teaching them how to get the most out of the BMW M3, whilst at the same time keeping the car under perfect control at all times. The session finished with a series of taxi rides, during which Kieffer and Loch witnessed the 2011 DTM champion in his element at close hand.

Next up was a trip to the golf course, where pro Kieffer showed golf enthusiasts Tomczyk and Loch how to drive the fairways of the Championship Course at Golfclub München Eichenried – venue for the 25th BMW International Open.

A surprise was in store for all three sportsmen at the end of the event, when they were joined on the course by a very special guest for the closing competition over three holes. Oliver Bierhoff reached for his iron and hit a few balls with Kieffer, Tomczyk and Loch. The manager of the German national football team, himself a passionate golfer for years, impressed his peers with the length of his tee shots. "The game with Oliver Bierhoff was the perfect way to end an exciting day of sport away from the everyday routine of professional golf, and a day that I will certainly remember for a long time," said Kieffer. "After all, how often do you get the opportunity to tee off with a European Championship winning footballer?"

Twelve years had passed since Tiger Woods won the Players Championship. The world number one added his second title (13 under par) there at the weekend, with the decisive moment coming on the infamous 17th hole.

Woods started the final round on the iconic TPC Sawgrass course tied at the top of the leaderboard with Spain’s Sergio Garcia and Swedish newcomer David Lingmerth, but moved into the outright lead courtesy of three birdies on the opening seven holes. Garcia, who was involved in a row with the American on day three of the tournament, produced a consistent performance to remain in touch with Woods.

On the 14th, Tiger left the door slightly ajar: having found the water with his tee shot, Woods could do no better than double-bogey, allowing Garcia to pull level. The two leaders – playing in different flights – did not let their guard down and looked destined for a play-off. That all changed in dramatic fashion on one of the most attractive stages in golf: Garcia blew his chances of victory on the 17th – the infamous island green with the pin positioned front left for the final Sunday’s play.

Woods already had a par to his name when Garcia stepped onto the tee. The Spaniard courageously, and ultimately foolishly, attacked the flag – and came up one metre too short, in the drink. Rather than play from the drop zone, Garcia opted to try the identical shot – with the identical outcome. By the time the Ryder Cup star moved onto the 18th, he had taken a full seven shots and dropped right out of contention. The fact that Garcia also found the water with his drive on the final hole was rendered irrelevant. Garcia eventually had to settle for a share of eighth. Lingmerth and Americans Jeff Maggert and Kevin Streelman (all -11) finished tied in second.

Woods was typically down-to-earth after racking up his fourth win from seven tournaments so far this season. “I had an opportunity to win the golf tournament when I was tied for the lead today, and I thought I handled the situation well and played well today when I really needed to. That's something I'm excited about it.”

The BMW PGA Championship, one of the highlights of the British sporting summer, has teed up its strongest ever player line-up for this year’s six-day event, taking place at the glorious Wentworth Club, in Surrey, between 21 – 26 May. To celebrate this unmissable sporting occasion, BMW has teamed up with The European Tour and Official Clothing Supplier HUGO BOSS to bring a taste of golf to the heart of London.

The Championship’s ‘Performance Putting Challenge’ – a three-hole mini golf course, incorporating BMW car parts as hazards and obstacles – will be located in one of the most fashionable areas of London; Duke of York Square on the King’s Road. Between Friday 10 and Sunday 12 May visitors to the area will have the opportunity to put their putting skills to the test, with chances to win prizes from BMW, The European Tour and HUGO BOSS, ranging from highly sought after event tickets to a BMW M3 sport convertible children’s car.

The ‘Challenge’ itself will be launched by 2006 BMW PGA Champion and two-time Ryder Cup winner David Howell, on Friday (10 May). In addition to tackling the three-hole ‘Performance Putting Challenge’, the popular Englishman will be back at Wentworth from 21 May, competing for this year’s BMW PGA Championship. 

The ‘Performance Putting Challenge’ is located close to HUGO BOSS’ flagship store in Sloane Square, where the front window has been given a distinctive BMW PGA Championship look and feel. Throughout the month of May, the store window will feature a BMW M6 convertible and a display dedicated to the European Tour’s premier event.

Jamie Birkmyre, Championship Director of the BMW PGA Championship, , Peter Walker, General Manager of BMW Sports Marketing and Bernd Hake, Managing Director of HUGO BOSS UK, recently came together for a photocall to launch the HUGO BOSS BMW PGA Championship window display.

Looking ahead to the ‘Performance Putting Challenge’ in Duke of York Square, Peter Walker said: “This is a fun event, for both adults and children alike, bringing a taste of golf and the BMW PGA Championship to London. Whether you are golfing expert or novice, the ‘Performance Putting Challenge’ is all about having a go and introducing golf, albeit mini golf, to new audiences.  Throughout the three days in Duke of York Square there will be opportunities to win tickets to the championship and I would highly recommend a visit the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.  It really is a fantastic tournament to kick-start the British Sporting Summer.”

Speaking shortly after the launch of the window display, Bernd Hake added: “HUGO BOSS is delighted to be partnering with Wentworth and BMW. Our unique Sloane Square window installation is the perfect way to illustrate our union in the run up to the PGA arriving at Wentworth late May. HUGO BOSS has a long-standing relationship with the golfing world and through our BOSS Green range we ally ourselves with a selection of high profile golfers, including Martin Kaymer. Linking with BMW reflects this passion, and is an equally aspirational and prestigious brand. We look forward to seeing reactions to the window display, which is already turning heads!”

The BMW PGA Championship, The European Tour’s flagship event, has this year announced a record prize fund of €4.75 million, an increase of €250,000 on last year.  The action starts with the Practice round on Tuesday 21 May, followed by the star-studded Celebrity Pro-Am day on Wednesday 22 with the tournament running between Thursday 23 and Sunday 26 May. 

Jamie Birkmyre said: “The BMW PGA Championship is the only international golfing event in England this year, so this is the only opportunity to see your golfing heroes in action, including the European Ryder Cup Team, re-united for the first time since the Miracle at Medinah. It is an exceptional day out, in the most magnificent of settings, for golf enthusiasts and families alike. There really is something for everybody, with a superb package of fun, celebrity-spotting and world class golf taking place over a six-day period.”

With a good six weeks until the first tee shot of the 25^th BMW International Open rings out around Golfclub München Eichenried (18^th to 23^rd June), more top players have confirmed they will be appearing at the anniversary edition of the only European Tour tournament to be held on German soil. A strong German quartet sets sights on second home win in tournament history.

Sergio García (Spain), British Open champion Ernie Els (South Africa), BMW Championship winner Dustin Johnson (USA) and BMW Brand Ambassador Martin Kaymer (Germany), who had already announced their intention to play, will be joined my more of the world’s top players in the battle for a share of the two million Euro prize purse.

First and foremost German aces Marcel Siem (Ratingen), Alex Cejka (Las Vegas) and Maximilian Kieffer (Düsseldorf). They are out to follow in the footsteps of their compatriot Martin Kaymer, to date the only German to win the title at the BMW International Open. A good omen: Kaymer’s victory came five years ago, when the tournament celebrated its last big anniversary.

Two things speak in favour of Marcel Siem challenging at the top of the leaderboard: firstly, the man from Ratingen is in scintillating form again this year, as proven recently by his victory at a European Tour event in Morocco. Secondly, Siem laid the foundations for his remarkable professional career at a recently opened Golfclub Eichenried over 25 years ago. He knows the course in the north of Munich better than any other player in the tournament.

Alex Cejka has also played his part at the top of the leaderboard of the BMW International Open in the past: the 42-year-old, who lived in Munich for a long time before succumbing to the draw of the US tour, finished runner-up in 2004 and also has two third places to his name at the BMW International Open. And finally, from a German perspective, there is European Tour rookie Maximilian Kieffer, who BMW recently started supporting as “Friend of the Brand”. The 22-year-old caught the eye at the recent Open de España, when he narrowly lost out to Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin on the ninth extra hole of the longest play-off in European Tour history. That second place was enough to guarantee “Kiwi” his Tour card for the coming season, even at this early point in the golfing year.

“We are pleased that the anniversary tournament will feature a very high-class quartet of players striving to become only the second German to claim the title at the BMW International Open,” said Tournament Director Marco Kaussler. “However, the outstanding international competition in the field means it will definitely not be easy for our guys – and the opposition includes a lot of potential winners. As always: may the best man win.”

For example, Ryder Cup players Edoardo Molinari of Italy and Sweden’s Henrik Stenson will both tee off in Eichenried. Stenson won the 2006 tournament in a memorable play-off on the 18^th hole. And it goes without saying that last year’s winner Danny Willett will be back to defend his title. The Englishman triumphed – in another dramatic playoff, against Australia’s Marcus Fraser – when the BMW International Open made its debut at Golf Club Gut Lärchenhof near Cologne.

Spaniards have always played a major role in the history of the BMW International Open. Tournament winners Miguel Ángel Jiménez (2004) and Pablo Larrazábal (2011) will be back in Eichenried again this year. They are joined by Rafael Cabrera-Bello, who won last year’s Dubai Desert Classic, and big-hitting Álvaro Quirós, who was also successful in Dubai on two occasions in 2011: the Spaniard won the Desert Classic and the season finale, the Dubai World Championship.

In Anders Hansen, Eichenried welcomes something of a veteran. The Dane has been active on the European Tour since 1999 and has three tournament wins to his name. He also came within a hair’s breadth of picking up a fourth victory. However, he lost out to local favourite Martin Kaymer in a play-off at the 2008 BMW International Open. And then there is cheery Englishman Paul Casey, who is almost back to his formidable best following a painful shoulder injury. The eleven-time winner on the European Tour, whose successes include the 2009 BMW PGA Championship, is always a welcome guest in Munich.

This year’s Ryder Cup interest will be provided by three European captains, who tee off as part of this year’s 156-man field: Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie – winner of the 1999 BMW International Open – led his home continent to the title in Wales in 2010. Spaniard José-María Olazábal – responsible for one of only two albatrosses ever carded in the history of the BMW International Open – defended that title on a dramatic final day at the Medinah Country Club in Chicago last year. The third of the trio of captains is Paul McGinley, who has the honourable task of completing the hat-trick for Europe in autumn 2014. The Irishman is responsible for selecting the right twelve-man squad when the inter-continental competition comes to Gleneagles in Scotland – with BMW as the “Official Car” partner.

Last but not least, spectators in Eichenried can look forward to a host of fascinating young players, who have already done more than enough to indicate that we will hear a lot more from them in the near future. These include Italian Matteo Manassero. The man from the province of Verona demonstrated his exceptional talent at the young age of just 16 when he became the youngest player ever to win the British Amateur Championship, thus qualifying for that year’s Open Championship, which he ended as the best amateur in a sensational 13^th place. In 2010 he won his first tournament on the European Tour and has since added another victory in Europe’s elite golf class to his collection.

One year ago Thorbjørn Olesen, now 23 years old, won his first European Tour event in Sicily. It was a success that had been coming, as the Dane had already finished runner-up on three occasions. Austrian fans will be particularly pleased to see their compatriot Bernd Wiesberger in action in Eichenried. The 27-year-old made people sit up and take notice in 2012, when he won tournaments on the European Tour and climbed as high as 76^th in the world rankings. Only last week, Wiesberger sent out another reminder of his undoubted talent with victory at the Indonesian Masters, beating no less than Ernie Els in the process.

Australian Brett Rumford backed up last week’s win in Seoul, South Korea, with victory at the European Tour event in Tianjin, China. In doing so, he stirred up memories of 1972.

Over 40 years ago, Rumford’s compatriot Jack Newton was the last Australian to win back-to-back tournaments on the European Tour. In the history of Europe’s top golfing division, another 31 pros had won two events in a row before Rumford pulled off the same feat at the weekend.

After 35-year-old Rumford – nickname “Rummy” – had won the Ballentine’s Championship in South Korea in a play-off seven days earlier, Sunday’s victory at the Volvo China Open, held at Binhai Lake Golf Club in Tianjin, was somewhat less dramatic.

At the end of the four rounds, Rumford (-16) won by a comfortable four shots, ahead of Finland’s Mikko Ilonen. Having started the final round in dazzling form with five birdies, the Australian could even afford a few bogies without ever looking in danger of losing the tournament. A final round of 68 proved to be sufficient and took Rumford’s earnings over the last two weeks to 775,406 Euros.

“I’m kind of speechless at the moment,” said Rumford. “It’s quite surreal – it’s the first time I’ve actually played the week after a win, so I’m more than pleased.”

Rookie Derek Ernst showed a remarkably cool temperament on the way to winning his maiden title on the PGA TOUR. In a final round in Quail Hollow dominated by cold, rain and wind, the 22-year-old showed true class in a dramatic finish.

By the time Derek Ernst had teed off on the final hole of the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte (North Carolina), he was 192 yards from the pin and one shot off the lead.

He took the 6-iron from his caddy and drew his approach shot gloriously through the wind and rain to within just over 4 feet of the hole. The subsequent birdie gave him a final round of 70 on the par-72 course and took him into a play-off against England’s David Lynn, who had also shot -2 on the final day and was also yet to win a tournament on the PGA TOUR.

Phil Mickelson, on the other hand, was left a mere spectator for the play-off. The US star threw away a one-shot lead over the final three holes and missed out on the play-off after narrowly failing to sink his putt on the 18^th, which would have taken him into extra time with Ernst and Lynn.

World number 1207 Ernst only came into the field as fourth reserve on Tuesday, two days before the start of the tournament at Quail Hollow. On the Sunday of his ninth tournament on the PGA TOUR, the 22-year-old suddenly found himself presented with the opportunity to win an inconceivable amount of prize money, with even the runner-up guaranteed at least 723,600 US dollars.

The rain over the course to the south of Charlotte became heavier, and Ernst once again demonstrated his incredible ability to keep a cool head. He landed his 3-iron on the first play-off hole – the 18^th – just 15 feet to the left of the pin. Lynn pulled his tee shot and then, from a poor lie, found the green bunker with a hybrid. That was game over.

And so it was that Ernst walked away with a cheque for 1.2 million US dollars for his first win on the PGA TOUR. However, the victory also came with a few bonuses for the 22-year-old American: Ernst has now climbed to 32 in the world rankings, has secured his Tour card for the next two years, and has also qualified automatically for The Players Championship next week and the 2014 Masters Tournament. “This feeling is unbelievable right now,” said Ernst.

Even a rain-induced suspension shortly before the end of the tournament could not stop Billy Horschel. The American claimed his first PGA TOUR win at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

Horschel flew to his maiden victory on the PGA TOUR with a tournament record 64 on Sunday at the TPC Louisiana. The 26-year-old American’s desire to win this tournament was summed up by the final hole.

Horschel arrived at the 18th green with one putt for the title – the only slight problem: the distance of 27 feet. However, the man from Jacksonville Beach, Florida, casually holed the putt to avoid a play-off against his compatriot D.A.Points. Horschel let out a cry of joy before announcing it was “celebration time”.

Horschel had started the final round two shots behind overnight leader and fellow American Lucas Glover. A run of six consecutive birdies later, he found himself at the top of the leaderboard. Then came the first of two rain interruptions on the final day. However, Horschel was not going to allow the break to knock him out of his stride.

Even the second suspension in play for bad weather – shortly before Horschel was about to play his approach shot to the 18^th – could not stop the graduate of Florida State University, who turned pro four years ago. Horschel kept his head to pick up the winner’s cheque for 1.19 million US dollars. In all the excitement, he still managed to take the time to phone his wife and parents from the podium in the media centre before answering reporters’ questions.

Brett Rumford had to wait six years for his fourth title on the European Tour. And when the opportunity presented itself at the Ballantine’s Championship in South Korea, the Australian was in no mood to pass it up.

35-year-old Rumford won the 2013 Ballantine’s Championship with an eagle on the first play-off hole. After 72 regular holes of the tournament at Blackstone Golf Club (par 72) in Icheon, to the south east of the South Korean capital Seoul, the Australian was tied on -11 with compatriot Marcus Fraser and Scotland’s Peter Whiteford. For a long time, however, it had looked as though Rumford would secure his fourth European Tour win in normal time.

Leading by two shots with just two holes to play, the Australian found a bush with his tee shot on the par-4 17th hole (446 yards) and went on to card a potentially disastrous double bogey. Rumford hit another poor drive on the final hole, opening the door to his two rivals Fraser and Whiteford to win the tournament on the par 5. However, neither the Australian nor the Scot was able to take advantage of his invitation.

Rumford had a brief chat with his trainer Pete Cowen before heading back down the 18th for the play-off – and the effect was instant. The Australian hit a good tee shot, landed his second to within 4 feet of the pin, and stepped up to hole his eagle putt for the win. “It was an absolute rollercoaster ride of emotions out there this afternoon,” said a visibly relieved Rumford once it was all over and he had his hands on the winner’s cheque for 367,500 Euros.

Düsseldorf’s Maximilian Kieffer now has more in common with BMW Brand Ambassador Martin Kaymer than just his initials, his home in the Rheinland region of Germany, a career representing his country as an amateur, and a passion for sporty cars: like Kaymer, the 22-year-old can count on the support of premium automobile manufacturer BMW as he continues his rise to the top of the European game.

Eckhard Wannieck, Head of BMW International Sponsoring, Cooperations and Product Placement, is delighted to be working with the Tour rookie: “Maximilian Kieffer’s outstanding performances have proven that he is one of the players of the future in Europe. His personality, exceptional golfing talent and demeanour make him an ideal ambassador for the BMW Golfsport commitment. We are looking forward to accompanying him throughout his sporting career.”

Kieffer is only too happy to return the compliment: “I am very proud of my partnership with BMW. It is an honour to work together with such a well-respected company that is so heavily involved in sport. It goes without saying that I will particularly every kilometre in my new BMW M3.”

As well as possessing a great game, one of Kieffer’s biggest attributes is his mental strength – a fact the German demonstrated emphatically last weekend: for nine play-off holes, the Tour newcomer more than held his own against the experienced Raphael Jacquelin. Kieffer eventually yielded to the Frenchman, nine years his senior, after more than two hours of “extra time” and the longest play-off in European Tour history. This success sees Kieffer climb to 37^th in the “Race to Dubai”, making him the best-placed rookie. At this early point in the season, he has already earned sufficient prize money to secure his tour card for 2014. Kieffer has enjoyed an exemplary career so far: after a successful time on the amateur circuit, he joined the Challenge Tour in 2010, from which he qualified for the European Tour – the pinnacle of professional golf in Europe – for the first time this year. And the rookie has already showcased his ability on this grand stage.

German golf fans must wait another two months before they can watch both Kaymer and the third highest-placed German on the European Tour live: from 18^th to 23^rd June, Kaymer and Kieffer will tee off at the 25^th BMW International Open at Golfclub München-Eichenried – the only European Tour event on German soil.

Europe’s magnificent Ryder Cup Team, which will forever be associated with the ‘Miracle at Medinah’ last year, will be reunited for the first time on European soil since that dramatic day in Chicago when all 12 players and their captain José Maria Olazábal tee up in the BMW PGA Championship 2013 (May 23-26).

Led by World Number Two, Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, and defending champion, Luke Donald of England, who is seeking to emulate Colin Montgomerie’s record of three consecutive victories, the Ryder Cup heroes and their inspiring leader, Olazábal, should guarantee a sense of excitement and electrifying atmosphere at the Surrey venue.

Winning captain Olazábal welcomed the news that his team will assemble once more at Wentworth Club and commented: "I am delighted that the British public will get the chance to see all of my Ryder Cup team in action at Wentworth in May. Medinah was an unforgettable experience for everyone who was there, whether it was as a player, captain or spectator, and the BMW PGA Championship is the perfect setting for the players to be reunited to show what they can do as individuals as opposed to the team environment. It promises to be a great tournament."

