Sweden’s Henrik Stenson returns to Shanghai as the top draw in the star-studded 2008 BMW Asian Open April 24-27, undoubtedly with something to prove at Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club after a near-miss two years ago.

The top-ranked Swede, the current leader on the European Tour Order of Merit and World No. 12, gave his Chinese fans a glimpse of why many were predicting big things for the 31-year-old Gothenberg native when he led the 2006 BMW Asian Open at Tomson Pudong through three rounds.

After reeling off birdies on holes six through eight in the final round to take a three-stroke lead, Stenson found tree trouble on the ninth and carded a triple-bogey eight. After falling out of the lead, he fought back to birdie the final hole and force a playoff with Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano.

It was quickly over, however, as Gonzalo produced a memorable chip to birdie the first.

Stenson, who will be playing in China for the eighth time when he comes to Shanghai for the US$2.3 million tournament, admitted he was disappointed by the result during his last visit but was proud of the way he fought back to force the playoff.

“Of course it is never fun to lose a playoff, but I know I can play well at Tomson Pudong. I am very motivated to try and go one better this time,” said the six-time winner on the European Tour.

As in previous years, BMW and golf enthusiasts do not have to pay entrance fees to this world-class event. Simply, register via a special Call-Center telephone or by email/internet to receive a personal invitation to the BMW Asian Open 2008.

For those who decide spontaneously to watch the BMW Asian Open 2008, access will be granted by registration at the main entrance at Tomson Golf Club.

03.04.2008

Miguel Ángel Jiménez one of the most popular players ever to grace a BMW Asian Open field, returns to Shanghai's Tomson Pudong Golf Club April 24-27 as one of the star attractions in the US$2.3 million tournament.

The flamboyant Spaniard nicknamed "the Mechanic," known worldwide for his ever-present cigar and love of cars (BMWs a particular favorite), has featured in all seven BMW Asian Opens since the tournament debuted in Taiwan in 2001.

After winning in 2004 and several top-10 finishes over the years, Jiménez is eager to kiss the BMW Asian Open trophy once again, especially as Asia is a region where he is comfortable and had performed consistently well. Last November, he won his second UBS Hong Kong Open in three years, after beating Asian stars K.J. Choi and Thongchai Jaidee and Swede Robert Karlsson by one stroke.

"I love coming to Shanghai and Asia. It's always so much easier to play well when you are relaxed and enjoying yourself," said Jiménez. "BMW always take special care of the players at all the tournaments they support around the world, plus the golf courses BMW uses seem to suit my game well. I've played well in Shanghai, in Munich and more recently at Wentworth in England. Let's hope I can keep it up."

Jiménez, famous for his trademark pony-tail, has become a particular favorite with the local Shanghai fans and can often be seen surrounded by a mob of people at tournaments signing autographs and hats, all the while puffing away on a cigar.

07.04.2008

An in-form Retief Goosen will be one of the top draws at the upcoming US$2.3 million BMW Asian Open, April 24-27 at Tomson Pudong Golf Club, as the South African star comes to Shanghai on a high note after an equal runner-up finish at the recent WGC CA Championship in Florida.

The two-time US Open winner, the current World No. 26, is one of the game's elite players and always plays some of his best golf in China, a country where he has won twice previously in 2005 and 2006. Last season, he led the Champions' event in Shanghai through three rounds only to finish equal third, while he was equal 15th at Tomson Pudong during his BMW Asian Open debut.

"I have played in China many times, the first time probably being the World Cup in 1995. I have been lucky to play in Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen and Hainan Island,"said the winner of 32 tournaments worldwide during an illustrious career.

Goosen, who captured U.S. Open titles in 2001 and 2004, is coming to Shanghai fresh off his appearance at the U.S. Masters, a tournament where he has finished equal runner-up and equal third over the last two years. He had high praise for the quality of China’s golf courses and said the growth of golf here was testament to how the game had become a global sport.

Goosen said he wasn’t worried about the competition and instead concentrated on improving his own game in pursuit of a third Major title and a third European Tour Order of Merit.
"Winning, at the end of the day, is the goal. By winning Majors you put yourself in a great position to win the Order of Merit."

10.04.2008

Chinese golf fans are in for a rare treat at the upcoming US$2.3 million BMW Asian Open, April 24-27 in Shanghai, when Australian great Greg Norman graces the all-star field.

The two-time British Open winner, who with Nick Faldo dominated golf in the immediate pre-Tiger Woods era of the 1980s and early 1990s, is making a rare tournament appearance at Tomson Pudong Golf Club, only his third event this year.

