The 2006 BMW Asian Open will take place in Shanghai from 20th to 23rd April. In a press conference on February 10th, first information regarding players, prize money, and accompanying event programme will be released.

The 2006 BMW Asian Open marks the beginning of the major BMW tournaments. The world's golfing elite will meet at the Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golfclub in the middle of April. In the course of the year, the BMW Championship in Wentworth in England (25th to 28th May) as well as the BMW International Open in Nord-Eichenried, close to Munich (31st August to 3rd September) will follow.

Particular excitement should be expected at this year's edition of the BMW International Open, since it is the last chance to qualify for the 2006 Ryder Cup. This year's edition of the prestigious battle of continents will be held in Straffan in Ireland. BMW is the "Official Car" of the bi-annual Ryder Cup.

The BMW Asian Open is one of the most important tournaments on the Asian continent. Since its debut in 2002, the world's best golfers have competed for the title in China. The winners so far have been Jarmo Sandelin, Padraig Harrington, Miguel Angel Jimenéz, and Ernie Els.

03.02.2006

The BMW Asian Open traditionally features an exquisite entry list. The 2006 edition will make no exception, as many interesting players have already announced their arrival. The most outstanding players in an overview.

Colin Montgomerie or "Monty" as he is known to adoring fans worldwide is coming off a career-revitalising season in 2005, which included two titles and 14 top ten finishes, including a second place finish at The Open Championship. He capped his season in Asia with his victory at the UBS Hong Kong Open. His performance in 2005 secured him his eighth European Tour Order of Merit title and re-entry into the top ten in the world rankings after a three-year absence. Rejuvenated after his success of last year, "Monty" will be gunning to add another title to his illustrious resume in Shanghai.

Two British stars to look out for in Shanghai are current European Tour Order of Merit leader David Howell and current world number 16 ranked Luke Donald, who are both members of the triumphant 2004 Ryder Cup European Team. Last year, Howell came back from serious injury to win the BMW International Open in August, before outgunning world number one Tiger Woods in Shanghai to win HSBC Champions Trophy. Donald, who has two wins on the European Tour so far, won the 2004 WGC World Cup and claimed the Target World Championship last December.

Danish golfer Thomas Björn, the current world number 25, is one name that Asian golf fans will be familiar with. In addition to finishing third in last year's BMW Asian Open, Björn notched a fourth placed finish at the Caltex Masters in Singapore and finished tied for third in the TCL Classic in China in 2005. Björn enjoyed six other top ten finishes in 2005 including a T2nd finish at the 87th PGA Championship in the USA.

Miguel Angel Jiménez winner of the BMW Asian Open and Hong Kong Open in 2004 and currently ranked 38th in the world rankings is returning for another shot at the title in Shanghai. He will be joined by another legendary European pro, British golfer Nick Faldo, winner of six majors in his illustrious career.

You can find extensive information about the stars of the BMW Asian Open in our "Players' Portraits".

10.02.2006

Next to the established stars of the European and the Asian Tour ambitious young guns from China will be given a chance to prove themselves at the 2006 BMW Asian Open. Here, you will find reactions to the kick-off press conference.

Jochen Goller, General Manager Marketing for BMW Group Region China Import Operation: "Since moving the BMW Asian Open to China in 2004, this tournament and China's golf scene have enjoyed steady growth. The BMW Asian Open's success initiated an important boost for the development of the sport in China. BMW has thus contributed to the establishment of this event among the premier tournaments in China, the world's fastest growing golf market. BMW is delighted to announce that members of the BMW China Junior Team will - for the first time - get a chance to compete against the world's best players in a European Tour event like the BMW Asian Open 2006. With our close co-operation with the Chinese Golf Association, we hope to contribute to the successful development of golf sports in China. Who knows, the next golf superstar could be one of China's very own players?"

Marco Kaussler, Tournament Director of the BMW Asian Open: "We are very proud to welcome once again an outstanding players' field to the BMW Asian Open in 2006. With international superstars like Monty, Luke Donald, David Howell, Thomas Björn, Miguel Jiménez, Nick Faldo and Zhang Lian-wei in the field, this tournament looks set to draw large crowds to the Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club and attract new fans for golf in China."

10.02.2006

BMW today announced another stellar line-up for the 2006 edition of its premier Asian golf tournament, the BMW Asian Open. The tournament will return to the Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club for a third consecutive year from Thursday 20th April to Sunday 23rd April, 2006.

Headlining the international field for the BMW Asian Open 2006 is Colin Montgomerie, currently ranked 11th in the world. Other star players confirmed for the event include European Tour leader David Howell (world ranking: 15th), English star Luke Donald (world ranking: 16th), Thomas Björn from Denmark (world ranking: 25th), 2004 BMW Asian Open champion Miguel Angel Jiménez, currently ranked 38th in the world, six-time Major winner European star Nick Faldo and China's top ranked professional golfer Zhang Lian-wei.

The BMW Asian Open 2006 is hosted by the China Golf Association, the PGA European Tour, and the Asian Tour. On the 6.674 metre long Championship Course in the heart of Shanghai, the players participating in China's most important golf tournament will be competing for a prize money total of 1.5 million dollars.

Last July, BMW announced its three-year sponsorship of the BMW China Junior Golf Team. The team consists of 21 players between 10 and 16 years and trained in the United States in February this year. The names of the BMW China Junior Team players that will play in April's BMW Asian Open will only be announced at a later date.

10.02.2006