McIlroy is relishing the chance to get together with his team-mates again, even though, on this occasion, they are intense rivals chasing the record first prize of €791,660 from the increased prize fund of €4.75 million. 

"It will be great to have The Ryder Cup Team back together for the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth," he said. "It was such a special Ryder Cup, one that will have a special place in history, and I don’t think anyone associated with that Team will ever get tired of celebrating it."

McIlroy’s fellow Northern Irishman and Major champion, Graeme McDowell, added: "Any time the Tour gets a winning Ryder Cup Team together is pretty special, but this year will have that little bit extra because of the nature in which that particular Ryder Cup was won. To be a part Europe’s biggest ever comeback was just an amazing honour, and I am sure there will be nice Ryder Cup vibe to the BMW PGA Championship this year."

Justin Rose, who lost to Anders Hansen in a play-off in 2007 and was tied second with another of the Medinah marvel, Paul Lawrie, last year, enthused: "The BMW PGA is one of the best tournaments of the year and, for European Tour Members, it’s our big show, the one where we display what our Tour is all about so it’s one that I think every player has an eye on throughout the year and one that we all get going for."

Ryder Cup rookie Nicolas Colsaerts cannot wait for the chance to get together with his fellow history-makers in May. He said: "It’s going to be cool to have the Team back together. The way golf is nowadays and with everybody playing all over the world, it’s pretty rare to get all of the guys together so to have us all in one place at the home of The European Tour will be great."

Heroes of Medinah abound, from the talismanic Ian Poulter to BMW Ambassador, Martin Kaymer, who holed the vital putt which ensured Europe retained the trophy, will be back at Wentworth Club aiming to add the BMW PGA title to the BMW International Open crown he claimed in 2008.

Also lapping up the superb atmosphere created by the Tour’s flagship event will be Francesco Molinari – whose half point secured the outright win – six-time Ryder Cup winner Lee Westwood, former Open Champion Paul Lawrie and Sweden’s Peter Hanson while there is sure to be a special ‘welcome back’ to Sergio Garcia, who last competed in the event in 2000.

Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell had gone two years without a win to his name – Ryder Cup aside. "GMac" then had to come through a potentially tricky play-off against a Major winner before he could end his drought at the RBC Heritage on the infamous Harbour Golf Links. When it came down to extra time, however, the man from Portrush made short work of his American opponent.

Sunday’s play-off at the tournament on Hilton Head Island (South Carolina) saw McDowell, the 2010 US Open winner, go head to head with the reigning US Open champion – and the galleries did not have long to wait for a victor. A par on the first extra hole was enough to present McDowell with, as he referred to it, his first "authentic tour win". The Northern Irishman’s only previous triumph on the PGA TOUR was the US Open, whilst he currently has six tournament wins to his name on the European Tour.

Conditions on the final day were tailor-made for the Northern Irishman, who is well-versed in coping with the kind of wind that were to be found gusting over the course at speeds of up to 30 mph. The greens had to be watered during the tournament, in order to prevent the balls from being blown off the putting surface.

And while this caused great problems for the opposition, including overnight leader Charley Hoffman, McDowell, who had started the final round four shots off the lead, made steady progress up the leaderboard. By the time he reached the 11^th hole, the Northern Irishman was tied for the lead. Seven shots later he arrived at the 18^th with a one-shot lead, but was only able to card a par on the course’s famous signature hole (Lighthouse!). And so it came down to a play-off against Simpson, which the European Ryder Cup star won on the first extra hole. England’s Luke Donald and American Kevin Streelman finished tied in third place, behind McDowell and Simpson.

McDowell, who like Simpson missed the cut at the Masters in Augusta last week, received a winner’s cheque for just over one million US dollars. And GMac also realised his dream of donning a winner’s jacket on Hilton Head Island. It may not have been the famous green one (presented to the champion in August), but the traditional checked jacket really rather suited Graeme McDowell on this particular Sunday in April.

German Maximilian Kieffer and France’s Raphael Jacquelin made history at the Open de España. The two were at the centre of an unbelievable showdown as the tournament near Valencia came down to a remarkable play-off.

By the time it was all over, nobody would remember the name Marc Warren. And yet the Scot, who led going into the final round, for a long time looked certain to win the tournament at Parador de El Saler. However, two three-putts on the final two regular holes saw Warren drop back to -4 and miss out on the play-off by just one shot – and not just any old play-off, but a historic one at that.

The last time a play-off on the European Tour went to a ninth hole was back in 1989, when Spain’s José María Olazábal defeated Englishman Roger Chapman and Northern Ireland’s Ronan Rafferty after nine extra holes at the Dutch Open.

On Sunday, Chile’s Felipe Aguilar, Raphael Jacquelin of France and German European Tour rookie Maximilian Kieffer went head to head on the course at Parador de El Saler on the Mediterranean coast, south of Valencia, having all ended the tournament on -5.

The organisers had selected the 18th hole, a 466-yard par 4, as the only play-off hole. And when Aguilar bid farewell to the title race after a bogey on the third extra hole, it all boiled down to a duel between the 38-year-old Jacquelin and Kieffer, 16 years his younger.

After the pair had left the 18th green with eight pars, Jacquelin eventually sealed his fourth European Tour title with a birdie on the ninth extra hole. The Frenchman’s last win came over two years ago at the Sicilian Open.

"It’s difficult to describe how I feel," said Jacquelin. "A little bit tired at the moment, after nine holes of play-off, but I’m really happy." And the man from France also recognised the role his German opponent had played in the thrilling end to the tournament: "He’s going to win a lot of tournaments, that’s for sure."

For Max Kieffer this was the best result of a fledgling professional career: "I am obviously a bit disappointed, but that is outweighed by my pride in my performance. After just ten tournaments, I have already achieved my main goal, and have secured my tour card for next year. I can now concentrate on achieving more good results and look forward to the next few weeks full of confidence."

The BMW International is celebrating a big birthday: 25 years of precision and passion, sporting triumphs and tragedies, frustration and joy. Let our video take you on a journey through 25 years of the BMW International Open. Enjoy the ride!

In 1989, Munich plays host to the inaugural BMW International Open. For organiser BMW and golf, this is the start of a partnership that will in time raise the bar and set new standards. In 2013, the tournament is celebrating its 25th birthday (18th to 23rd June, Golfclub München Eichenried). The stars of the European Tour congratulate BMW on its anniversary, and speak about 25 years of BMW in professional golf.

Having finished runner-up on two occasions at the four most important tournaments in the world, Adam Scott won the Masters Tournament in Augusta. The Australian was made to work for his first Major title, coming through to defeat a former champion  in a tense affair on Magnolia Lane.

Argentina’s Angel Cabrera was the last man standing between Scott and his place in the history books on Sunday evening at Augusta National Golf Club. For much of the final round, it looked as though Scott’s compatriot Jason Day, who led the field going into the final 18 holes, was going to be the man to beat on Sunday. However, the 25-year-old succumbed to the pressure late on, carding bogies on 16 and 17 to drop down the leaderboard. When it came down to it, only Adam Scott and Angel Cabrera were still in contention as they stepped onto the 18th tee.

The Argentinean, with son Ángel Cabrera Junior on his bag, had his sights set on a second Augusta title, having previously won back in 2009. Scott, who missed out on his first Major victory at last summer’s Open Championship when he dramatically wasted a winning position to gift the title to Ernie Els, became the first Australian ever to don the famous green jacket presented to the Masters champion.

Scott put Cabrera under real pressure on the final regulation hole, sinking a 20-foot putt for birdie and celebrating ecstatically, as though he was destined to be crowned champion. However, his opponent, the experienced 43-year-old from Argentina, known as “El Pato” (“The Duck”) for his waddling gait, countered successfully: Cabrera landed his 7-iron from 163 yards to within 3 feet of the pin, leaving himself with an easy putt for birdie and drawing level with Scott on -9. Just as it was last year, when Bubba Watson emerged victorious against South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen, the tournament was decided in a play-off. Did this perhaps present Cabrera with a slight advantage, having won his first Masters title in a play-off four years ago?

Having both shot pars on the opening play-off hole – the par-4 18^th – the two rivals headed to the tenth hole (par 4), where Scott soon found himself with a putt from 12 feet for birdie and the win. However, deteriorating light meant the Australian had difficulty reading the putting line. Scott turned to caddie Steve Williams to give him the line for this crucial putt. And Williams, who had experienced three Masters victories whilst caddying for a certain Tiger Woods, came up trumps.

His man Scott made birdie – Cabrera could do no better than par – and realised his dream of wearing the green jacket. The Australian was helped into what is probably the most prestigious item of clothing in world golf, by last year’s winner Bubba Watson. Victory in Augusta sees the 32-year-old from Queensland climb to third in the world rankings, behind Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.

Woods was given a two-shot penalty at the end of Friday’s second round for not dropping his ball in the correct place. The world number one went on to finish fourth alongside one of the surprise packages of the tournament, Australia’s Marc Leishman, four shots off the lead.

The Valero Texas Open in San Antonio was ultimately settled between two Europeans. Scotland’s Martin Laird emerged with the title, securing his place at the US Masters and dashing the hopes of former world number one Rory McIlroy in the process.

A dazzling final round of 63, equalling the course record at the TPC San Antonio (par 72), was enough to hand Glasgow’s Martin Laird his third PGA TOUR title on Sunday. As well as picking up a healthy amount of prize money, the winner also qualified for this week’s first Major of the year – the US Masters. Laird also brought an end to the US dominance on the PGA TOUR this season: after 14 victories by home-grown players, Laird’s success was the first by a non-American in 2013.

“It is unbelievable,” said Laird after his win. “I’ve probably been asked 30 times in the last couple of weeks, ‘are you in Augusta? Are you in Augusta?’ I’ve had to say ‘no’, and every time it hurt me a little bit, after playing the last couple of Masters.”

Laird won with a score of -14 in San Antonio, finishing two shots ahead of fellow European Rory McIlroy. The Northern Irishman’s second place meant he not only missed out on his first win of the season, but also a possible return to the top of the world rankings. However, having endured a veritable loss of form in recent weeks, McIlroy was still in a positive frame of mind following his best result on the PGA TOUR since his victory at the 2012 BMW Championship last September: “I’m really pleased with my game, and think this has been a great week for me. To finish off the way I did today is great going into Augusta.”

Three Americans ended the tournament tied in third place behind the two Europeans: Jim Furyk, courtesy of a spectacular Eagle on the final hole, Charley Hoffman and Billy Horschel (all -11). Horschel had started Sunday’s final round with a lead of five shots over Laird.

30-year-old Laird, who had only finished in the prize money at four of the eight tournaments he had previously played this season, and whose best result in 2013 was a lowly 34^th place, showed his class in the early and closing stages of his final round in San Antonio: he opened with five birdies in the first six holes, before rounding off an excellent day’s work with birdies on the final three holes. The Scot’s last title on the PGA TOUR had come back in 2011, when he won the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Laird was rewarded for his victory in San Antonio with a winner’s cheque for 1.1 million US dollars.

The Championship is set to deliver an enhanced spectator experience this year as Europe’s Ryder Cup Team, triumphant from the ‘Miracle in Medinah’, regroup for the first time competitively on British soil at Wentworth Club. Spectators can also look forward to a new Park and Ride system.

A superb package of fun, celebrity-spotting and world class golf will take place over a six-day period, from May 21-26, representing outstanding value for practice day, celebrity pro-am day and the four rounds of the event. Advance ticket and hospitality packages, including 18th green grandstand seating and limited on-site parking, are available now on www.europeantour.com/tickets. Children aged 16 and under will be admitted free of charge if accompanied by an adult ticket holder.

This year sees the introduction of a new Park and Ride system to help facilitate the flow of traffic. The system will operate from two locations – one near Sunningdale, carrying traffic from the West (M3 and M4) and one at the Review Ground, Windsor Great Park, which is East of the tournament venue close to the M25. Both parks will operate free shuttle bus service to Wentworth Club every five minutes with the journey time taking around ten minutes and allowing easy access to a new Welcome Entrance through the Tented Village.

Recently, American D.A. Points was rather unhappy with his putter. Therefore, he took some sorted out examples with him to the Shell Houston Open – just in case – and in the end, a special putter helped him to not only win the event, but also qualify for the Masters.

This is one of those stories that certainly will be told several times over the course of the season. Very unhappy with his performance on the greens, Points went into the garage of his home in Orlando and took a close look at the area of ‘sorted out putters’. In the end, the 36-year old opted to take a handful of putters with him, and among them was his mother’s Ping Anser putter which was more than 25 years old.

At the age of ten or 11, Points had borrowed this club from his ma for the first time. In 2013, the grip was rather worn-out and “It doesn't run hot all the time but it has a good track record," Points said, explaining why he'd stopped using it. "It's just one of those clubs when you put it in your hands, it instantly feels good,” but then added.

Having failed to achieve a better result than a 70 in his previous nine tournament rounds and missed the cut in seven of nine tournament appearances, Points and Ma’s putter delivered in amazing style at Houston: in the end, the American secured the title, one stroke ahead of his compatriot Billy Horschel and Sweden’s Henrik Stenson – who also qualified for the Masters with this result – and was in a great mood in the interviews: “I can't wait to call Matt at Ping and say, 'Hey buddy, where's my gold-plated Anser?'

On the final day of the tournament, held at the Redstone Golf Club not far from Houston, even a thunderstorm with four more holes to go didn’t make Points lose his cool. When he was back on the course, after a three-hour break, he played four pars to secure both the title and his Masters ticket, therefore repeating a feat he had achieved two years ago. In 2011, he celebrated his first – and up to Easter Sunday – only PGA Tour title by winning the AT&T National Pro-Am at Pebble Beach and, again, he also secured his participation in Augusta, by winning the title.

Also qualified for the Masters (11^th to 14^th April), but still far from his top form, is Rory McIlroy, who recently dropped back to second in the world ranking. The Ulsterman finished 45^th in Houston and is also going to contest the Texas Open at San Antonio as preparation for the first Major of the season. “I just need match practice,” McIlroy said to explain his last-minute decision.

Marcel Siem wins the 40^th Trophée Hassan II in Agadir and, despite this, he failed to secure his maiden appearance in the Masters – as a former BMW International Open winner threw a spanner in Siem’s plans.

The fact that the rules and regulations in the world of professional golfing are complex and difficult to understand, at times, is well-known. And on Sunday, Marcel Siem had to cope with a dose of this complex situation. During the Trophée Hassan held at Agadir’s Golf du Palais Royal, he was led to believe in something that made his mouth water - that a win in Morocco would secure him his maiden appearance in the US Masters - but after the event, these beliefs proved incorrect.

At the end of the day, some of the pros contesting the Houston Open that was held on the same day but – due to the time difference – several hours later also had the chance of securing the ticket to Augusta. And one of these players was Sweden’s Hendrik Stenson, winner of the 2006 BMW International Open in Munich.

For Siem’s Masters plans to come to fruition Stenson had to finish 15^th or worse in Texas, but the Swede didn’t do the German any favours. Far from it: Stenson finished runner-up, in Houston – and Siem’s Masters dreams were history. 

Despite this, Marcel Siem can be happy with having played great golf on the way to securing his third European win after the Dunhill Championship (2004) and the Open de France (2012). From round one the 32-year old German held the lead at Agadir, and on Saturday evening, following round three, he called Bernhard Langer, Germany’s most experienced pro, for some tips on how to defend a four-stroke lead on the final day. “I spoke to Bernhard last night because I have never been in the situation of going into the final round with a big lead, and I just wanted to know if he had any advice on how to cope with that.”

And Langer even had two lots of advice available: Siem should just play his game and definitely should avoid staring at the leader board all the time, the two-time Masters winner told his younger compatriot. Siem did as he was told and, in the end, a 70 on the final day was enough for him to win the event with a three-stroke lead over Finland’s Miko Ilonen and the 2010 BMW International Open Champion, Englishman David Horsey.

But while the final result probably makes it look like it was an easy win, this wasn’t the case. At a certain point in time on Sunday, Miko Ilonen even drew level with Siem at -15. “I’m really happy,” Siem said afterwards, “that I stayed cool and calm and finally made the birdies to turn the pressure back on the guys behind me.”

And Siem has not yet given up his dream of making it to the Masters. This weekend, he will travel to San Antonio to contest the Valero Texas Open. The winner of this tournament will be rewarded with the final Masters ticket that is available.

In 1989, Munich played host to the inaugural BMW International Open. For organiser BMW and golf, this is the start of a partnership that will in time raise the bar and set new standards. In 2013, the tournament is celebrating its 25th birthday (18th to 23rd June, Golfclub München Eichenried). The anniversary year was officially launched at an opening press conference in Munich today.

The officials arrived at the BMW Museum in BMW Classic cars. Among them was golfing legend Paul Azinger. The American was in Munich as the guest of honour at the anniversary event: “Zinger” – alongside Denmark’s Thomas Björn – is one of just two players in the 25-year history of the tournament to lift the trophy on two occasions. Azinger won in 1990 and 1992 – both times in a play-off.

“Apart from the Open Championship, the BMW International Open was the first tournament I played in Europe,” Azinger recalls. “As well as the two titles, I also have a lot of very fond memories of the days spent in Munich.” Azinger was full of praise: “BMW’s commitment to golf is fantastic. We players cannot be grateful enough.”

Azinger travelled to the press conference in a sky-blue and white Isetta. Next to him at the wheel was Magnus Wiese, Head of Events, Exhibitions and Sports Marketing: “We have established something great with the BMW International Open, and have helped shape the sport of golf for 25 years. That is a success story,” said Wiese. No other tournament on the European Tour has enjoyed such a long and continuous partnership with its organisers. Wiese still remembers what was, for him personally, the most emotional experience in the history of the tournament: “Martin Kaymer’s victory in 2008 was a very special moment for all of us.”

Keith Waters, Chief Operating Officer of the European Tour, not only recognised the importance of the tournament, but also that of the BMW brand for the development of the European Tour: “The longevity and continuity of our partnership with BMW is extraordinary, and have been very lucky for the last 25 years to have a company at our side, which always strives for quality and innovation in everything it does. We have a very strong and powerful partnership with BMW.”

The best players in the world – led by world number two Rory McIlroy and BMW Brand Ambassador – also sent their best wishes for the 25th anniversary of the BMW International Open.

The only German winner in the history of the tournament, 2008 champion Martin Kaymer, will be joined by big-hitting American Dustin Johnson, British Open winner Ernie Els of South Africa, and world-class Spaniard Sergio García in Munich this summer, as they take their place among a starting field littered with top European players.

“It is still a while until the start of the BMW International Open,” explained Tournament Director Marco Kaussler, “but we have already assembled a very attractive field. By the time the tournament gets underway, I am sure we will have been able to announce one or two more big names. We are looking forward to the anniversary tournament!”

Korbinian Kofler, Managing Director of Golfclub München Eichenried, explained the modifications that have been made to the Championship Course: “We have made a lot of changes to the course. In doing so, we have created more space for greens, fairways and spectators, who will now be able to follow the action even more closely.” In total, four holes have been made more challenging in Eichenried. The tees on the 2nd and 6th holes have been moved back, while the water obstacles on the 16th and 18th have been increased in size in order to make the approach shots to the respective greens more difficult in the future.

At the end of the press conference, Magnus Wiese presented the guests of honour with a very special gift: a silver ball marker, appropriately engraved with the number “25”. Star guest Paul Azinger then tried his hand at the “Nearest to the BMW 326” competition. He showed he has lost none of his touch as he pitched the golf ball into a historic BMW 326 (built between 1936 and 1941). Azinger landed four of his five attempts in the interior of the convertible.