Although now already 53 years old, the 2001 World Golf Hall of Fame inductee showed he was still a match for the current generation of top golfers when he finished equal seventh at the South African Airways Open in December, five strokes clear of South African giants Ernie Els and Retief Goosen.

In his last Shanghai appearance at the 2004 BMW Asian Open, Norman was right among the leaders at five-under before getting disqualified in the third round for a wrong drop on Tomson Pudong’s difficult par-three 17th.

"I feel good about the game," reveals Norman. "I have tremendous amount of respect for BMW's commitment to golf worldwide and have enjoyed playing in BMW events around the world. I expect to have a good showing in Shanghai."

For a chance to watch the Great White Shark in action at the BMW Asian Open 2008, register at the entrance of Tomson Golf Club Pudong to gain access to this world-class golf event.

18.04.2008

The fifth BMW Asian Open to be held in Shanghai kicked off this afternoon with some of Europe, Asia and South Africa's leading players gathered at the Fairway Club located at the spectacular finishing hole at Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club.

Joining two-time US Open champion Retief Goosen and former world number one Greg Norman were current Europe's number two Henrik Stenson, Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Liang Wen-Chong and China’s most celebrated golfer Zhang Lian-Wei and defending champion Raphaël Jacquelin.

Stenson, current world number 13 and the highest ranked player in the field, will be hoping to go one better than in his last visit in 2006 where he lost in a play-off to Spain's Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano. Two-time US Open champion Goosen, the second-highest ranked player, is making his second trip to Tomson Pudong and will certainly rank as one of the pre-tournament favourites.

No Asian player has won the past six editions of BMW Asian Open and Chinese fans will certainly be backing one of the local favourites to score a breakthrough victory.

Besides the prize money of US$2.3million, a brand new BMW X6, which will be introduced to the Chinese market later in the week, awaits the first person who scores a hole-in-one at the 216-yard Hole 14.

More fun is expected on April 23rd when the BMW Asian Open Pro-Am tees off with a strong turn out of celebrities and local dignitaries. In addition, there will also be a spectacular preview show from world trick golf champion Geoff Swain, who is making his debut in Shanghai and a spectacular demonstration of the BMW xDrive at the improved and expanded Spectator Village.

The star-studded BMW Asian Open 2008 tees off Thursday morning, April 24.

For those who decide spontaneously to watch the BMW Asian Open 2008, access will be granted by registration at the main entrance at Tomson Golf Club.

22.04.2008

Thai star Thongchai Jaidee is 'hungry' for success at this week's US$2.3 million BMW Asian Open after enduring a frustrating injury-hit past few months.

The two-time Asian Tour number one aims to eclipse the stars of the game gathered at Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club despite being short of practice following his latest bout with a back problem.

The BMW Asian Open, sanctioned by the Asian Tour, European Tour and China Golf Association, will only be Thongchai's third tournament of the 2008 season and he will face the likes of Henrik Stenson, title holder Raphael Jacquelin, Retief Goosen and Greg Norman.

"I'm hungry to play golf," said Thongchai on the eve of the event. "I've only had two tournaments this year, so I'm eager to get my season going. I certainly hope to play good golf again. I know that I can still play and these problems that I’ve had are normal for a golfer."

Other top players gathered for this week's BMW Asian Open include 2004 champion Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain and inaugural winner Jarmo Sandelin of Sweden, 2005 US Open champion Michael Campbell of New Zealand and current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Mark Brown of New Zealand.

China's Liang Wen-chong, the 2007 Asian Tour number one, and veteran Zhang Lian-wei will spearhead the local challenge.

Besides world class golfing action, spectators to the BMW Asian Open can look forward to a spectacular trick golf show by world trick golfshot champion Geoff Swain who is making his debut in Shanghai. Englishman Swain will be performing daily at the expanded Public Area which has a striking BMW car display, the exciting BMW xDrive demonstration, the UBS Game Improvement Zone, the Emirates Spectator Charity Hole-in-One challenge and other exciting booths from Ecco, Meissen and many other partners.

For those who decide spontaneously to watch the BMW Asian Open 2008, access will be granted by registration at the main entrance at Tomson Golf Club.

23.04.2008

Australian veteran Peter O'Malley snatched the first round lead at the BMW Asian Open on Thursday as in-form Indian star Jeev Milkha Singh headed the chasing pack.

"I played really well. I haven’t played a lot recently and had six weeks off after India. I played last week in Beijing and missed the cut but didn’t think the game was far away." said O'Malley.

