Several of Europe’s Ryder Cup Team, including three of the World’s top four players, will meet again when The European Tour heads to Shanghai’s Lake Malaren Golf Club from October 25-28 for the inaugural BMW Masters.
World Number One Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland will be joined by Englishmen Luke Donald and Lee Westwood, currently ranked second and fourth in the world, in the field for the US$7million event.
BMW Brand Ambassador Martin Kaymer, the 2010 US PGA Champion, will also be part of the stellar cast, along with Nicolas Colsaerts, Peter Hanson, Paul Lawrie, Graeme McDowell, Francesco Molinari, Ian Poulter and Justin Rose from José María Olazábal’s European Team.
Eckhard Wannieck, Head of BMW International Sponsorship, Cooperation and Product Placement, said: “As the name indicates, the BMW Masters will play an important role in the commitment of BMW as a ‘Global Golf Player’.
“The BMW Masters is another highlight of our global and sustainable golf strategy. China is a key market for BMW and golf, an ideal stage on which to convey our approach to dynamics and precision.
“We are delighted to be able to present our customers and spectators across Asia with an event of the highest standard – both from a sporting and spectator experience point of view. We are very pleased to be able to welcome three of the top four players in the world rankings, as well as the majority of the European Ryder Cup Team.”
Westwood has already tasted plenty of success in Asia, winning ten titles in the continent, and he is looking forward to competing for another trophy.
He said: “I’m really excited to be going to China for the BMW Masters. I love playing in the Far East and my record out there reflects that. We are always given a fantastic welcome in China and BMW events are never anything less than excellent, so it is set to be a great week. Lake Malaren is a fantastic course so I’m looking forward to playing it again and testing myself against what will be a very strong field.”
Meanwhile, as leader of the Race to Dubai, McIlroy will be looking to for a strong performance to hold off the challenge of Ryder Cup teammate Rose who is currently second in the standings, and the BMW Masters offers the highest prize money on the European Tour after the Majors, World Golf Championship tournaments and the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.