Paul Azinger and Keith Waters then paid a visit to the modified 16th hole in a snowy Eichenried. The pair re-enacted the legendary play-off from 1990, when Azinger came out on top against defending champion David Feherty (Northern Ireland).

“I can still remember it well,” said Azinger on Tuesday. “I was playing in the flight in front of defending champion Feherty, and pulled my shot on the 18th way left – out of bounds actually. However, the ball landed in the crowd of spectators and bounced back into play – that was a stroke of luck for me. I still managed to make birdie and force a play-off against Feherty, which I then went on to win.”

An eighth win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando saw Tiger Woods climb to the top of the FedExCup rankings. Far more significant, however, was Woods’ return to world number one after almost two and a half years.

The last time the name Woods topped the world rankings was at the end of October 2010. Woods produced an outstanding performance at the Arnold Palmer Invitational to win the tournament and dethrone the latest of his successors, Rory McIlroy. The Northern Irishman had held the title of world number one since August 2012, and could return to the top of the rankings with a win at the Houston Open this week. However, few people believe McIlroy will be back at number one quite that soon.

“It’s a by-product of hard work, patience and getting back to winning golf tournaments,” said a typically matter-of-fact Woods. His new girlfriend Lindsay Vonn was somewhat less reserved: “Number 1 !!!!!!!!!!!!!” tweeted the delighted US skiing star.

Woods had dominated the tournament at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge. Throughout the final round, he never allowed his rivals to close to within less than two shots and eventually won with a score of -13, two shots clear of England’s Justin Rose.

In winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational, at which play was extended into Monday due to severe storms, Woods also equalled another record. He now has eight victories to his name in Bay Hill. Only one other player in the history of the PGA TOUR has ever won eight titles at the same tournament: Sam Snead at the Greater Greensboro Open – 48 years ago.

Since Monday it now seems more than probable that Woods will also equal Snead’s other record in the near future: with 77 wins on the PGA TOUR – three of which have come already this season – Tiger is now just five victories away from Snead’s record of 82 wins, which many people had regarded as impossible. Woods will then have his sights set firmly on the one outstanding record: the 18 Major victories achieved by his compatriot Jack Nicklaus.

Woods has currently won 14 of the most prestigious tournaments in golf, and many believe he will take another step towards Nicklaus’s record as soon as 14^th April. In the kind of form Tiger Woods has shown so far this season, he will arrive at this year’s first Major – the US Masters – as one of the hot favourites. Were he to win, it would be his fifth victory in Augusta, his first Major since winning the US Open in 2008 - and the success to finally confirm that Tiger Woods, the exceptional player of his generation, is well and truly back to his best.

His ample figure means Kiradech Aphibarnrat is often compared to the charismatic American golfer John Daly in his home country of Thailand. However, that didn’t stop the 23-year-old from triumphing at the Maybank Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

In his previous four years as a pro, Kiradech Aphibarnrat did not have a great deal to shout about when it came to winning tournaments. The man from Bangkok, who was crowned Junior Amateur World Champion in 2003 and 2004, had won just two tournaments in his home continent of Asia: the 2009 Singha Pattaya Open, and the Sail Open in India two years later. When Aphibarnrat secured his victory at the Maybank Malaysian Open on Sunday, it was not only his maiden title on the European Tour, but also his most important win to date.  

Fourth place at the Avantha Masters in India a fortnight ago was a good indication that Kiradech Aphibarnrat is in fine form this season. The Thai refused to allow even the severe storms at the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club to stop him as he marched towards his first European Tour win. The first three days of the tournament were disrupted to such an extent that the event was ultimately reduced to three rounds, and Aphibarnrat was forced to endure another potentially nerve-wracking two-hour rain break on the final day, whilst leading South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel – himself already a winner this season – by just one shot. Ultimately, however, Aphibarnrat was simply not to be denied.

In the closing stages of the tournament, the Thai player fended off the attacks of all his closest rivals, and could even afford to bogey the final hole and still finish one shot clear of Italian Edoardo Molinari, who had shot up the leaderboard thanks to an impressive final round of 67. "This means a lot to me," said Aphibarnrat. "I have to thank my family: my mum and dad for all their support."

Denmark’s Anders Hansen, whose final round of 66 was the lowest of the day, finished third behind Aphibarnrat and Molinari, with Charl Schwartzel and Frenchman Victor Dubuisson tied in fourth place a further shot back.

While the Tampa Bay Championship came to a premature end after just two rounds for BMW Brand Ambassador Martin Kaymer, another member of the German’s golf club in America did pick up his maiden win in Florida.

Whisper Rock, a private golf club in Scottsdale, Arizona, gained another champion on the PGA TOUR on Sunday: Kevin Streelman’s triumph in Florida was a dream come true for the 34-year-old, and the result of many years of hard work. Now in his twelfth year as a professional golfer, and making his 153^rd appearance, Streelman finally won his first tournament on the US Tour on Sunday. His reward: a starting place at the US Masters in Augusta, which takes place in just three weeks. A real fairy-tale story.

In recent years, Streelman’s career had hit such a slump that he had to resort to cleaning other people’s clubs and working as a caddy for amateurs in order to make a living. His most recent title came five years ago, when he was crowned club champion at Whisper Rock – the club, at which the BMW Brand Ambassador is also a member, practices, and whose logo adorned Kaymer’s cap recently.

Streelman was understandably overwhelmed by his success at the Tampa Bay Championship, which was held on the difficult Copperhead Course at Innisbrook, Florida. "I always dreamed of getting here," he said. "So to get this is the culmination of a lot of hard work and a lot of time spent late into the evening, and getting up early in the morning. It’s really a dream come true."

Streelman moved to the top of the leaderboard on the final day courtesy of a birdie on the tricky thirteenth (par 3), before extending his lead with a spectacular long putt for another birdie on the par-3 seventeenth. The American ultimately finished two shots clear of his more illustrious compatriot Boo Weekley, whose round of 63 catapulted him up the leaderboard on Sunday. Third place went to another American, in the form of Cameron Tringale (-7). A further shot back was a group of three pros tied in fourth place: defending champion from England, Luke Donald, as well as Streelman’s fellow Americans Justin Leonard and Greg Chalmers.

Johannesburg’s Thomas Aiken claimed victory at the Avantha Masters in India and, in doing so, continued the impressive run of success that South African golfers have enjoyed on the European Tour this season.

Aiken, who carded rounds of 67, 69, 62 and 67 (-23), finished three shots clear of local favourite Gaganjeet Bhullar on Sunday to win the tournament, which was held at the Jaypee Greens Golf & Spa Resort in Greater Noida, not far from the Indian capital New Delhi.

It was the 12th tournament this season on the European Tour, and produced the sixth victory for a South African. It also marked Aiken’s second big win on the European Tour, following his triumph at the 2011 Open de España.

Aiken set the foundation for his victory with an impressive round of 62 on Saturday, which allowed him to take a three-shot lead into the final round. The 29-year-old from Johannesburg never allowed that gap to closer on Sunday, and crowned a great overall performance with a long putt for birdie on the final hole.

Aiken dedicated the win to his wife Kate, who had travelled with him to India, and then said: "I’ve been playing very nicely for the last four months, not making many mistakes, but just not sinking enough putts. This week, a few went in."

Liang Wen-chong finished third behind the South African and Bhullar – five shots behind the winner. The Chinese player also produced the shot of the week on Sunday, when he hit a hole-in-one on the seventh hole of the Jaypee Greens Golf & Spa Resort.

A record prize fund of €4.75million, an increase of €250,000 on last year, will be at stake for The European Tour’s flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship 2013, at Wentworth Club, Surrey, England, from May 23-26.

This year’s champion will receive €791,660, which is over €40,000 more than England’s Luke Donald collected for his second consecutive BMW PGA Championship success in 2012 when he finished four strokes clear of joint runners-up Paul Lawrie of Scotland and Donald’s compatriot, Justin Rose.

The total prize fund has grown by €750,000 – and the first prize by just over €125,000 - in the eight years since BMW became a Partner in the PGA Championship at Wentworth Club in 2005, when then US Open Champion Angel Cabrera picked up the first prize of €666,000 after claiming a two shot victory over 2014 European Ryder Cup captain, Paul McGinley.

George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: "The BMW PGA Championship is our Tour’s flagship event and it is important that the prize fund reflects that status. This increase to €4.75 million, offering a cheque of just under €800,000 to the 2013 champion, underlines the importance of the Championship as a key component in the season-long Race to Dubai."

Tim Abbott, Managing Director of BMW UK, said: "We value our long-term partnership with The European Tour and Wentworth Club in helping to develop the BMW PGA Championship as one of the most prestigious events in world golf. The increase in the prize fund to €4.75 million reflects this status and we look forward to another successful edition of the Championship in May."

The 2013 BMW PGA Championship will boast one of the strongest fields on The European Tour International Schedule, with many of the world’s best players in action over the famous West Course at Wentworth Club. All four days will be broadcast live on Sky Sports with highlights on BBC.

What would it be like to experience the BMW Golf Cup International World Final from a player’s perpective? Tina Havmøller from Denmark and American David Allen take you through their week in South Africa in this video. Don't miss this insight into a truly memorable experience.

Standing ovations for Gary Player, jubilation for the victorious team from South Africa and huge joy among the Germans for an outstanding second place – the official gala evening to mark the end of the BMW Golf Cup International World Final, held at one of the country’s vineyards, proved a glittering highlight and fitting climax to a fantastic week of golf at South Africa’s Fancourt Golf Resort.

Following the participation of around 100,000 players from all over the world in the qualifying rounds of the competition, BMW invited 137 players and their entourages from 47 countries to take part in the final of the world’s largest amateur golf series. Here in South Africa, however, all participants could consider themselves winners – just to have been part of the event was a reward in itself.

"This week and the entire BMW Golf Cup International have been a great success and an unforgettable experience for all involved," said Dr Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Sales and Marketing. "The participants came from four different continents and from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds. At times communication between them was difficult, but the one thing that united them was a passion for the game of golf and for the BMW brand. That’s a wonderful thing."

From Wednesday to Friday the three handicap classes, Men A (up to handicap 12), Men B (handicap 13 to 28) and Ladies (up to handicap 28), played 54 holes of Stableford competition. And the outcome remained extremely tense until the final round, when the winners of the individual competitions were finally declared: South African Ockert Douglas (net score 103), George Offenhauser (USA/115) and Ekaterina Boldyreva (Russia/115). "That is without question the highpoint of my golfing career," said a delighted Ockert Douglas: "To say I’m happy would be an understatement. It’s amazing how BMW has looked after us. You have to experience it to believe it." In addition to Ockert Douglas (HCP 5), the winning South Africa team included Kevan Hunter (HCP 15) and Lynn Butler (HCP 28).

The only slight downer was the rain that set in on Friday afternoon, which turned the golf clinic given by nine-times major winner Gary Player into a rather damp affair. Nevertheless, the 77-year-old was given warm reception by the amateurs and demonstrated his shots with panache and an impressive level of fitness. "I was very happy to accept the invitation from BMW to come to this event, " said Player, who designed all three of the courses at the Fancourt Resort. "BMW and the Golf Cup International do a great job to boost the popularity of the sport of golf."

A remarkable degree of commitment was shown by Indian golfer Jaskeerat Matharoo, who arrived at the Fancourt Resort at virtually the last minute on Tuesday, having got married only the previous weekend. She and her new husband spent their honeymoon at the five-star resort. Clearly inspired by her personal happiness, the newlywed played well enough to finish fourth in the individual classification. And while she made her way around the greens and fairways, her husband was able to enjoy the wide-ranging support programme provided for players’ partners.

Back in the day, you could bet your bottom dollar on Tiger Woods winning the WGC Championship in Doral. Then there came a time when the former number one in the world was anything but a good tip for victory. That phase in his career came to a definite end on Sunday.

Tiger Woods dominated the WGC-Cadillac Championship in Doral, near Miami. The manner in which he led the tournament from start to finish reminded many golf enthusiasts of the good old days. Woods had won the event six times in the past, and added title number seven on Sunday – the 76^th success of the 37-year-old’s PGA TOUR career. It was almost as though someone had simply turned back the clocks: Tiger was back in his red shirt and black trousers, had switched back into “combat” mode, and was simply irresistible.

Tiger’s lead on the Blue Monster Course at Doral Golf Resort, owned since 2012 by impresario Donald Trump, was ultimately cut from four shots to two over the course of the final day. By that point, however, it had already been clear for a long time that runner-up Steve Stricker would no longer be able to challenge the 14-time Major winner. Despite finishing with a rare bogey, Woods eventually ended the tournament on -19.

“It feels good,” said the winner. “Especially to play that well all week, on a difficult set-up. The greens got really quick out there today. If you left the ball in the correct spot, though, you could be pretty aggressive and shoot a good score.”

For the statisticians out there: Woods has now led after three rounds on 54 occasions on the PGA TOUR – and has gone on to win 50 of those tournaments. However, Woods did not shoot the lowest score of Sunday’s final round. That unofficial prize went to Australia’s Adam Scott with an eight-under 64. Scott moved into a share of fourth place with Spaniard Sergio García, America’s Phil Mickelson and Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell, who started the final day in second. This quartet finished five shots behind Woods.

There was also good news for world number one Rory McIlroy. Having missed the cut at the two stroke-play tournaments he has entered so far this season, the Northern Irishman carded an impressive 65 on Sunday in Doral to end the week tied in eighth on -10. In contrast, BMW Brand Ambassador Martin Kaymer endured a less promising tournament. Rounds of 76, 68, 73 and 74 (+3) meant the German had to settle for 49^th place.

Kaymer will be back in action in Florida again this week at the Tampa Bay Championship. However, he will not take part in the season’s next showdown in two weeks. Kaymer has opted not to play at the Bay Hill Invitational in Orlando, where Tiger Woods could restore the old pecking order with a third win of the season. Should he win on the course, on which both he – most recently last year – and the legendary Arnold Palmer have triumphed on seven occasions, Woods would replace Rory McIlroy at the top of the world rankings.

Congratulations to Team South Africa on winning the National Team Category at the World Final of the BMW Golf Cup International with 306 points. Team Germany (304) finished runner-up, with Team France (194) completing the podium.

In the Ladies competition (handicap of -28 and under), Russia’s Ekaterina Boldyreva emerged triumphant with an impressive 115 net points. Second place went to Germany’s Stefanie Köhler, whose 108 points at the end of the three rounds put her two points clear of third-placed Helene Desmurger of France.

The Men 1 category (handicap of -12 and under) went right down to the wire: South Africa’s Ockert Douglas came out on top with a score of 103 to add a second title to the one he won in the national team competition. Just one point behind Douglas, Yong Zhang of China finished runner-up, despite being on the same score as Taiwan’s Jeng Hung Tsai (both 102). New Zealander Colin Horton and Thailand’s Kanete Suwannarong (both 101) ended the tournament just two points behind the eventual winner.

A third continent, in the form of America, also went into the list of winners. George Offenhauser (USA, 115 points) triumphed in the Men 2 category, finishing ahead of Chingkai Hsiao of Taiwan (111), with Egypt’s Kareem Fawzy and Quan Anh Nguyen (Germany, both 110) just one shot further back. All the winners were presented with their trophies at the closing Gala Dinner by South African golf legend Gary Player and Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Sales and Marketing.

The second and penultimate round of the tournament was all about establishing a good position going into the final day. The companions, meanwhile, had the opportunity to board the catamaran “The Heads Explorer” in Knysna. The sailing trip thrilled its guests with breath-taking views and the culinary delights available on board. A memorable day drew to a close with the "Shebeen Party".

At the end of the second round, South Africa has moved into the lead in the team competition at the World Final of the BMW Golf Cup International in George (South Africa). With a score of 209 points, the local team is in pole position going into the final round and looks the most likely to succeed Malaysia, who have won the last three years in a row. The only country able to keep pace with the South Africans today was the German team, which ended the day on 205 points. France and Singapore (both 196 points) are already thirteen points off the lead in third place.

In the individual competitions, the front-runners are much more evenly matched at the top of the leaderboard. In the Ladies event, Russia’s Ekaterina Boldyreva (77 points) holds a mere two-point lead over South African Lynn Butler (75). Overnight leader Jaqueline Rosado (Mexico, 72) now finds herself in third place, ahead of Germany’s Stefanie Köhler (71).

In the Men’s 1 category, Jeng Hung Tsai of Taiwan was able to defend his position at the top of the leaderboard on 70 points. Hot on his heels are Christian Poggio (France, 68) and Kanete Suwannarong (Thailand, 68), with Colin Horton (New Zealand, 66) and Atsushi Hiratsuka (Japan, 66) not far behind.

The overnight leader in the Men’s 2 category will be under even greater pressure when he tees off on his final round tomorrow: with 74 points, George Offenhauser from the USA holds a narrow lead over Kareem Fawzy (Egypt, 73) and Quan Anh Nguyen (Germany, 73). A further four players are also within striking distance of Offenhauser going into tomorrow’s final 18 holes: Chaiyaporn Benmintra (Thailand 72), Kah Hock Ong (Singapore, 72), Luis Mena (Spain, 71) and Chingkai Hsiao (Taiwan, 71).

While the golfers at the World Final of the BMW Golf Cup International enjoyed the beauty – and the challenges – of the two Gary Player-designed Outeniqua and Montagu courses during Wednesday’s opening round, their companions took a trip through some breath-taking mountain scenery on the BMW xDrive Experience.

The evening programme featured the Team Night, which saw the national teams dine at restaurants in and around the Fancourt Golf Resort – and prepare for today’s second round in great company.

It is the final big showdown before the US Masters – and the WGC Championship in Doral appears to have taken on even greater importance for one player in particular: world number one Rory McIlroy is desperate for another decent result to silence his critics.

McIlroy has played three tournaments this year. He missed the cut at two of them and did not even make it past the opening round at the third event – the WGC-Matchplay in Arizona. A classic false start, and one that many of those who follow the game believe can be traced back to the 23-year-old Northern Irishman’s change in material supplier at the start of the year. McIlroy himself claims the problem does not lie with the new clubs, but his swing. “The problem is, I’m bringing the club too upright on the backswing then dropping it in too much on the downswing,” he explains.

Whether technical or mental, the world number one’s problems were highlighted by the moment causing quite a stir in the golfing world at the moment. Last week McIlroy retired from the Honda Classic in Florida. Eight holes into the second round, having already amassed a score of 8 over par for the day, he simply walked off the course after – as the US magazine ‘Sport Illustrated’ revealed – he “just saw red”. The immediate official explanation was that an extremely sore wisdom tooth had caused him to withdraw. A strange way for McIlroy’s title defence to come to an end.

The Northern Irishman later spoke openly to ‘Sports Illustrated’: “What I did was not good for the tournament, not good for the kids and the fans who were out there watching me – it was not the right thing to do.” McIlroy has since released an official statement apologising for his behaviour at the Honda Classic. However, it is clear to everyone that all eyes will be on him and his swing at this week’s WGC Championship on the infamous Blue Monster Course in Doral, near Miami.

Martin Kaymer is likely to receive somewhat less public attention in Doral. The BMW Brand Ambassador may have recorded considerably better results than McIlroy so far this year, yet Kaymer was still disappointed following his outing at the Honda Classic – particularly the weekend’s final two rounds in difficult conditions. “All things considered, there were once again a few small issues on the final two days. My irons were too far from the flag and I struggled with my putting,” Kaymer explained on his Facebook page. Things can only get better for the German in Doral.

The serious business of the golf competition at the World Final of the BMW Golf Cup International got underway at the Fancourt Gold Resort today. After 18 of the 54 holes, the tops of the leaderboards in each of the three categories have a cosmopolitan look to them.