With seven career victories under belt but his last triumph being the 2005 New Zealand PGA Championship, O'Malley reckons he has a chance to put the shade on some of the world's best players gathered in Shanghai. He likes the Tomson course and finished tied 15th and equal eighth in the last two editions of the BMW Asian Open.

Veteran Zhang Lian-wei endured two three-putt bogeys in his round of 70 but was pleased with his start. "I'm very happy but it's still the first day. My iron play was very good, much better than last week (where he missed the cut)."

The 53-year-old Norman, who has scaled down his playing schedule to focus on his thriving global business, swapped three birdies against two bogeys and lamented poor concentration for the dropped shots.

24.04.2008

Zhang Lian-wei lifted Chinese hopes of a first home winner of the BMW Asian Open after a sensational birdie at the last propelled him into the joint halfway lead with Robert-Jan Derksen on Friday.
The 42-year-old Zhang, the grand master of Chinese golf, holed a 25-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole at Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club to match the Dutchman’s three-under-par 69 and two-day total of five-under-par 139.
Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke also carded a 69 to lie one off the pace while overnight leader Peter O’Malley of Australia scrambled to a 74 for a 141 and was tied with England’s Miles Tunnicliff, who shot a 70.
Asian Tour’s number one Liang Wen-chong and amateur Hu Mu provided more local cheers by tying for sixth place, three off the lead, alongside Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen-tang, two-time Major winner Retief Goosen, New Zealand’s Mark Brown and England’s Oliver Wilson.
Australian legend Greg Norman carded a 73 to lie in tied 16th place, five shots behind the leaders. The halfway cut was set at three-over-par 147 with 66 players progressing into the weekend rounds.
In addition to cheering on the Chinese players in hope of seeing the first Asian winner of the BMW Asian Open, local fans can visit the expanded Public Area which includes a daily performance by the world trick golf champion Geoff Swain and the spectacular BMW xDrive demonstration.
In order to make this tournament accessible to the Chinese fans, admission to this world-class golfing event is free.

25.04.2008

Ryder Cup star Darren Clarke slipped into the driver's seat at the BMW Asian Open after a sparkling five-under-par 67 gave him a one-shot lead after the third round on Saturday.

Little-known Englishman Robert Dinwiddie produced the day's best of 66 to charge into third place, two off the lead while Chinese Taipei's Lin Wen-tang was a further stroke back after a battling 69 in the US$2.3 million event sanctioned by the Asian Tour, European Tour and China Golf Association.

An eagle on the par four 17th earned Chinese teenage amateur Hu Mu the honour as the best placed local player in a share of fifth place following a 71 with amongst others, India’s Digvijay Singh, who fired an impressive 67.

Joint overnight leader Zhang Lian-wei endured a difficult 76 while Liang Wen-chong settled for a 73 as both players ended the day in a share of 15th place.

Clarke, who is making his maiden visit to China, was in his element as he rolled in birdies on the second, sixth, 10th, 15th and 18th holes to take pole position heading into the final round.

"I was very pleased with the way I hit the ball. For the most part I had the ball under control. 67 is probably the least favoured results for the way I played," said Clarke, who is a 10-time winner on the European Tour.

26.04.2008

Irish eyes were smiling once again for Darren Clarke when he claimed an emotional victory with a heroic final-hole birdie at the BMW Asian Open on Sunday.

It marked a welcome return to the winner’s circle for Clarke, who has endured a difficult past few years following the death of his wife Heather through cancer in 2006 and a dip in form.

Clarke carded a final round of one-over-par 73 in tough conditions for an eight-under-par 280 aggregate to secure his 11th career victory on the European Tour and his first since the 2005 Taiheiyo Masters in Japan.

Chinese Taipei's Lin Wen-tang holed a 25-foot birdie on the 18th for a 72 to earn a share of third place, three behind the winner as he finished as the top Asian in the US$2.3 million event sanctioned by the Asian Tour, European Tour and China Golf Association.

Liang Wen-chong finished as the highest placed Chinese player in a share of 14th after closing with a 73 for a 288 total. Chinese teenager Hu Mu closed with a disappointing 79 for tied 35th place but won the inaugural BMW Asian Open 2008 Top Amateur award. China’s golfing pioneer Zhang Lian-wei also carded a 79 for tied 46th place, while Li Chao was further back in 61st position.

Australian legend Greg Norman signed off with a 71 for a share of 14th place on 288.

Besides great golfing action, a record 17,000 Chinese fans enjoyed plenty of other activities at expanded Public Area of the BMW Asian Open 2008 over the past four days.

27.04.2008