In the ladies competition, two players hold a slight lead over the rest of the field. Jaqueline Rosado of Mexico and Russia’s Ekaterina Boldyreva are tied in first place on 40 net points, followed just one point back by Marie-Helene Desmurge of France.

The men are also packed together at the top of the leaderboard after day one. Jeng Hung Tsai of Taiwan leads Category 1 on 35 points, ahead of an amateur enjoying his “home event”: South African Ockert Douglas (34). Just one point behind the leading pair is a group of three players tied in third place: Kanete Suwannarong (Thailand), Alberto Elmer Gardiola (Philippines) and Zhang Yong (China).

It is a similar story in Category 2, with three players tied in third place: Youshaa Ravate (La Réunion), Chingkai Hsiao (Taiwan) and Quan Anh Nguyen (Germany) each have 38 net points to their name. Singapore’s Kah Hock Ong leads this category on 40 net points, ahead of Thomas Hirsiger (39) of Switzerland.

The official training round was scheduled for Tuesday. For the World Finalists, this represented the final opportunity to familiarise themselves with the Gary Player-designed golf courses at the Fancourt Resort ahead of the start of the tournament. Their companions, meanwhile, were able to enjoy a varied fringe programme.

The BMW xDrive Experience took them on a spectacular route over the Montagu and Outeniqua passes, offering captivating views and the opportunity to experience the benefits of the intelligent four-wheel drive system – BMW xDrive – at the wheel of the latest BMW models. The Kleinkrantz Tour along a no less spectacular coastal road finished up at a picturesque beach. The highlight of the day was the evening event – an "African Wildlife Experience" in Botlierskop.

138 amateur golfers from 48 nations have arrived in South Africa. And although each of them is already a winner, their nerves will only increase as the greatest moment of their golfing lives approaches.

On 4 – 9 March 2013 the best amateur players from around the world – having qualified from a starting field of some 100,000 hopefuls – will go head-to-head amid the beautiful surroundings of the Fancourt Golf Resort for the World Final of the BMW Golf Cup International. The concluding event of the world’s largest tournament series for amateur golfers is an undeniably unique and unforgettable experience.

The competitors will line up in three categories – Men A (handicap of –12 or better), Men B (handicap of -13 to -28) and Ladies (handicap of –28 or better) – for three rounds totalling 54 holes to decide the individual winners. The net scores of the participants from the different countries are then added together for the National Team competition. The winners here will following in the footsteps of the Malaysians who have emerged victorious in each of the last three editions of the BMW Golf Cup International World Final. The competition will take place over the Montagu and Outeniqua courses at the five-star Fancourt Golf Resort, which is hosting the event for the fifth time.

The finalists can look forward to a very special visit – above and beyond the sporting battles ahead. South African golfing legend Gary Player will hold a golf clinic for the competitors on the Friday. And in the evening, Player will join Dr Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Sales and Marketing, at a gala dinner to present the trophies. 77 years old he may be, but the nine-times major champion is brimming with vitality. Player designed all three courses at the Fancourt Resort.

The competitors and their companions arrived at Fancourt on Monday, 4 March. Today they will have the chance to play a practice round before the serious business begins: three tournament rounds (with no cut) from Wednesday to Friday to decide the winners. As well as golf, the guests will be treated to an exciting off-course programme, beginning with yesterday’s opening evening event and welcome for all 48 participating countries hosted by star South African TV presenter Jo-Ann Strauss. An atmospheric Olympics-style flag parade is also on the agenda. The highlight of the off-course activities, however, is the BMW xDrive Experience. This off-road touring experience through the nearby mountains will be followed by a chance to taste some local wines.

The last time American Michael Thompson teed off on the PGA TOUR, he missed the cut by a country mile. He bounced back in style, however, winning the prestigious Honda Classic – and showing Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods how it is done in the process.

For long periods of the final round of the Honda Classic, it looked as though Michael Thompson’s dream was set to come true. The man from Arizona had dreamed of arriving at the 18th green to a wall of applause from the galleries with an unassailable lead on the way to his maiden victory on the PGA TOUR. However, things did not turn out to be quite that simple for Thompson.

The 27-year-old did manage to open up a comfortable four-shot lead – thanks to an eagle putt from 50 feet on the fourth hole. However, by the time Thompson hit his approach to the 18th green at the PGA National Champion Course at Palm Beach Gardens (Florida), his lead over Australian Major-winner Geoff Ogilvy (2006 US Open) had been cut to just one shot. What would he do next?

Thompson opted to go on the attack. He reached for his 5-wood and, from about 240 yards out, sent his ball soaring along the large lake to the right of the fairway and into the left-hand green bunker. He followed this with a bunker shot and a putt for a birdie and a final round of 69. This gave him a final score of -9 and victory over Ogilvy (-7), who had produced an excellent final round until shortly before the end. Third place went to Thompson’s compatriot Luke Guthrie (-5). BMW Brand Ambassador Martin Kaymer finished 51st after rounds of 71, 66, 76 and 74 (+7).

Thompson’s success at the Honda Classic is not only proof that rookies should by no means be ruled out at prestigious tournaments. It is also evidence of his strong character. Only two weeks ago, Thompson unceremoniously missed the cut at another big tournament, the Northern Trust Open at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades (California), after disappointing rounds of 78 and 80.

Thompson bounced back on Sunday to claim his first win on the PGA TOUR – a success that not only secured his tour card for the next two years, but also a starting place at the WGC Championship in Florida this week. Among those teeing off at the Blue Monster Course in Doral, near Miami, will be Martin Kaymer. The German will be joined at the second event in this year’s WGC series by two big names who are struggling to hit top form so far in 2013.

World number one and defending champion Rory McIlroy walked off the course during the second round of the Honda Classic, meaning he is yet to complete four rounds of a stroke-play tournament this year. Meanwhile, the Northern Irishman’s closest rival in the world rankings battled his way grimly to the end of the tournament. Tiger Woods (+4) ultimately ended with an unsatisfactory 37th place. With the US Masters coming up at the end of the month, it is high time the two superstars found some kind of form.

The six tournaments held in South Africa at the start of the 2013 European Tour have been dominated by locals – with the final event in the series, the Tshwane Open, proving no exception.

This season, five of the six tournaments staged on South African soil have been won by South Africans. Dawie van der Walt, who was born in Paarl on the Western Cape but now lives in Texas, had the final word on Sunday, winning his first European Tour title at the Copperleaf Golf & Country Estate. Prior to his success at Copperleaf, van der Walt’s only previous wins had come at tournaments in lower-level series in the USA.

A final score of -21 was enough for the 30-year-old to finish two shots clear of compatriot Darren Fichardt, who is a far more familiar name in golfing circles. Fichardt had already won this season’s Africa Open, thus making his contribution to the sweeping success of South African golfers at European Tour events held in their native country. Only Scotland’s Scott Jamieson has managed to break the locals’ stranglehold, winning the Nelson Mandela Championship back in December.

Chilean Mark Tullo did have a second foreign triumph within his reach on Sunday at the Tshwane Open. Going into the final 18 holes, Tullo was tied for the lead with van der Walt and his fellow South Africans Fichardt and Charl Coetzee. However, Tullo’s nerves let him down and he ended the tournament with a final round of 77. The best-placed man from outside South Africa was American Peter Uihlein (-17). The former number one in the amateur world rankings finished fourth behind van der Walt, Fichardt and Louis de Jager.

The victorious van der Walt’s final round of 67 included an eye-catching eagle on the fourth hole (par 5), which at 685 yards is the longest hole in the history of the European Tour. Afterwards he said: “You start doubting yourself, and at 30 years old you start to wonder whether you’re good enough. This shows me that I am.”

The first WGC event of the season saw American Matt Kuchar demonstrate why he is viewed by many as the best match play golfer in the world at present. Even the defending champion could do nothing to stop him.

Last year’s winner Hunter Mahan was unable to prevent his compatriot Matt Kuchar from winning the final of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. In unusually cold temperatures at the course in Dove Mountain (Arizona), Mahan arrived at the final having never trailed in his last eleven matches in the tournament – a record spanning 169 holes of competition. However, it was a very different story in the final against Florida-born Kuchar, who now lives in Georgia.

Mahan found himself trailing “Kuch” from the fourth hole and, as hard as the 30-year-old Californian tried, he was unable to find a way back into the match. At one point Kuchar, four years Mahan’s senior, led by four holes. The fact that the winning margin was ultimately somewhat closer was down to the fighting spirit shown by Mahan, which was finally broken on the 17^th hole.

Having cut Kuchar’s lead to one hole with a birdie on the 16^th to give himself a chance of at least forcing a play-off, defending champion Mahan shot himself in the foot on the par-four 17th. He pulled his drive into a bunker, then saw his escape from the sand land in a bush. Mahan ultimately took four shots just to reach the green.

He conceded Kuchar’s birdie putt to present his fellow American with another big title to go with the Players Championship he won last year. Victory in Arizona sees Kuchar climb to eighth in the world rankings. The third place match in Dove Mountain saw Australia’s Jason Day defeat Englishman Ian Poulter 1 up. BMW Brand Ambassador Martin Kaymer went out to Mahan in the third round.

The tournament in Arizona was characterised by unbelievable weather and the early exits of a number of the game’s biggest names. After snowstorms had caused the first round to be delayed, the world number one and two both crashed out in the opening round.

Rory McIlroy was the victim of a shock defeat at the hands of Ireland’s Shane Lowry, while Tiger Woods lost to his old pal Charles Howell III. One round later the number three in the world suffered the same fate. England’s Luke Donald, who had knocked out German Marcel Siem in round one, lost to American Scott Piercy, leaving the door open to the players outside the top three.

When BMW Brand Ambassador Martin Kaymer tees off in his adopted home of Arizona, it will give him the first real indication of what kind of shape he is in early on in the season. The man from Düsseldorf will go head to head with the world’s top players at the WGC Match Play Championship in Dove Mountain.

Kaymer’s opening round duel against South African Georg Coetzee gets underway at 09:55 (local time). Should Kaymer win this match at the Ritz Carlton Resort in Dove Mountain, he will face either his Ryder Cup team-mate Lee Westwood (England) or Spain’s Rafael Cabrero-Bello in the second round.

Two hours and ten minutes after Kaymer has teed off, world number one Rory McIlroy will take to the course for only his second tournament of the season. The Northern Irishman hit the headlines earlier this year with a spectacular, highly lucrative change of supplier. From a sporting point of view, he still has plenty of potential to improve: McIlroy missed the cut at his only other appearance in 2013, the Abu Dhabi Championship in January.

If rumours are to be believed, McIlroy, who is seeded number one at this WGC event, will have a new putter and a shaft for his new driver in his bag in Dove Mountain, courtesy of his new equipment supplier. Last year, McIlroy lost out to American Hunter Mahan in the final in Arizona. This year he faces an old friend in round one: he and his opponent Shane Lowry played against each other on more than one occasion during their junior careers.

Like McIlroy, world number two Tiger Woods also failed to qualify for the weekend’s play in Abu Dhabi a month ago. The American, a three-time winner of the WGC Match Play, will launch his campaign 20 minutes after McIlroy. Woods plays compatriot and friend Charles Howell III, and is looking to roll back the years with another victory.

Since his last victory at the WGC Match Play in 2008, he has not progressed beyond the second round. His preparations for Dove Mountain included a round with a high-class opponent: three days prior to the start of the tournament, Woods took to the course with none other than US President Barack Obama. The result, as you can imagine, remains top secret.

As a young boy, John Merrick used to stand alongside the fairways at the famous Riviera Country Club and dream of one day teeing off there at a PGA TOUR event. He did just that last week – and won.

John Merrick has achieved one of his biggest dreams. On Sunday, the 30-year-old from Long Beach won the Northern Trust Open on the very same course, at which he used to stand and watch the pros in action when he was just a boy. Then, as a student at the nearby UCLA in the early 2000s, Merrick used to play the odd morning round at Riviera with his team-mates on the university golf team “Bruins”.

“I can’t put this into words,” said Merrick after his victory, his eyes welling with tears, “I always just wanted to play this tournament.” And in February 2013 he played it better than anyone else – although it was ultimately an extremely close affair.

On the way to winning his local title, Merrick had to defeat his compatriot Charlie Beljan in a play-off. His opponent did do him a favour on the second extra hole, however, when his nerves let him down on the tenth. Beljan pulled his drive on the tricky par four and was unable to atone for his mistake. So it was that Merrick’s par putt was enough to secure victory at one of the most prestigious tournaments on the US tour – a win that also saw him climb to fourth in the FedExCup rankings.

Behind Merrick and Beljan, third place was shared by Sweden’s Fredrik Jacobson, American Bill Haas, who had started the final round with a three-shot lead, and South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel. All three missed out on the play-off by just one shot and could only listen on as the local fans celebrated Merrick’s victory with patriotic chants of “U-C-L-A” and “Long Beach”.

Having won his first tournament last season, after nine long years on the European Tour, Darren Fichardt now knows that he is capable of winning – and, as of Sunday, so do his compatriots in South Africa.

After rounds of 69, 67, and 65, a final round of 71 on Sunday was sufficient for Fichardt to win the Africa Open at the East London Golf Club (par 72) on the Eastern Cape. It was his fourth title at an event belonging to the European Tour. The 37-year-old from Pretoria last walked away with a winner’s trophy at the Saint-Omer Open in France last June.

Fichardt went into the final round of the Africa Open level with compatriot Jaco van Zyl, and rapidly opened a four-shot lead over his struggling flight partner van Zyl by the halfway point.

However, the comfortable lead caused Fichardt to lose his focus, as he admitted later: “I was putting unbelievably and then I missed a short putt at the 14^th and thought ‘what’s going on here?’”

However, Fichardt had done enough and eventually finished two shots ahead of van Zyl and France’s Grégory Bourdy to ensure that the fourth staging of the tournament on the Eastern Cape was also won by a local; Fichardt joins his compatriots Charl Schwartzel (2010) and Louis Oosthuizen (2011, 2012) in the winners’ list.

As well as the winner’s cheque for 158,500 Euros, victory brought with it another plus for Fichardt: the South African climbs into the top 100 in the world rankings. To be more precise, he is now number 100 in the world.

After finishing runner-up for the past two weeks, Brandt Snedeker confirmed his stunning form with victory at the prestigious AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am this weekend. The win backs up common belief that the man from Nashville is currently the best player in the world.

Snedeker first lost out to Tiger Woods in Torrey Pines, where the former world number one is virtually unbeatable. The following week he had to settle for second behind local favourite Phil Mickelson in Scottsdale. All that was missing at Pebble Beach was another runner-up spot behind Rory McIlroy, and he would have narrowly missed out to all three of the biggest stars in the world of golf within the last three weeks.

However, McIlroy was not in action at Pebble Beach, although the event on the west coast of the USA was once again littered with big names – including actor Bill Murray, ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, and American football coach Jim Harbaugh. Instead, Brandt Snedeker took the opportunity to show that he is also one of the biggest names on the golf scene at present.

A tournament record for the final round of 65 shots and a final score of -19 was enough for the 32-year-old from Nashville, Tennessee, to finish two shots clear of his compatriot Chris Kirk (-17) and pocket the winner’s cheque for 1.17 million US dollars. The win not only sees Snedeker extend his lead in the FedExCup, in which he is the defending champion, but he also rises to fourth place in the world rankings; only McIlroy, Woods and England’s Luke Donald, who all opted not to tee off at the AT&T, are above him.

Snedeker’s record so far this year is mightily impressive: five appearances, two wins and two runner-up spots. Only at the Humana Challenge did he have to settle for a relatively disappointing 23^rd place. The secret to Snedeker’s success has been his magnificent putting and a significant improvement in the number of fairways he hits from the tee.

The best golfer in the world, on current form, will now take a short break. Snedeker is taking his family to Maui, Hawaii, to escape from the hype surrounding his recent achievements. However, the peace and quiet is not set to last long. Brandt Snedeker will tee off at his next big tournament on 20^th February, when he will go head to head with the rest of the world’s top players at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in the Arizona Desert.

After a long time out with injury and second place last week, South Africa’s Richard Sterne is back to winning ways on the European Tour – and at his home event too.

After more than four years without a victory, Sterne won the Joburg Open in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Sunday. The 31-year-old, with homes at his birthplace in Pretoria and in Manchester (England), secured his sixth title on the European Tour with a new tournament record of 27 under par. The last time Sterne had picked up a winner’s trophy was at the South Africa Open in 2008.

Back then, Sterne was number 29 in the world and seen as a player with huge potential to reach dizzy heights – but then it all went rather quiet. Painful arthritis in his back prevented him from playing much golf at all and saw Sterne plummet down the world rankings. He ultimately found himself back outside the top 1000 – in no man’s land.

Only this year has Sterne, who is now pain-free again, been able to demonstrate why experts once had him down as one of the big hopes on the European Tour. Last week he had to settle for runner-up to Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher at the Omega Dubai Classic – despite leading at the halfway point. In Johannesburg there was simply no stopping him.

Starting the final 18 holes at Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club tied for the lead with his compatriot Trevor Fisher Junior, Sterne eventually finished an impressive seven shots clear of fellow South African Charl Schwartzel. Major-winner Schwartzel already has a victory in South Africa to his name this season, having triumphed at the Alfred Dunhill Championship.

"After all the hard work and the time out with injury, I did wonder whether I was ever going to win again," said an emotional Sterne after his victory."At one point the pain was so bad that I even wondered if I’d ever play golf again. But now I know I can."

American Phil Mickelson narrowly missed out on a new PGA TOUR record on his way to a dominant victory at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

Phil Mickelson was not far off carding the lowest score in the history of the PGA TOUR on Sunday afternoon at TPC Scottsdale. After rounds of 60, 65, 64 and 67, the left-hander’s score of 28 under par came up just two shots short of the record, set by Tommy Armour III at the 2003 Texas Open. However, Mickelson did equal the tournament record in Phoenix, matching the 28-under score achieved by his compatriot Mark Calcavecchia at the TPC Scottsdale in 2001.

This was Mickelson’s third title in Phoenix and his 41st on the PGA TOUR. And there is potential for more success at this week’s AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in California, at which Mickelson will tee off as defending champion.

Fellow American Brandt Snedeker finished runner-up, four shots behind Mickelson. Starting the day six points behind the leader, the reigning FedExCup champion did try to close the gap early on in the day. As Mickelson was the picture of consistency, however, Snedeker had to settle for the runner-up spot – just as he had the previous week, when he finished second behind Tiger Woods. Third place in Phoenix went to the man who shot the lowest round of the final day: Scott Piercy carded a 61 on Sunday to end the tournament on -23.

Coming into Sunday’s final round, Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher was able to call upon the experience gained at over 400 tournaments on the European Tour. However, only one of these had ended in victory – and that was nine years ago. That all changed on Sunday, when he finally came out on top again at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic – thanks in no small part to five eagles.

Many of those watching were in agreement, that this year’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic was not won on Sunday, but on Saturday. It was then that 38-year-old Stephen Gallacher – a nephew of former Ryder Cup captain Bernhard Gallacher – produced a very special performance.

On the final hole of the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai, Gallacher sank a bunker shot from a good 40 yards to score one of his five eagles over the course of the four rounds. The resulting round of 62 put him three shots clear of South Africa’s Richard Sterne at the top of the leaderboard.

However, despite the comfortable lead, the final round was anything but a stroll in the park for the Scot, who finished tied in second place at last year’s tournament. It ultimately took another miraculous little shot to clinch the title.

Gallacher’s lead over the relentless Sterne had been cut to two shots as he stepped onto the tee of the par-four 16th. Using his new driver – his previous one having broken in Qatar last week – he found the rough. However, the man from West Lothian reached for his sand wedge and promptly landed the ball in the hole from 115 yards for – you guessed it – an eagle.

Stephen Gallacher eventually claimed the title in the desert emirate with a score of -21, three shots ahead of Richard Sterne. The Scot’s last victory on the European Tour came nine years ago, at the Dunhill Links Championship in St. Andrews. Third place was shared by Chilean Felipe Aguilar and Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen (both -17).

Victory in Dubai catapults Gallacher from 111 to 56 in the world rankings, giving a starting place at the World Match Play Championship in Arizona this month, and increasing his chances of making the first Masters appearance of his 18-year professional career. To do this, however, he must first force his way into the top 50 over the coming weeks. "Every year I sit at home watching the Masters with the kids, " said Gallacher. "Obviously it would be a dream. "

It was the same old story in Torrey Pines. Whenever Tiger Woods tees off at a tournament there, the number of favourites for the title is reduced dramatically. The only difference this year was that the weather did not exactly play ball in San Diego.

Rain and fog over the South Course at Torrey Pines (California) meant the organisers of the 2013 Farmers Insurance Open had to tinker with the regular tournament schedule somewhat. With no play possible on the Saturday, the pros had to return on Monday – although, all but one could realistically have saved themselves the bother.

Former world number one Tiger Woods did what he usually does on this course, and won. Woods has now won the tournament seven times, and his most recent success at Torrey Pines came in the form of the 2008 US Open. From a statistical viewpoint, then, it is no wonder that Woods started Monday’s final round with a six-shot lead. With five holes still to play, he had increased this lead to a formidable eight shots. By this point, the majority of fans had forgotten that Woods failed miserably to make the cut at the Abu Dhabi Championship in Doha the previous week.

Woods put the dropped shots with which he ended the event at Torrey Pines down to distractions caused by the slow flights ahead of him and the behaviour of the crowds, who had received free entry and did not always strictly observe golfing etiquette. However, it may also have had something to do with the fact that Woods had to play the seven holes that were still remaining when the previous day’s play was suspended, as well as the final 18 holes.

So it was that Woods closed out his final round with two bogeys and a double-bogey, and ultimately had to settle for a closing 72. This was enough, however, to secure the American his 75th tournament win on the PGA TOUR. Tied in second place, four shots back from Woods (-14), were fellow Americans Josh Teater and defending champion Brandt Snedeker.

Woods’ 75th victory on the PGA TOUR sees him draw closer to the magic record set by legend Sam Snead (USA), who won 82 times over the course of his career. Woods achieved another personal benchmark in Torrey Pines: it was the first time in his career he had won a tournament the week after missing a cut.

Before the weekend, England’s Chris Wood was seen by many as a player with an uncanny knack of  snatching defeat from the jaws of victory over the final 18 holes of a tournament. In Qatar, the 25-year-old well and truly put this theory to bed.

It is not as though Chris Wood’s career was completely lacking in successful moments until Sunday in Doha. As an amateur, he finished a sensational fifth at the 2008 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. He then turned pro and promptly came third at the 2009 Open at Turnberry – a result that went a long way to earning the man from Bristol the European Tour’s “Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year” award in the same year.

However, the tall Englishman was made to wait before he could eventually get his hands on a winner’s trophy. Instead, Wood developed a reputation as a bit of a choker: in 2010 he missed out on the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth after a final round of 77, and he threw away a four-shot lead at the 2011 Mallorca Open. He did, however, rediscover that winning feeling with victory at last August’s Thailand Open on the OneAsia Tour – by just one shot. Still, that illusive European Tour win remained just beyond Wood’s considerable reach.

Even on Saturday, Wood’s tournament seemed to be following a familiar course in Doha. He went into the final round with of the Qatar Masters with a three-shot advantage over the rest of the field – but the Englishman soon found himself two shots off the lead by the halfway point. Same old story? Not a chance.

Chris Wood stepped onto the final tee at the Doha Golf Club – a par 5 that had been moved forward by 60 yards – and struck an irresistibly long drive to leave himself with a 202-yard five iron to the pin. Woods then sank the resulting 12-foot putt for eagle, and clichéd a dramatic win by just one shot (-18). The runner-up spot was shared by South African Georg Coetzee and Spain’s Sergio García (both -17), for whom a win in Qatar would have meant a return to the top ten in the world rankings for the first time for over three years.

After celebrating his maiden title on the European Tour with some energetic fist pumping, Chris Wood calmly pointed out something that had become increasingly clear to him over the last three years: “Winning on the European Tour is not easy.” At least he now knows that, whilst it may not be easy, it is definitely possible.

Shortly before the start of the Qatar Masters, BMW Brand Ambassador Martin Kaymer has announced his tournament schedule for the months ahead. Up until April 2013, his focus will be away from the European Tour.

This week’s Qatar Masters in Doha, which BMW is supporting as “Official Car Partner”, is the second tournament Kaymer will have played this year. After that, the current world number 28 will take a break from the European Tour – although three of the next five tournaments on Kaymer’s schedule are co-sanctioned events that form part of the European Tour and the PGA TOUR.

From Qatar, Kaymer will return to his second home in Scottsdale (Arizona), where he will tee off the following week at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, which belongs to the PGA TOUR and is held at the TPC Scottsdale. At this legendary event, 20,000 spectators greet every ball with cheers on its way to the 16^th green (par 3) – or, in the case of a poor shot, with loud boos. Martin Kaymer knows this feeling well: he made his first appearance at the tournament in 2010, and promptly missed the cut.

After the thrilling atmosphere of the Phoenix Open, Kaymer has given himself a two-week break before playing his first WGC Event of the year, which belongs to both the PGA TOUR and the European Tour: the Accenture Match Play Championship at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Dove Mountain, just two hours’ drive from Kaymer’s US home in Scottsdale. Last year the man from Düsseldorf lost to America’s Matt Kuchar in the third round. Twelve months prior to this, Kaymer had made it to the final, where he lost out to England’s Luke Donald.

After another two-week break, Germany’s top golfer heads to California for the second WGC event: the Cadillac Championship, in Donald Trump’s Doral Resort in Miami (Florida). Kaymer finished 20^th at last year’s tournament on the “Blue Monster” course. One week after Doral, Kaymer will tee off at the Tampa Bay Championship in Innisbrook on the west coast of Florida. The German again finished tied in 20^th place there in 2011.

To date, Martin Kaymer’s schedule features just one tournament in April – but it is one of the most important in the golfing world: the Masters in Augusta. The BMW Brand Ambassador has set his sights high for the first Major of the season. He is out to prove that any talk of his weakness when it comes to drawing the ball is a thing of the past. In the course of the adjustments he has made to his swing over the last twelve months, Martin Kaymer has worked very hard on his draw. And with great success. Bring on Augusta.

Martin Kaymer’s tournament schedule.

Up to 26^th January – Commercialbank Qatar Masters (European Tour)
31^st January to 3^rd February: Waste Management Phoenix Open (PGA TOUR)
21^st to 24^th February – WGC Accenture Match Play Championship (European Tour/PGA TOUR)
7^th to 10^th March – WGC Cadillac Championship (European Tour/PGA TOUR)
14^th to 17^th March – Tampa Bay Championship (PGA TOUR)
11^th to 14^th April – Masters Tournament (European Tour/PGA TOUR)

Die Humana Challenge im kalifornischen La Quinta entpuppte sich als eine Art Low-Score-Contest. Nach vier Runden hatten drei Spieler ein Ergebnis von 25 unter Par. Am Ende konnte aber – wie stets – nur einer gewinnen.

Brian Gay is the delighted winner of the tournament, which was staged on the Palmer Course at La Quinta’s PGA West. Like his compatriot Charles Howell III. and the Swedish Tour rookie David Lingmerth, the 41-year-old Texan fired a remarkable score of -25 over the course of 72 holes. The result was a three-way play-off. At stake: a winner’s cheque for just over a million US dollars.

Sweden’s Lingmerth stumbled on the first extra hole (the par-5 18th), dropping out of contention following a bogey. When Gay then landed a 297-yard drive in the centre of the fairway on the second extra hole, the tenth (par 4), his job was as good as done. The resulting birdie – Howell III. had pulled his drive into the rough – was sufficient to give Gay his first victory after three and a half years on the PGA TOUR.

"I’m still in a little bit of shock,” said Gay, whose last win came at the St. Jude Classic back in 2009. Previously known as a “short-hitter”, Gay worked particularly hard on improving the length of his drives last year – and with success, as it appears.

Gay carded a bogey-free final round of 63 in La Quinta on Sunday, which included nine birdies on the first 13 holes. Five pars on the remaining holes was enough to secure a place in the play-off. In actual fact, Gay came within a whisker of saving himself the drama of ‘extra time’, but narrowly missed an eight-foot birdie putt for victory on the very last regular hole.

The big loser on the final day of the Humana Challenge was Scott Stallings. The American led the field on 22 under par at the start of the day – five shots clear of the field. In the end, however, the two-time PGA TOUR winner missed out on the play-off after a round of 70.

Stallings missed the green with his approach shot on the 18^th, initially finding the rough before his ball rolled into the water hazard. A penalty stroke later, Stallings failed to make a 10-foot putt for par, which would have earned him a place in the play-off. “I’m fed up, but that is something I will definitely learn from,” said the 27-year-old. He does have one consolation: Stallings and his wife Jennifer are expecting their first child shortly.

BMW Brand Ambassador Martin Kaymer has carried the momentum he picked up at the end of 2012 into this year, getting the 2013 season off to a successful start with sixth place at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship on Sunday.

The man from Düsseldorf ended the final round with a score of -9, five shots behind the victorious Jamie Donaldson from Wales. This meant Kaymer missed out on his fourth title at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club, having previously won the tournament in 2008, 2010 and 2011. “I am really happy with my first top-ten finish this year, even though it was not quite enough to come out on top,” said Kaymer.

The event in Abu Dhabi had a real sting in its tail – particularly for Justin Rose. The English Ryder Cup star had topped the leaderboard since the opening round. However, the current world number four was unable to find top gear and could do nothing to prevent the impressive Donaldson from passing him in the finishing straight. The Welshman’s victory sees him climb from 47^th in the world rankings to 29^th, right behind Martin Kaymer. Donaldson’s title in Abu Dhabi was confirmation of the good form he showed last year, when he won his first tournament on the European Tour at the Irish Open and ended the season in the top 20 in the Race to Dubai.

The win came as something of a surprise for the 37-year-old Welshman: “Winning here is a bit crazy given the start of the tournament week. I played the Pro-Am and thought: ‘this golf course is just too difficult’,” said Donaldson on Sunday. Ultimately, however, it was the hot favourites who struggled to come to terms with the par-72 course. The top two players in the world, Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) and his closest rival Tiger Woods (USA), missed the cut at the halfway point.

Even without these two superstars, the final round developed into a dramatic finale. Donaldson led by two shots heading down the par-five 18^th, but then three-putted on the final green. That opened the door for Justin Rose and Thorbjörn Olesen behind him. However, both the Englishman, who had lost the lead courtesy of a bogey on the 16^th, and the Dane were both unable to take advantage, missing out on the birdies that would have forced a play-off. Rose did come agonisingly close, but could only stand and watch as his putt lipped out.

One man who was left high and dry by Lady Luck on Sunday was Rose’s compatriot David Howell. The winner of the 2005 BMW International Open and 2006 BMW PGA Championship has enjoyed a long-overdue return to form recently, and found himself in a tie for the lead in Abu Dhabi until a triple-bogey on the 13^th brought an abrupt end to his challenge. Howell eventually finished tied in sixth place with Martin Kaymer and Joost Luiten (Netherlands).

BMW Brand Ambassador Martin Kaymer has won the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship more often than any other professional tournament. For this reason alone, he is regarded as one of the favourites this week – alongside his two flight partners.

When Martin Kaymer opens his campaign at the 2013 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship from the tenth tee of the Abu Dhabi Golf Club (par 72) at 07:40 local time on Thursday, he will be joined in his flight by two of the hottest favourites to win the tournament. Kaymer will play the opening two rounds alongside world number one Rory McIlroy and his predecessor Tiger Woods.

"Wow" was how Kaymer summed up his flight on his Facebook page. “What a flight for the first two rounds! I’m really looking forward to playing with Tiger and Rory. I think there will be a few more spectators than usual.”

Kaymer has teed off in Abu Dhabi on six occasions, and could regard the event as ‘his tournament’. He claimed his first win on the European Tour here in 2008, and repeated this success in 2010 and 2011. In 2009 he finished runner-up behind England’s Paul Casey. Only last year did the man from Düsseldorf slip up, missing the cut for the first time.

However, this negative experience is long since water under the bridge. Martin Kaymer is back – a fact he proved emphatically with his winning putt at the Ryder Cup and the successful defence of his title at December’s invitational tournament in Sun City, South Africa. Another win in Abu Dhabi would create another little bit of history: as the event in the desert emirate is in its eighth year, Kaymer would have won exactly half of the tournaments played – which would not be a bad return in anyone’s books.

However, there are plenty of people well capable of preventing the “Germanator” – as Kaymer has been labelled by English journalists – from claiming his fourth victory. The form book points towards a maiden win for world number one Rory McIlroy, who has finished in the top five in Abu Dhabi on each of his last four appearances. The 2012 BMW Championship winner just missed out last year, finishing runner-up. Making his debut last year, Tiger Woods produced what was by his standards average golf to finish third.

And it is not just Kaymer, McIlroy and Woods who are capable of winning. The strong field also includes England’s Justin Rose, Paul Casey (back to form and a two-time winner in Abu Dhabi) and defending champion Robert Rock, as well as Major winners Ernie Els of South Africa and Ireland’s Padraig Harrington. As Justin Rose accurately put it: “Obviously there’s a great field assembled here, and that’s who you want to compete against.”

Paul McGinley has accepted an invitation from the Tournament Committee of The European Tour to become Captain of The European Team in The 2014 Ryder Cup at The Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire, Scotland from September 26 - 28, 2014.

Born in Dublin, Ireland, on December 16, 1966, McGinley becomes the first Irishman to captain a Ryder Cup Team against the United States. He will be the 24th different golfer to lead the European (formerly Great Britain and Ireland) Team.

McGinley, a four time winner on The European Tour, made three consecutive, and victorious, Ryder Cup appearances from 2002 – 2006 and will always be remembered as the man who holed the winning putt during his first appearance at the Belfry 11 years ago.

McGinley succeeds José María Olazábal with the aim of retaining the Ryder Cup following the Spaniard’s brilliant stewardship of Europe’s ‘Miracle at Medinah’. The 46 year old was a Vice-Captain to Olazábal in Chicago last year, the same role he fulfilled for Colin Montgomerie’s victorious 2010 Team at The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales.

"I'm obviously very pleased to be in this situation. This is a position that I'm really thrilled to be in, and it's also a very humbling experience. I can't wait to get into the role of being the Captain”, McGinley said. "I'm relishing the thought of taking on one of my great heroes, (US Captain) Tom Watson. He's not only a wonderful person abut a great ambassador for the game of golf."

Making his first start on the PGA TOUR, the American rookie promptly secured his first win and set an impressive record. A dream start to Henley’s career as a PGA TOUR member. Could it be the first victory of many?

"I’m pretty speechless, " admitted a victorious Russell Henley on Sunday afternoon in Honolulu, Hawaii, having just won his first tournament at his first PGA TOUR event as a professional. It is twelve years since anyone achieved this feat.

The 23-year-old from the US state of Georgia’s win was historic in more ways than one: never before had a player won the Sony Open with a score of 24 under par, never before had anyone shot a lower final round than 63 at the Waialae Country Club. And: 256 shots is the third lowest 72-hole score in the history of the Tour. Henley now leads the FedExCup, together with last week’s winner Dustin Johnson – all in all, you could say it was rather a good debut.

The quality of golf could be sensed out on the course, particularly in Henley’s finish, as he birdied the final five holes in a row to secure his place at the US Masters. "I was trying not to think about Augusta out there, " said Henley. "I just kept telling myself: ‘this is a long year, you’re going to play this game a long time. Be patient, it doesn’t have to happen now'".

But it did happen then. Henley finished three shots clear of South Africa’s Tim Clark, who himself birdied seven of the final eleven holes and gave this assessment of the victorious Henley: "If that’s how he putts all the time, whew! It’s over!"

Almost as though he had taken out a subscription, South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen once again won the opening tournament on this year’s European Tour – for the third time in a row.

It took an enormous effort from 30-year-old Oosthuizen at the Durban Country Club on Sunday to defend his title, as the winners from the previous season on the European Tour met for their annual get-together. Going into the final round of the Volvo Golf Champions, leader Scott Jamieson from Scotland held a five-shot lead over his South African rival.

However, 29-year-old Jamieson, who claimed his first title on the European Tour just six weeks ago when he won the Nelson Mandela Championship in Durban to qualify for this tournament, was unable to maintain the dazzling form of the opening three days. Not so Oosthuizen. The 2010 Open champion produced world-class golf hole after hole, shooting a final round of 66 to emerge triumphant from the 33-strong field.

Oosthuizen was almost taken to a play-off, but Jamieson’s chip for eagle narrowly missed the hole to leave him one shot off the South African’s winning score of -16. "It’s a great start to the year," beamed Oosthuizen, who climbs to number four in the world – his career-best ranking. There was a small consolation for Jamieson: he now leads the Race to Dubai. Behind Oosthuizen and Jamieson, Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee finished a further shot back in third place in Durban.

American Dustin Johnson – "DJ" for short – overcame storms and delays to win the first tournament of the new PGA TOUR season.

By the end of the day, nobody really knew just how often the miserable weather had forced the organisers to change the format and schedule of the opening tournament on this season’s PGA TOUR. Heavy storms with winds reaching speeds of 40 mph in Hawaii meant the Hyundai Tournament of Champions at the Plantation Course in Kapalua came within a whisker of being cancelled.

With a field consisting of all the tournament winners from the 2012 season on the US tour, the original plan was for the champion to be crowned after four rounds on Monday. In the end, only three rounds were completed and the tournament concluded on Tuesday.

One player dealt better than the rest with the weather and delayed start times: Dustin Johnson. The 28-year-old from South Carolina eventually finished well clear of his compatriot and defending champion Steve Stricker. A score of -16 and a four-shot lead was enough to secure the first title of the season for the 2010 BMW Championship winner – DJ's seventh on the PGA TOUR.

However, having looked like a cert to win ahead of the final round, the door did open briefly for the chasing pack on Tuesday. Johnson started the last 18 holes in gusty conditions in Kapalua with a three-shot lead. With five holes to play, Stricker had closed to within just one shot, thanks largely to a pulled drive and a resulting double-bogey. How did Johnson react?

On the following hole – a short par 4 – he once again reached for his driver and produced a mighty drive, which he followed with a delicate chip from just 50 feet for an eagle. “It was nowhere near ho-hum,” said a relaxed Johnson after the tournament. It is nerves like that that win tournaments.

25 weeks to the BMW International Open – 25 pairs of tickets up for grabs: between today and the start of the tournament on 18th June 2013, we will be giving away two entry tickets for the iconic event every week as part of our Anniversary Countdown. Join in, and you too could see the stars of the European Tour in action.

Germany’s only tournament on the European Tour is celebrating a big birthday: the BMW International Open (Golfclub München Eichenried) will take place for the 25th time from 18th to 23rd June 2013. Join in the celebrations! Answer a question on the history of the event and win two tickets for the anniversary tournament.

Each week, all the correct answers to the current question will go into a draw for two day tickets (valid on Saturday OR Sunday, with the winner choosing which day) for the 25th BMW International Open. The tickets will then be sent to the winners after May 2013. By the way: entry to the tournament is free of charge for everyone from Tuesday to Friday.

After completing the BMW xDrive Mountain Challenge, BMW Brand Ambassador Martin Kaymer looked back at the 2012 season, and revealed his goals for the new year.

Martin Kaymer und Bruno Spengler both have career-defining moments behind them. Following a successful season, the Ryder Cup winner and the DTM champion put their skills to the test on unusual territory at over 2,000 metres above sea level.

Conducted by the Western Golf Association, the 2012 BMW Championship raised $3.1 million for the Evans Scholars Foundation, the WGA’s 82-year-old sister organization, which has been sending caddies-to-college since 1930.

The penultimate event in the FedExCup Playoffs, the BMW Championship was one of the top attended tournaments on the PGA TOUR in 2012 attracting more than 143,000 spectators to Crooked Stick Golf Club outside Indianapolis. Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, the No. 1 player in the world, won the BMW Championship for the first time and was recently was named PGA TOUR Player of the Year.

"On behalf of the PGA TOUR, I am pleased to acknowledge and congratulate the BMW Championship and the Western Golf Association on an outstanding event and to recognize the tournament team for its outstanding efforts," said Andy Pazder, PGA TOUR executive vice-president and chief of operations.  "The Western Golf Association and title sponsor BMW should be extremely proud of being recognized as the best among their peers on the TOUR."

Pazder said the event’s successful tournament activation, ticket and corporate sales, attention to detail, and player amenities all played a significant role in its earning Tournament-of-the-Year status. The award was presented Thursday at the PGA TOUR Tournament Meetings in La Quinta, Calif.

"On behalf of BMW of North America and the Western Golf Association, I would like to thank the PGA TOUR for honoring the BMW Championship as Tournament of the Year," said Western Golf Association vice president of tournaments Vince Pellegrino.  "The PGA TOUR co-sponsors more than 40 outstanding events each season, and to be singled out from among this esteemed group is truly humbling.

"Much of the credit for this honor should go to BMW, because its unparalleled commitment to excellence sets high standards for the event at every level of execution,” Pellegrino said.  “The support BMW provides is unique among sports marketing partners. The WGA and Evans Scholars Foundation are grateful to have BMW as our sponsor."

BMW leveraged their sponsorship in numerous ways including providing BMW owners many benefits such as complimentary tickets, exclusive parking and shuttle transportation on-site, concierge service, as well as, private hospitality areas featuring some of the best views of the course. In addition, tournament patrons were treated to a 10,000 square foot BMW Experience interactive area, dynamic BMW vehicle displays, and premium concession and merchandise areas, the TOUR noted.

The WGA also succeeded in its multi-tiered integration of the tournament’s charitable mission, the TOUR said.  For example, Evans Scholar alumni – many of whom graduated from college decades ago - served as caddies in the Monday and Wednesday Pro-Am events - and donated their tips to the Evans Scholars Foundation. Additionally, BMW awarded a four-year scholarship to the Evans Scholars Foundation when Steve Stricker recorded a Hole-in-One on the sixth hole during the tournament’s second round.

Current and past Evans Scholars also greeted fans at the tournament entry gates and provided information about the program.

Corporate hospitality sales were highly successful thanks in part to Corporate Supporter Workshops leading up to the tournament.  Prior to the event, tournament sales and support teams scheduled a private venue walk-through with individual corporate hospitality customer representatives.  During the tournament, each venue was staffed with hospitality liaisons to ensure all needs were met.

Players had the opportunity to test drive some of BMW’s newest vehicles throughout the week along with a unique "BMW Driving Experience". BMW also staged a table tennis exhibition for PGA TOUR players to challenge Timothy Wang, member of the US Olympic Table Tennis Team who competed in London.

The BMW Championship also received PGA TOUR Tournament of the Year honors in 2008, when Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis hosted the event.

The 2013 BMW Championship is set for September 9-15 at Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest, Ill.

The European Tour calendar has a new addition in 2013: "The Final Series", which features four outstanding tournaments at the end of the season, including the BMW Masters (24^th to 27^th October 2013, Shanghai). BMW is Partner of the European Tour and will also enrich the tournament schedule with the BMW PGA Championship (23^rd to 26^th May 2013, Wentworth) and the 25^th anniversary of the BMW International Open (20^th to 23^rd June 2013, Munich).

The 2013 European Tour International Schedule features a minimum of 45 tournaments across the world, providing a varied and exciting global platform for the Tour’s wide-ranging international Membership. Starting in Africa in two weeks’ time, the 12 month golfing odyssey will see the schedule travel though Asia, America, Australasia and its home continent of Europe, before ending back in Dubai with the 2013 DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates from November 14-17.

The DP World Tour Championship, Dubai will itself be the culmination of a new and exciting climax to The 2013 Race to Dubai where four tournaments will combine to form ‘The Final Series.’ The four tournaments are the US$7 million BMW Masters, the US$8.5 million WGC-HSBC Champions, the US$7 million Turkish Open and the US$8 million DP World Tour Championship, Dubai – making the total prize fund for ‘The Final Series’ a staggering US$30.5 million.

Any European Tour Member hoping to qualify for the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai – and therefore the chance to play for The Race to Dubai Bonus Pool – will have to participate in two of the three tournaments preceding the season finale.

Furthermore, any Member participating in the first three tournaments in ‘The Final Series’ will receive a 20 per cent bonus on The Race to Dubai points earned from those three events, the bonus being added to the respective players’ points total before the DP World Tour Championship.

George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “The introduction of ‘The Final Series’ and the associated changes to the structure are being made to bring even more drama and excitement to the conclusion of our season, and to further enhance The Race to Dubai. To have our Members finishing The European Tour season at tournaments of genuine quality such as the BMW Masters, the WGC-HSBC Champions, the Turkish Open and the DP World Tour Championship is exciting. We felt there had to be an additional level of commitment from the Membership to these important tournaments, hence the new regulation. The response from our leading players to this change has been extremely encouraging, and we take confidence from their support as we look to continue the positive evolution of The European Tour in an extremely challenging economic climate.”

As in previous seasons, The 2013 European Tour International Schedule is an eclectic mix of globally diverse locations, beginning in South Africa at the Nelson Mandela Championship presented by ISPS Handa from December 6-9, 2012. A total of six events will be staged in South Africa on the 2013 Schedule, including the Volvo Golf Champions from January 10-13, 2013, where many of the Tour’s 2012 champions will gather at Durban Country Club.

From there, the Tour moves into its formidable desert swing of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, the Commercialbank Qatar Masters and the Omega Dubai Desert Classic before heading to the United States for the first two of the four World Golf Championship events scheduled for 2013.

Other highlights include The European Tour’s flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club from May 23-26, as well as the four Major Championships with The Open at Muirfield preceded by four of the Tour’s most significant tournaments as the BMW International Open returns to Munich and the Golfclub München Eichenried on its 25th Anniversary; the Irish Open moves to Carton House in County Kildare; the magnificent Golf National in Paris once again hosts the Alstom Open de France and the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open returns to the links terrain of Castle Stuart the week before The Open.

There may be no Ryder Cup in 2013, but the biennial match against the United States, won so dramatically by José María Olazábal’s European Team at Medinah Country Club in Chicago in September, is never far from consideration. With that in mind, the qualification process to make the 2014 team at The Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland will have a different beginning this year as the points race kicks off with the ISPS Handa Wales Open at The Celtic Manor Resort, the scene of Europe’s dramatic 2010 Ryder Cup victory, which has moved to its new date of August 29 – September 1.

Keith Waters, Chief Operating Officer and Director of International Policy for The European Tour, said: “We are delighted to announce another comprehensive International Schedule that once again shows the strength in depth of The European Tour. With 45 tournaments already confirmed, we are hopeful of making additional tournament announcements in the near future which will further strengthen the playing schedule we are able to offer the broad spectrum of our Membership. We would once again like the thank our partners, promoters and colleagues in golf’s governing bodies around the world for their support of The European Tour, and we look forward to welcoming them all to the 2013 season.”

The BMW PGA Championship is set to deliver an enhanced spectator experience in 2013 as Europe’s Ryder Cup Team, triumphant from the ‘Miracle at Medinah’, regroup for the first time competitively on British soil at Wentworth Club in England.

The BMW PGA Championship 2013 will provide a superb package of fun, celebrity-spotting and world class golf over a six-day period, starting with the Official Practice Day on Tuesday, May 21 through to the climax to The European Tour’s flagship event on Sunday, May 26.

The increase in attendances in recent years has prompted The European Tour to throw open the doors to the public on Tuesday, May 21, designated for the first time as an Official Practice Day. Advance tickets as part of the pre-Christmas offer are £5, which is half the price payable on the gate.

Wednesday will now be known as Celebrity Pro-Am Day (£10 pre-Christmas; £15 on the gate), where the public will be able to mingle with the good and the great of the worlds of entertainment, sport and music along with the leading golf professionals. Details of participants in this enjoyable precursor to the main event will be published nearer the day on www.europeantour.com

For the Championship (May 23-26), an Adult Season ticket can be purchased now for £60 (concession £40) – in both cases £20 less than the gate admission price during the week. Any One Day Adult tickets can be purchased before Christmas for £30 (concession £15) with prices rising to £40 and £25 respectively on the gate.

Adult Weekend tickets (Saturday and Sunday) are available now for £45 (concession £28), rising to £60 (concession £45) during the week. Reserved 18th green grandstand seats can be booked now for £15 (Saturday) and £20 (Sunday). No discounts apply for advance bookings or concessions.

Families planning to attend the Championship should note that all children aged 16 and under will be admitted free of charge if accompanied by an adult ticket holder.

Advance tickets for 2013 are on sale now and represent outstanding value, especially if purchased as part of the Championship’s pre-Christmas offers on:

Stars galore, thrilled fans and a beaming winner, Peter Hanson: The maiden BMW Masters turned out to be a true golf highlight. Relive the tournament in Shanghai with this video.

The sixth victory on the European Tour is his biggest so far: just weeks after the sensational Ryder Cup victory with Team Europe, Peter Hanson kept his Medinah team-mates in check to win the inaugural BMW Masters. Read here what the 37-year-old Swede thought of the prestigious tournament at Lake Malaren Golf Club.

Peter, many congratulations on a fine win. Please give us your thoughts on the victory and on the day as a whole.

Peter Hanson: “Let’s take it from the start. Rory played really well today, but he gave me a little bit of an advantage by missing five pretty makeable putts in the first five holes. To be honest, I felt pretty comfortable playing 14 and maybe 15 as well, but when he made his eagle putt around 15, which was just truly brilliant, I managed to make 4 and kind of put the pressure on. Then, when he made birdie again on the next hole, 16, I could really feel the pressure being applied, and you could see it in his eye, he was hungry to try to get this one. So it was just nice for me to get the up and down on both 16 and 17. Then when he missed his putt on the last, it felt pretty nice to dribble it down there.”

Please describe how you were feeling on the 18^th.

Hanson: “It felt pretty good on the tee. Me and my caddie were going through the numbers and we decided to go with the shorter club to just carry on to the green and roll it down to the hole. It came up just a fraction short. I probably needed to pitch that second shot a good four or five yards further up the green, and it kind of stopped in its pitchmark. We had two referees to see if the ball broke the surface because then I would get a free drop. They both decided it didn’t. I tried to hack it down there and it all came down to, I was trying to get myself ready to make that putt if I needed to. Rory was playing so well towards the end. I kind of had a feeling that he had a good chance of making that putt, and then it was all about me being ready to try to make mine for par to get the win.”

This is your sixth European Tour victory and your second in two months. What does it mean to you?

Hanson: “This is by far the biggest win in my career, so I think all of the work I have put in to try to be ready for The Ryder Cup has paid off, both in Holland and now a couple of weeks later. When you put in all that massive amount of work, it's going to run into some of the tournaments around it, so I think that's what we are seeing now.”

Your confidence level must be very high, and then going forward to next year, obviously the goal is to win a Major?

“Yes, of course. Like I said, I'm feeling more and more comfortable in this kind of situation. Playing against Rory, the world number one, is a very special treat. You need somehow to perform under these high-pressure situations. I was leading Augusta and that was my first real time in the spotlight with a good chance of performing well in one of these big events. I think that helped me a lot coming into these other events. And now here I am with by far the biggest win in my career.”

Can you just describe what it feels like to have Rory breathing down your neck over those last few holes?

Hanson: “It’s not something you want really. When I saw his eyes after he made eagle on the 15th hole, it was kind of a weird one because I was feeling pretty comfortable. I was working myself around the golf course pretty well, not taking too many chances, and you know, putting the ball where it's supposed to be. Then he made that eagle and a birdie on 16 and all of the sudden the pressure was on. It was nice that we managed to finish on that last hole so we didn't have to go another two holes.”

What's your comment on the tournament as a whole in general?

Hanson: “BMW is probably the strongest partner we have on The European Tour and they always do a fantastic job. Me being a Swede, it feels special to have a Lake Malaren Golf Course, so it has a bit of a Swedish feel to it. Of course it has been a great week for me, and the way we get looked after, from when we land at the airport with the cars picking us up, the great hotel and the great golf course, is just five-star.”

Sweden’s Peter Hanson won the inaugural BMW Masters at Shanghai’s Lake Malaren Golf Club, picking up the winner’s cheque for 1,166,600 US dollars for his efforts. The 37-year-old survived a late challenge from world number one Rory McIlroy (NIR) on Sunday afternoon to finish ahead of an exceptionally strong field with a score of -21. As such, Hanson becomes the first man to have his name engraved on the prestigious BMW Masters trophy. Northern Ireland’s McIlroy finished runner-up on –20, ahead of world number three Luke Donald (ENG, -17) in third place. The quartet of Ryder Cup stars at the top of the leaderboard was completed by Ian Poulter (ENG, -16), whose round of 65 was the lowest of the day.

Four of the five best players in the world and 28 of the top 30 pros in the European Tour’s “Race to Dubai” teed off at the 2012 BMW Masters in China. The strongest field assembled in Asia this year also featured eleven of the twelve members of the European team that successfully defended the Ryder Cup in Medinah (USA). The sixth and biggest win of Hanson’s career sees him climb into the top twenty in the world rankings for the first time. The man from Svedala, near Malmo, also rises to second in the “Race to Dubai” behind McIlroy, but ahead of England’s Justin Rose, who finished tied in sixth place on -14. Best-placed Chinese player was Liang Wenchong, who thrilled the local crowds with a four-under final round of 68 to climb to 20^th on -10. His compatriot Wu A-Shun followed just one shot back in 25^th (-9).

“Congratulations to Peter Hanson on his victory at the BMW Masters,” said Dr. Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Sales and Marketing BMW, who watched the final day’s action live on site. “Peter is a worthy champion. He fully deserves this success, having produced a fantastic performance against a truly world-class field. This tournament has undoubtedly been a huge success and underlines BMW’s position as a leading partner of golf throughout the world. We have seen just how well the sport is received in China. I am confident that golf has a big future in this emerging market – and we look forward to contributing to its growth. I would also like to thank our Presenting Partner, Lake Malaren Golf Club Shanghai, the China Golf Association, and the authorities here in Shanghai. They, and the many helping hands in the background, have made the inaugural BMW Masters such a great success.”

Hanson started the final round one shot ahead of his closest rival, courtesy of a consistently high level of golf over the opening three days. And the popular Swede was not about to let his standard drop on the final day. His nerveless putt to save par on the seventeenth was probably the defining moment of his tournament and instrumental in his victory.

McIlroy piled the pressure on Hanson with an eagle on the par-5 fifteenth and pushed the big Swede all the way. However, the two-time Major winner was ultimately left to regret the two bogeys early on in his round. “I wanted to try to make him work for it. It would have been nice to hole that putt on the last, at least to make him think a little bit. But it wasn't to be and he played well,” said the 23-year-old. “He deserved it. To go out with the lead and play the way he did and shoot 67 is very impressive. He was going to be very tough to beat today. Of course I’m a little disappointed, but I'm very happy with the way I played.”

BMW Brand Ambassador Martin Kaymer, six shots behind the leader going into the last day of the tournament, started his final round in determined fashion: back-to-back birdies on the opening three holes brought the 2010 U.S. PGA Champion right back into contention before Hanson had even taken to the course. However, a bogey on the fourth took the wind out of the German’s sails and he had to settle for a respectable eleventh place on -13. “I actually played very well this week, but missed far too many chances. I needed to make more putts and hit better shots with my wedge,” said Kaymer. “I could definitely have done better than tied eleventh here. It was impressive to see how big the BMW Masters is. A sensational tournament with big prize money, a lot of world ranking points up for grabs, and a great field. It was great fun playing here.”

An interview with Eckhard Wannieck, Head of Sponsoring, Cooperations and Product Placement at BMW.

Mr. Wannieck, the BMW Masters sees BMW further extending its global commitment to golf. Alongside the BMW Championship on the US PGA Tour and the European Tour events (BMW PGA Championship, BMW International Open, BMW Italian Open), this is now another highlight. What persuaded you to take this step?

Eckhard Wannieck: “As the name indicates, the BMW Masters will play an important role in our global golf strategy and is the perfect addition to our worldwide commitment. China is a key market for BMW and golf, as well as an ideal stage on which to showcase our approach to dynamics and precision. We are delighted to be able to present our customers and spectators with the strongest field assembled at any professional golf tournament in Asia and golf of the highest standard – both from a sporting and spectator experience point of view. This once again also underlines BMW’s leadership claim and especially in the realm of golf.”

You are returning to Shanghai after the BMW Asian Open, which was held for the last time in 2008. What prompted BMW to fly its flag in China again?

Wannieck: “The BMW brand in China is developing at a similarly dynamic rate to Chinese business. Our customers here are demanding, as well as being enthusiastic about innovation and sport. Golf is a fantastic platform to offer a unique brand experience. At the start of the new millennium, BMW was one of the first brands in the world to acknowledge and promote the growing popularity of golf in Asia by organising a professional tournament in Shanghai, the BMW Asian Open, from 2001 onwards. After 2008, BMW temporarily continued its commitment to golf in Asia on other levels, including many ‘Official Car’ sponsorships. As a global golf player, however, it was our intention to be represented with a top event on every continent. Therefore, we observed the Asian golf market closely, in order to find the ideal opportunity to set a new course. With the BMW Masters in Shanghai, we have achieved an exclusive framework, which will allow BMW fans in Asia to experience the BMW brand on an emotional level.”

What is so special about the BMW Masters?

Wannieck: “In terms of figures: with the exception of the Majors, the World Golf Championships tournaments and the season finale in Dubai, no tournament on the European Tour has a larger prize purse than the BMW Masters. This underlines the importance of the tournament. Coming so late in the season, seven million US dollars is sufficient for someone to secure victory in the ‘Race to Dubai’ with tournaments still to play. That gives the BMW Masters enormous sporting value. This is also underlined by the impressive line-up of players: we are proud to be able to present golf fans in Asia with the best field in the whole of Asia at the inaugural BMW Masters. Four of the top five golfers in the world will tee off at the debut of the BMW Masters, as well as all but one of the European Ryder Cup team.”

The tournament will be held at Lake Malaren Golf Club – why did you opt for this club, which is also Presenting Partner of the BMW Masters?

Wannieck: “After assessing various options, the decision in favour of Lake Malaren Golf Club was clear cut: the crucial factors in this decision were the championship course, which was designed by golf legend Jack Nicklaus, the excellently managed club, and a very well established facility. Lake Malaren shares exactly the same desire as BMW: to organise the best golf tournament in China. In addition, we received broad support from the local authorities: The Shanghai Sport Bureau and the Shanghai Baoshan District give us excellent support in the realisation of this project.”

The field is relatively small compared to other European Tour events. What is the reasoning behind this?

Wannieck: “That is correct. Only 78 players – the majority of whom are in the top one hundred in the world rankings – will tee off. This also emphasises just how high the standard will be at the BMW Masters. This is obviously good news for golf fans in China, as is the fact that there will not be a cut, meaning all the players will be able to produce world-class golf on all four days.”

Can golf fans in China look forward to seeing any home-grown players?

Wannieck: “The further development of golf in China is very close to BMW’s heart. At the BMW Masters we are cooperating with the Chinese Golf Association (CGA), who will send a contingent of 14 players. Teeing off as part of such an exclusive and strong field as the one at the BMW Masters will be an invaluable experience for the Chinese players – one that is almost on a similar level to a Major tournament.”

There is always talk of the special atmosphere at BMW tournaments. Will this tradition be upheld at the BMW Masters?

Wannieck: “With all our sponsorship commitments, the goal of BMW is to be creative and support the respective sport we are engaged in, providing a special experience for our target groups. In the case of our golf tournaments, this applies in particular to the players, spectators, media, partners and officials. This includes BMW’s premium philosophy, which runs throughout the commitments, as well as a pleasant atmosphere. We have been particularly successful on this front in the world of golf and are proud that so many of the professional golfers appreciate this and give mention to it time and again. We enjoy a long and amicable relationship with many of the top players. This has certainly also played a major role in our golfing tradition, which now stretches back 25 years. Both our partners and the players appreciate the fact we have made a significant contribution to the further development of the sport through our sustainable and global golf strategy.”

Looking to the future: for how long can we expect to see the BMW Masters on the golfing calendar?

Wannieck: “As with all our sporting commitments, the BMW Masters is a long-term project. In our first year, we already have everything you could ask for: a world-class field, an outstanding golf course, strong partners, excellent sponsors – and we can sense great enthusiasm in Shanghai. We want to build on this fantastic basis.”

What are your own personal expectations of the inaugural tournament?

Wannieck: “The first time you stage anything you are obviously always full of anticipation as to whether all the plans and targets can be implemented successfully and whether they will be well received by the visitors. The BMW Masters is of great strategic importance to the company in one of our largest markets. With this in mind, there are great expectations of the inaugural tournament. However, we have many years of experience and expertise when it comes to organising exclusive golf events, so I am confident we will meet these expectations.”

Over the years, BMW has developed a unique reputation as one of golf’s most competent and experienced organisers of professional tournaments. The BMW International Open, which paved the way for BMW’s other top-class events, will celebrate its 25th anniversary next season.

Both the BMW PGA Championship – the European Tour’s flagship tournament – and the BMW Championship on the PGA TOUR have been raising the bar for years in terms of a unique visitor experience and tournament organisation. The BMW Golfsport team is once again setting standards at the BMW Masters in Shanghai (25th to 28th October in Lake Malaren Golf Club), which features another world-class field.

When the project was conceived over a year ago, the approach was clear: return to Asia with a high-class field and a premium event. However, Tournament Director Marco Kaussler is especially proud of the fact that the very best players in the world and all but one of the victorious European Ryder Cup team have lent their support to the BMW Masters. “BMW has managed to put together one of the strongest fields of the season,” he said. “The BMW Masters is going to be a world-class tournament. Everything is in place. The Jack Nicklaus-designed course is in excellent condition. With its deep rough it has the characteristics of a links course and is a worthy challenge for the world’s top pros.”

By the time the headline acts take centre stage and compete for a share of the 7 million US dollars, the BMW Golfsport team will already have mastered its biggest challenges. Perhaps the most impressive of these will be visible from afar on the 18th green: the first three-storey temporary building at any BMW tournament, standing over 18 metres high, covers an area of 600 m². Each floor is over four metres high.

All the material and equipment comes from China. The BMW Golfsport team works exclusively with international, Shanghai-based companies. The experience and contacts gained from the BMW Asian Open, which was held for the last time in 2008 in Shanghai, give them an invaluable advantage.

Shanghai is a sport-mad city and venue for, among other things, the Formula One Grand Prix and the Shanghai Rolex Masters, a high-class men’s tennis tournament. This list now includes another world-class event in the form of the BMW Masters. The fact that golf is set to become an Olympic sport in 2016 has given it a real boost in China. The BMW Masters, with which BMW is taking its promotion of golf in Asia to a new level, is benefitting from the resulting increase in awareness. 600 volunteers will help get the tournament on its feet – and will also gain valuable golfing experience in doing so.

“With all our sponsorship commitments, the goal of BMW is to be creative and support the respective sport we are engaged in, providing a special experience for our target groups,” said Eckhard Wannieck, Head of BMW International Sponsorship, Cooperation and Product Placement. “In the case of our golf tournaments, this applies in particular to the players, spectators, media, partners and officials. This includes BMW’s premium philosophy, which runs throughout the commitments, as well as a pleasant atmosphere. We are able to achieve this particularly well in a golfing environment and are proud that so many pros appreciate it and express their gratitude so often.”

Unlike at the BMW PGA Championship and the BMW International Open, the BMW Masters is taking place at a golf course located in the centre of a major city. A city with a population of 23 million is also a massive challenge when it comes to traffic. About 100 BMW shuttles are used to collect the players from the airport, and to take them to the golf course, the hotel, and the evening events. Compared to the other BMW tournaments, the location in a bustling metropolis also presents an unusual situation: Lake Malaren Golf Club is connected to the underground network. For this reason, the public transport system also plays a major role in the infrastructure concept of the BMW Masters.

The elite of world golf will compete at the inaugural BMW Masters. Four of the top five players in the current world rankings will be joined by all but one of the victorious European Ryder Cup team. Today an exciting tournament week was kicked-off with a special guest: table tennis star Timo Boll.

It was a tournament full of superlatives: the top of the leaderboard at the 2012 BMW Championship was dominated by Major winners and former number ones before the current number one in the world, Rory McIlroy, turned on the style to come away with the coveted trophy. Huge, thrilled crowds flocked to the Crooked Stick Golf Club, where they were treated to a fantastic display of world-class golf and a first-rate BMW tournament both on and off the greens and fairways.

Team Europe completed one of the biggest fightbacks in the history of the Ryder Cup to defend its title with a 14.5:13.5 victory – a result that surely nobody could have reckoned with on Sunday morning. The Europeans started the day 6:10 behind at the most important team competition in golf with just the singles matches to play – traditionally the Americans’ strength. However, the European team produced an unbelievable team performance on the final day. It was ultimately left to BMW Brand Ambassador Martin Kaymer to hold his nerve and sink the deciding putt.

6:10, four points behind going into the final twelve singles matches at the Ryder Cup – only once in the history of the inter-continental competition had a team turned a deficit of this size into a win: in 1999 at Brookline. Back then, hosts USA picked up 8.5 of the 12 points on offer in the Sunday’s man-against-man matches to win back the Ryder Cup.

13 years later, on the Sunday of the 39^th Ryder Cup, eight points would have been enough for European captain José María Olazábal and his players to take the trophy back to Europe for another two years, as a 14:14 tie is sufficient for the defending champions to retain the Ryder Cup.

What initially looked about as likely as a lottery win gradually became more probable throughout the course of the Sunday at the Medinah Country Club in Chicago. By the time Luke Donald, the outstanding Ian Poulter, Justin Rose, Rory McIlroy and Paul Lawrie had won the opening five singles for Europe, the defending champions led 11:10 and had one hand back on the cup. However, they still needed another three points – and the Americans were digging in. Zach and Dustin Johnson won their singles against Graeme McDowell and rookie Nicolas Colsaerts – USA 12, Europe 11.

The crucial turning point came in match number eight, when Spain’s Sergio Garcia won the last two holes against the nervous Jim Furyk to win 1 up. As Lee Westwood had defeated Matt Kuchar on the 16^th hole shortly beforehand, Europe now had 13 points and required just one more to guarantee at least a draw. Up stepped BMW Brand Ambassador Martin Kaymer.

The German came up against Steve Stricker, who like Kaymer was yet to score a point for his team at this Ryder Cup, in the penultimate match of the day. Kaymer initially took the lead on the ninth hole, but the American immediately drew level – a feat he repeated on another two occasions. Kaymer moved one up with a par-putt on the 17^th (par 3) and the two rivals found themselves on the 18^th green with Stricker needing to sink a long putt to win the hole and keep the USA in the game.

However, the American was off target and eventually sank his return putt for par. Then it was down to Martin Kaymer to make history on this September afternoon in 2012. The German held his nerve to make par and trigger celebrations that simply knew no bounds. “That was without doubt the most important putt of my life,” said Kaymer.

When Tiger Woods uncharacteristically missed a four-footer to halve the 18^th, win his match against Francesco Molinari and at least tie the Ryder Cup, it was left to the Italian to pick up the final half point that gave Europe the outright victory: 14.5:13.5.

With just the final 12 singles matches to go, hosts USA were able to increase their lead on day two of the 39th Ryder Cup. Captain Davis Love III only needs a handful of points on Sunday to win back the coveted trophy.

Just 4.5 points from the 12 singles matches on Sunday at the Medinah Country Club will be enough to see hosts USA regain the Ryder Cup they lost to the Europeans two years ago. After the first two days’ doubles, skipper Davis Love III’s team leads 10:6.

Three victories in Saturday morning’s foursomes allowed the American team to pull further ahead of a European team showing increasing signs of helplessness, particularly in match number two. The two former world number ones, Luke Donald and Lee Westwood (both England) lost emphatically 7 & 6 to another inspired performance from Keegan Bradley and an equally impressive Phil Mickelson. The European team’s only win in the opening session of the day came courtesy of the English pairing of Ian Poulter and Justin Rose, who narrowly defeated Major winners Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson 1 up.

Poulter is the most successful European going into the singles. Having won his foursomes match alongside Rose on Friday, the flamboyant Englishman went on to partner world number one Rory McIlroy to victory against Americans Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson. However, “Poults” is not the only man with three wins to his name at the 39^th Ryder Cup: Keegan Bradley and Phil Mickelson have also triumphed together in all three of their outings so far.

The fact that the defending champions from Europe have even an outside chance of retaining the Ryder Cup on Sunday is down to Poulter and McIlroy’s dramatic comeback in match four on Saturday afternoon, as well as a fighting performance from another Ryder Cup veteran. Spain’s Sergio Garcia, who rather untypically had suffered two straight defeats in Medinah before the afternoon’s fourballs, upped his game alongside Luke Donald to win 1 up against Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker, who are yet to trouble the scorers at this year’s Ryder Cup.

The singles matches begin at 11:03 (local time) on Sunday. European captain José María Olazábal will need a good start from his team if they are to have any chance of defending the title they won so dramatically in Wales in 2010.

After the first eight doubles matches of the Ryder Cup in Medinah, hosts USA lead 5:3. Captain Davis Love III’s team dominated the opening day, particularly Friday afternoon’s fourballs. Defending champions Europe had a rookie to thank for limiting the damage.

The man who sank the winning putt for the Europeans at the 2010 Ryder Cup also had the honour of hitting the first drive at this year’s competition: Graeme McDowell. The Northern Irishman went way left with his tee shot. To a certain degree, this set the trend for the rest of the day for José Maria Olazábal’s men.

The Europeans did come out of the blocks faster over the opening holes of the foursomes, and at one point led all four matches. However, only two matches went the way of Team Europe, with McDowell and his compatriot Rory McIlroy going on to beat Jim Furyk/Brandt Snedeker in a very tense affair that went down to the final hole, while the English pairing of Ian Poulter/Justin Rose defeated Steve Stricker/Tiger Woods to pick up a valuable point. A major disappointment for the Europeans was the pairing of Luke Donald (ENG) and Sergio Garcia (ESP) – previously unbeaten in foursomes – who went down 4 and 3 to Phil Mickelson/Keegan Bradley. Lee Westwood (ENG) and Francesco Molinari (ITA) were also outplayed on the back nine, losing 3 and 2 to Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson.

Team USA went up another gear in the afternoon and promptly took control of three of the four fourball matches right from the opening hole. The brilliant 2012 Major winners Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson took Paul Lawrie and Peter Hanson apart and could easily have won by an even larger margin than 5 and 4. The mightily impressive duo of Mickelson/Bradley (2 and 1 against McIlroy/McDowell) also had a four-hole lead at one point in their contest. Rose and BMW Brand Ambassador Martin Kaymer won just two holes against Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar, eventually losing 3 and 2.

Only Lee Westwood (ENG) and Nicolas Colsaerts (BEL) put any European blue on the leaderboard. They defeated Woods/Stricker 1 up. Even then, Woods narrowly missed the final putt of the day to square the match by a matter of millimetres. The fact that Europe did not leave a session empty-handed for the first time since 1981 was not really down to the experienced Westwood, but rather a rookie in the form of the “Belgian Bomber”. Colsaerts produced an impressive debut and was responsible for every one of the holes won by the European pair.

Huge galleries poured through the gates at Crooked Stick Golf Club to watch a golfing master class from the world‘s top players. In the end it was world number one Rory McIlroy who stamped his authority on the 2012 BMW Championship. McIlroy’s sixth PGA TOUR victory puts him in pole position ahead of the season-ending TOUR Championship. Here is what the 2012 BMW Championship winner had to say after his win.

Congratulations, Rory, on another big win. A 67, and you really didn't make any putts today.
Rory McIlroy: “No, I didn't need to.  The ball striking was good.  It was a big turnaround from yesterday, which was very nice.  I am obviously very pleased to get my second win in a row and am where I wanted to be going into Atlanta, in that top spot.”

When you came over here and decided to play more regularly here in the United States, did you think you would have six victories, including two Major championships and two playoff events before your 24th birthday?
McIlroy: “I never really thought about it.  I just wanted to go out and play as well as I could.  I knew that if I played to the best of my ability, then I would win events.  I didn't think that everything would happen so quickly, but I'm just on a great run at the minute and trying to keep that going for as long as possible.”

How big do these Playoffs feel to you?
McIlroy “They're really big.  You've got the best players in the world every week.  Last week it was myself, Louis, Tiger, Vijay.  This week, myself, Phil, Lee, Tiger, Vijay.  I mean, the fields are really deep, and it's good to be able to win events like this where the quality of the field is so good.”

As someone who comes from another country, how important is it to play well in the United States and win regularly in the United States?
McIlroy: “I think it's very important.  I think you're probably accepted by people a little bit more.  I feel like I've got tremendous support on the PGA TOUR.  Everywhere I go, the fans couldn't be more supportive and welcoming.  I feel like this is where I belong.  I've always wanted to play on the PGA TOUR, and it's working out pretty well so far.”

What do you do with the next week off?
McIlroy: “I'm going to go to New York and chill out.  I'm actually going to go train a little bit with the Knicks, so that'll be good fun.”

The stage was set for a dramatic final act at the 2012 BMW Championship....and the audience was not to be disappointed. The top players in the world went head to head in a thrilling finale against the stunning backdrop of Crooked Stick Golf Club. Check out our stunning gallery from day four of the BMW Championship.

Rory McIlroy showed just why he is the number one golfer in the world with a flawless final round of 67 to finish a comfortable 2 shots ahead of a loaded field on -20 and win the 2012 BMW Championship.

Huge crowds flocked to Crooked Stick Golf Club to watch what promised to be a battle royale between the biggest names in world golf. And they were not to be disappointed. Early on in the round, current and former world number ones swapped and shared the lead regularly, until eventually one talented 23-year-old Northern Irishman grabbed the bull by the horns and pulled away to clinch his second victory within a week and become only the fourth player in history to win back-to-back playoff tournaments.

Whilst others around him, including his flight partner and eventual runner-up Lee Westwood, struggled to find any consistency in the pressure pot atmosphere, McIlroy was relentless and shot 6 birdies to pick up his sixth PGA TOUR victory and retain his position at the top of the world and FedExCup rankings. The two-time Major winner will now undoubtedly be the man to beat when he makes his debut at the TOUR Championships in Atlanta next week.

Phil Mickelson (USA, -18) flew the flag for the home crowd, shooting five birdies in a round of -2, but was simply unable to match the winner’s consistency. While he and fellow runner-up Lee Westwood (-18) both dropped shots just as they looked to be matching McIlroy all the way, the Northern Irishman hit the front with four holes remaining and simply refused to leave the door even slightly open for the chasing pack, his only bogey coming on the 18th when victory was all but certain. England’s Westwood will leave Indianapolis disappointed he was unable to make birdies late on in his round, but pleased to be hitting form in time for the Ryder Cup later this month.

For overnight leader Vijay Singh, this was one round too many. The 49-year-old Fijian struggled to replicate the dazzling form he had shown over the first three days, eventually slipping back into eighth place on -15. Tiger Woods hit three birdies on the last seven holes to climb to fourth place – three shots behind McIlroy – and confirm a return to form that bodes well for the US Ryder Cup team. 2010 BMW Championship winner Dustin Johnson (USA, -16) looked to be playing himself into contention with a birdie on the eighth followed by an eagle on the ninth hole. However, Johnson was another to fade over the back nine, and a bogey on the final hole left him in a tie for sixth place with Australian Adam Scott (-16).

Defending FedExCup champion Bill Haas (-3) endured a disappointing final day in Indianapolis, carding a 6 over par round of 78 that saw him drop 27 places into a tie for 45th. His misery will have been confounded by the news that he also slipped to 32nd in the FedExCup rankings, meaning he will not tee off at the TOUR Championship. Remarkably, the defending champion has never qualified for the season finale the following year. When the final thirty players tee off in Atlanta, the top five will do so knowing that a win would mean overall victory in the FedExCup. Those five players are: Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Nick Watney, Phil Mickelson and Brandt Snedeker.

They say the best things come to those who wait: that could hardly have been more true on day three of the BMW Championship at the Crooked Stick Golf Club, where the start of play was delayed by a total of four hours. When the stars of the PGA TOUR did eventually take to the course, however, they served up another tasty morsel to the crowds in Indianapolis. We put together the best images from round three in our photo gallery.

Want to see what it looks like when the current world number one (Rory McIlroy) goes head to head against the past master (Tiger Woods)? Or how a three-time Major winner (Vijay Singh) turned back time to top the leaderboard? Ever wondered what excites the crowd at one of the biggest golf tournaments outside of the four Majors? Then check out our gallery from day two of the BMW Championship.

After days of heavy rain prior to the 2012 BMW Championship, the sun finally shone on the stars of the PGA TOUR at Crooked Stick Golf Club. Check out the best photos from day one of the 2012 BMW Championship here.

"There is nothing else like it!" That is the high regard, in which Paul Casey holds the BMW International Open. Anyone who has watched our highlight video from the 2012 tournament will understand why.

The 2012 BMW International Open went to extra-time: with the tournament making its debut in Cologne, England's Danny Willett and Australian Marcus Fraser went head to head in a captivating four-hole play-off. Willett eventually emerged as the winner. Watch the highlights of the final day at Gut Lärchenhof in our video.

Danny Willett could not stop smiling after picking up his first victory on the European Tour at the 2012 BMW International Open. Here is what the 24-year-old Englishman had to say after a dramatic final day at Gut Lärchenhof.

It must be a special day for you today. It must feel great to get your first win on the European Tour under your belt?

Danny Willett: “It does. I’ve been on Tour for four years now. I’ve had a lot of good finishes and been in contention a couple of times. To finally polish it off feels good.”

A lot of the guys you played with in the 2007 Walker Cup have already won on Tour. It must be nice to join the ranks of those with a victory to their name.

Willett: “I was thinking that yesterday and today.  I think, of the two teams, there are only a handful of players that haven’t won now. The strength of the two teams was incredible. You had Rory McIlroy, Webb Simpson, Dustin Johnson, David Horsey and Rickie Fowler. Getting that first win is a bit of a weight off my shoulders and just feels good.”

Your play-off was a bit of a roller-coaster ride. You hit some poor shots and some brilliant shots but you always gave the impression you were really enjoying it. Do you like being in that kind of tense situation?

Willett: “Regardless of the situation, being in the final group on the last day was a success in itself for me, and it is always good to be in contention. Ryan and I were just trying to have a good time on the last few holes. It was tough out there. It was wet and windy, so we just tried to keep having a laugh and hitting good golf shots – and that’s what we did.”

How good was that chip shot on the back of the 18th green in terms of the pressure you were facing?

Willett: “It was good. To be honest, when you get a very simple shot, there are so many ways to play it that your mind is probably racing a little bit more.  Whereas that one, there was only one play to play it:  lob it up just a little bit on the front edge of the green and just release down. Came off nice.”

The 14,500 fans who braved the wind and rain to watch the final round of the 2012 BMW International Open certainly got their money’s worth. As if the drama that played out over the 18 regulation holes were not enough, Danny Willett (ENG, -11) and Marcus Fraser (AUS, -11) then produced an encore worthy of any stage, with the Englishman eventually emerging triumphant on the fourth hole of a nail-biting play-off.

Fraser was first into the clubhouse after a round of 71 (-1 for the day) and for a brief moment it looked unlikely that 24-year-old Willett would even force the play-off. Needing a birdie to tie with the Australian, the man from Sheffield fired his tee shot way right of the fairway, into the rough under a tree. What came next was the first of three spectacular rescue shots from Willett, who, with little backswing, fired his ball over 200 yards into the wind and onto the green. He went on to make his par and was soon heading back down the eighteenth to play the first extra hole.

31-year-old Fraser was first to tee off and safely found the fairway. Willett, however, put his ball in almost exactly the same position as his previous tee shot on the eighteenth. Despite another heroic effort, his second shot pulled up just short of the green.  However, a wonderful chip from Willett and a poor putt that stopped 3m from the hole by Fraser ensured the hole was halved.

Willett’s third attempt at teeing off on the eighteenth ended up in the rough to the left. With Fraser also failing to find the fairway, both players ultimately carded a bogey. And so they returned to the tee for the third extra hole. Following an accurate, if slightly short, drive from Fraser, Willett finally found the centre of the fairway – and 35 metres closer to the hole than his Australian rival. He then found the green with his second, while Fraser headed right of the green for the third time. Despite this, there was still nothing to choose between the two after two pars.

The decisive moments finally came on the fourth hole of the play-off: Fraser landed his approach shot about 10 metres from the hole before Willett decided to take on the pin from the centre of the fairway. Willett could not believe it when his ball flew over the green and came to a rest just in front of the BMW Fairway Club. Advantage Fraser – but only briefly. The Englishman produced another stroke of genius with a wonderful flop shot to within 50cm of the hole. Fraser responded in style, rolling his putt for the championship into the hole and then watching in disbelief as it lipped out. With the disappointment still in his mind, he then missed the return putt from one metre to hand the title to a delighted Willett, who was later presented with the coveted trophy and a winner’s cheque for 333,330 Euros.

Local favourite Marcel Siem (GER, -9) cut a tragic figure as he trudged from the 18^th green. The German had played his way into a share of the lead by the sixth hole, before twice finding the water on his way to a triple-bogey on the seventh. He was back in the wet stuff on the eight and then carded a second bogey in succession on the ninth to all but end his bid to become the second German winner after Martin Kaymer in 2008. Siem finished in sixth place, one shot behind a group of three players tied in third on -10: Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (ESP), Paul McGinley (IRL), Chris Wood (ENG).

Willett will be back in Germany to defend his title in 2013, when the BMW International Open returns to Golfclub München-Eichenried in Munich for the 25^th anniversary of the tournament.

As the top flights have just started their final round, here are some beautiful shots from yesterday's round at the 2012 BMW International Open in Cologne.

The BMW International Open has reached its halfway point at Golf Club Gut Lärchenhof. The visitors have been treated to fantastic golf on a spectacular course. Anyone unfortunate enough not to have made it to Cologne so far can also enjoy the best scenes with our photo gallery.

To end day two of the 2012 BMW International Open, here is a real treat, courtesy of Andrew Marshall. The Englishman hit the shot of the tournament so far: a hole-in-one on the 17th to win a beautiful new BMW 640i Gran Coupé. Our video means you can watch this stroke of genius as often as you like.

The action is heating up on the beautiful Championship Course at Gut Lärchenhof near Cologne, as players scramble to make the halfway cut at the end of day two. We’ve put together some of the best shots from the Jack Nicklaus-designed course on the opening two days of the 2012 BMW International Open. Enjoy!

Debut at Gut Lärchenhof: this year, the BMW International Open is in the Cologne/Düsseldorf region of Germany for the first time. The tournament itself already has several years under its belt – 2012 marks its 24th anniversary. It goes without saying that the event has seen its fair share of action over almost a quarter of a century of top-class golf. Join us as we take a foray into the history of the BMW International Open.

From Feherty to Larrazábal.

The inaugural BMW International Open took place in 1989. The first name to go down in the long list of winners was Northern Ireland’s David Feherty. Since then, only two names have been engraved on the trophy twice. Paul Azinger, whose victories in 1990 and 1992 we will come to later, and Denmark’s Thomas Björn, who won the BMW International Open in 2000 and 2002. 

Happy stomping ground for the English.

The most successful country, with five victories, is England (Russell Claydon 1998, Lee Westwood 2003, David Howell 2005, Nick Dougherty 2009 and David Horsey 2010). The English are followed by the Swedes (Robert Karlsson 1997, Henrik Stenson 2006 and Niclas Fasth 2007) and the USA (Azinger 1990 und 1992, John Daly 2001), who each have three victories to their name. Hosts Germany have had just one home victory to celebrate so far: Martin Kaymer’s victory on the 20th anniversary of the tournament in 2008.

Overtime.

On six occasions (1990, 1992, 1997, 2006, 2008, 2011) it took “extra-time” to find a winner. These play-offs produced some real golfing gems. For example, last year’s all-Spanish duel between Pablo Larrazábal and Sergio García treated fans in Munich to an extra five holes of top-quality golf before Larrazábal finally emerged triumphant. A world-class trio was on display in 2006: Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington and Retief Goosen. The Swede won with an eagle – a rarity in play-offs – on the first extra hole. The undisputed king of the play-off is Paul Azinger, however. The American won both his titles in extra-time, overcoming no less than four rivals – including Bernhard Langer – to clinch victory in 1992.

Always the bridesmaid…

Speaking of Bernhard Langer: the two-time Masters champion has certainly not suffered from a lack of success over his long and illustrious career. However, he is yet to win the BMW International Open in his home country: Langer finished runner-up in 1992, 1995, 2000, 2002 and 2007.

An unbelievable shot.

Although Nick Dougherty won the 2009 BMW International Open, many of the final day’s headlines belonged to Rafa Echenique. The Argentinean’s second shot on the par-5 18th hole was nothing short of unbelievable: an albatross – the first in the history of the tournament – from fully 222 metres.

Aces high!

A dream car has been up for grabs at each of the 23 tournaments so far. All the players needed to do was hit a hole-in-one. Never going to happen, I hear you say. Wrong. It has happened on three occasions, most recently just two years ago. Jean-François Lucquin was rewarded for his ace on the 17th at Golfclub München-Eichenried with a BMW 535i Limousine. It was another Frenchman who achieved the feat in 2001: Raphael Jacquelin landed his tee shot on the 17th straight in the hole and headed home with a brand-new BMW Z8. Jay Townsend got the ball rolling in 1991. The American needed just one shot on the 12th hole and received a BMW 325i Convertible for his troubles.

"6 Stars - 1 Match" - this was the caption for Tuesday's Opening Show Event, which marked the start of the BMW International Open week. While Martin Kaymer won the competition, one question remained unanswered: who had the most fun, the players or the spectators?

The winner of the first highlight of the 2012 BMW International Open is local hero Martin Kaymer. The German scored 18 points on Tuesday evening to secure overall victory at the Opening Show Event at Golf Club Gut Lärchenhof.

The first action of the tournament week on the 6,612-metre Championship Course may not have any bearing on the only European Tour event in Germany, but Kaymer and his five opponents were highly motivated from the outset as they went head to head in four testing challenges.

The eventual winner and 2008 BMW International Open champion was joined by Sergio Garcia, John Daly, Miguel Angel Jiménez, Paul Casey and defending champion Pablo Larrazábal for nine holes of stroke play and three exciting special tasks on the 18th green.

The six world-class pros first took on the opening eight holes of the course and the finishing 18th. Kaymer came out on top in this opening part of the competition with a score of -6, picking up five points for his efforts. It was still far too early to predict a winner at this point, however, with another 20 points up for grabs in the remaining three tasks.

The challenges awaiting the players on the 18th green were certainly just that: challenging. First up was a nearest-to-the-pin competition from long distance, followed by the same task from medium range. The pros had three attempts from each distance, with the best effort counting. The highlight was the fourth and final challenge: a chip from the grandstand, which was packed to the rafters. 2,400 spectators followed the action on the Jack Nicklaus-designed Championship Course on Tuesday.

No player managed to pull off the ultimate shot and produce a hole-in-one in any of the three special tests. This feat would have been rewarded with a real dream car: a BMW M6 Convertible. As such, the Opening Show event was all about honour, friendship, playing golf and a magnum of champagne. Kaymer proved to have the better judgement when it came to the tests of accuracy and increased his points tally to 18. This was enough to relegate Jiménez (17) and Larrazábal (15) to second and third respectively.

On Wednesday, spectators at the 2012 BMW International Open will be able to watch Kaymer in action again from 12:10, when he tees off in the Pro-Am tournament alongside BMW DTM works driver Bruno Spengler and football stars René Adler and Andreas Möller.

Almost 100,000 golf fans witnessed the 2012 BMW PGA Championship, which was played out under sunny skies. The Wentworth faithful saw Luke Donald successfully defend his title and experienced everything that makes BMW tournaments truly special. Relive the stunning Players' Flagship event with our video.

One of the many comforts enjoyed by the stars at BMW tournaments are the relaxed trips to and from the course in top-of-the-range BMW models. Now golf fans can also benefit from the shuttle journeys: we accompanied some of the pros with our camera, and took the opportunity to delve a little deeper under the surface of the European Tour's top players - such as Miguel Ángel Jiménez.

Luke Donald successfully defended his titel at the BMW PGA Championship in style. Here are the highlights of the final round for you to enjoy, as well as thoughts on day four.

Luke Donald was understandably delighted to successfully defend his BMW PGA Championship title. Here’s what the newly crowned world number one had to say about his victory on the magnificent West Course.

Winning once is an achievement in itself, but successfully defending your title is very special. Tell us how you feel.

Luke Donald: “I am thrilled. This is the first time I’ve defended a title, and what a great one to choose to defend. This is a very special event for me. It means a lot. I didn’t think it could get much better than last year’s victory and going to number one. But to win again – this course has been very kind to me and I am very, very happy right now.”

You missed a couple of makeable putts early on in the round, which is a bit out of character for you. How did you stop that knocking you off your stride?

Donald: “I felt some tension out there. It’s not easy going out there with a lead and trying to close a tournament out. Justin is a solid player. I knew he wasn’t going to give up much and that I had to go out there and earn it. It wasn’t the start I was looking for, but the finish was certainly every bit what I was hoping for.”

Why do you seem to find this place easier than others since the re-design?

Donald: “For one thing, I’m a better player than I was back in 2010. Also, it’s a course that really favours a lot of patience and a lot of shot-making. I don’t necessarily think that hitting it a long way is a huge factor around here. It is more of a positional golf course. I think the combination of these things has made this tournament very good to me.”

When you win a tournament like this, do you feel like the best player in the world?

Donald: “I feel that when I’m playing well I’m hard to beat. I think there could be 20 to 25 guys who could say that. I feel like I’m part of that group.”

With you winning, and Justin Rose and Paul Lawrie joint second, what does that say about Europe’s chances for this year’s Ryder Cup?

Donald: “I think our team is shaping up really nicely. I don’t have any doubt that Justin will be on the team, and Paul has been playing great too. I think it is going to be a tough battle, as it always is.”

It was billed as ‘The Duel on the West’, with Luke Donald’s title expected to come under fierce challenge from the numbers one and three in the world, Rory McIlroy (NIR) and Lee Westwood (ENG), but the 2012 BMW PGA Championship ended with a rampant Donald winning by four clear shots and recapturing the number one spot at the top of the world rankings.

For Donald, this was a very different final day to the dramatic scenes he experienced at the end of the 2011 tournament, when he defeated Westwood in a play-off. This year, he cut a far more relaxed figure as he strode down the 18^th with a comfortable four-shot lead. The new number one in the world was cheered onto the green by the huge galleries that have become a feature of the European Tour’s flagship event in recent years.

The final couple of holes may have looked like a stroll in the park, but that was the result of the golfing master class that Donald delivered over the four days of the tournament. Donald clearly enjoyed playing alongside eventual runner-up Justin Rose (ENG, -11) and Alvaro Quiros (ESP, -4) for the opening two days, carding back-to-back rounds of 68 and never straying far from the top of the leaderboard.

When the strong winds left the dreams of many lying tattered and torn on the iconic West Course on day three, Donald showed all his class to grind out a magnificent round of 69 and move two clear. Only his good friend Rose was able to keep pace with Donald, setting up the enticing prospect of an all-English final flight on the decisive Sunday.

When Rose birdied three and four to move level with the reigning champion, it looked like being another dramatic evening in Surrey, England. Donald responded like a true champion, however, shooting four birdies to Rose’s one over the next eight holes. With all this going on in the top flight, Paul Lawrie (-11) of Scotland almost sneaked in under the radar. The 1999 Open Champion shot the lowest round of the day, a six-under round of 66, to claim a share of second place with Rose. Fourth place went to Ireland’s Peter Lawrie (-8), who could hardly hide his delight at holing his bunker shot for a birdie on the last, while Branden Grace (RSA, -7) finished fifth.

The chasing pack were left hoping for a major blunder from the man who topped last year’s money lists on both sides of the Atlantic. But it never came. Donald rained down perfect iron shot after perfect iron shot to emerge from the Wentworth Club a thoroughly deserved winner – for the second year.

Marcel Siem's hole in one at the 2nd hole of his final round was the shot of this year's tournament. Here is the video showing the amazing ace.

One of the many comforts enjoyed by the stars at BMW tournaments are the relaxed trips to and from the course in top-of-the-range BMW models. Now golf fans can also benefit from the shuttle journeys: we accompanied some of the pros with our camera, and took the opportunity to delve a little deeper under the surface of the European Tour's top players - such as two-time Major winner Retief Goosen.

As of this season, BMW will present the golfing world with another highlight – the BMW Masters. Led by world number one Rory McIlroy, the sport's top stars will assemble at Shanghai's Lake Malaren Golf Club from 25th to 28th October, where they will fight it out for a share of the seven million dollar prize purse.

Dr. Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Marketing and Sales, BMW Group distribution channels, made the announcement at the Beijing Auto Show on Monday afternoon. "As the name indicates, the BMW Masters will play a particularly significant role in BMW's commitment to the sport as a 'Global Golf Player'," said Robertson, introducing the concept of the tournament. "The BMW Masters is another highlight in our sustainable global golf strategy. China is a key market for BMW and golf is the ideal stage, on which to present our brand values of dynamics and precision. We are delighted to be able to offer our customers and spectators from throughout Asia a top-class event – both in terms of the sport on offer and the overall visitor experience."

The BMW Masters will take its place on the European Tour calendar and, after the Majors, World Golf Championships and the season finale in Dubai, will be the most lucrative event on the Tour. The exclusive field will consist of about 78 players, the majority of whom feature in the top 100 in the world ranking list. The remaining start places will be taken four players invited directly by the organisers and a 14-man contingent from the Chinese Golf Association (CGA), with whom BMW is cooperating on the organisation of the tournament.

"I am already looking forward to teeing off at the new tournament," said McIlroy. The world number one is not only the reigning US Open Champion, but also won last year's Lake Malaren Shanghai Masters, which is now being replaced by the BMW Masters. At the tournament presentation, McIlroy's fellow Northern Irishman Darren Clarke symbolically teed off from the BMW stand using an explosive golden ball. As well as the "Claret Jug", the British Open winner also brought the "old" trophy with him. Clarke was the last man to win the BMW Asian Open in 2008. As such he will, to a certain degree, line up as defending champion in Lake Malaren.

Clarke recalled his emotional success back in 2008. "I still have very vivid memories of what was a great tournament," he said. The victory brought to an end a five-year winless streak for the Major winner. Clarke's past history at the event means he is particularly pleased to see BMW returning to China. "I cannot praise the BMW's commitment to golf highly enough. For years BMW has demonstrated around the world just how close the game is to the brand's heart. Golf would be in a far worse state without the involvement of BMW. We professionals all really appreciate what the company is doing for the game."

As far back as the start of the millennium, BMW was one of the first brands in the world to promote and encourage the growing enthusiasm for the sport in Asia. In 2001 the company responded to the growth in popularity by organising a professional tournament: the BMW Asian Open, which was also held in Shanghai.

George O’Grady, Chief Executive of the European Tour, expressed his delight at the new BMW commitment. "We are proud of many partnerships we enjoy across the world of golf, but one of the most enduring is with BMW for whom this tournament represents the third title sponsorship on The European Tour in 2012, and the 45th in total over the past 23 years since the first BMW International Open in Munich in 1989. BMW is renowned for its commitment to innovation and exceptional standards of excellence in promoting professional golf tournaments, and the visit to Lake Malaren Golf Club in Shanghai in October will once again underline that fact. Additionally The European Tour has always been made to feel so welcome by the Chinese Golf Association with whom we also have a strong committed partnership."

Dr. Ian Robertson, George O'Grady, Zhang Xiao-ning (Vice President and General Secretary of the CGA) and Shi Jian, CEO of the SRE Group, parent company of the Lake Malaren Golf Club Shanghai, were greeted by a round of applause as they signed the tournament contract, thus finalising the long-term agreement between BMW, the European Tour and the CGA.

Zhang Xiao-ning thanked BMW for its involvements: "We admire the outstanding vision and shrewd market investment of BMW Group. The BMW Masters will play a positive role in promoting the popularization and development of the world and China golf games, as well as taking the competitiveness of golf to a new level. At the same time, I hope all the contestants to present the charisma of golf for the fans giving their best performances."

May 2011. Wentworth holds its breath. This is a true first: the current top two golfers in the world, Lee Westwood and Luke Donald, go head to head for one of the most coveted titles in the world of the game. It comes down to a dramatic play-off with more than just the title at Wentworth at stake: the winner will also be crowned number one in the world. Donald comes out on top. The iconic West Course has seen its fair share of sporting drama over the years. This moment sums up everything that is special about golf. A moment that will be remembered forever. Be there when history is made again at the 2012 BMW PGA Championship (24th to 27th May) – the next chapter is waiting for you. In anticipation of this year's event, check out the best of last year's action.

The World Final of the 2011 season in Singapore featured everything that makes the BMW Golf Cup International so popular: friendly cooperation, a great atmosphere, fantastic sport, and a dream venue. This video shows what the world finalists experienced at the highlight of the world's largest international tournament series for amateur golfers.

Patient on the golf course, fast in a car: Martin Kaymer took the BMW Driving Challenge to prove he can be just as accurate at the wheel of a Formula BMW racing car and a BMW M5 as he is on the golf course - and that the BMW Brand Ambassador can't get enough when it comes to speed.