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Kaymer and Montgomerie rev up for BMW's jubilee |
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BMW celebrated the upcoming 20th anniversary edition of the €2 million BMW International Open at Golfclub München Eichenried from June 19-22 with a spectacular ‘tee-off’ in Munich today.
At a heady altitude of 99 metres above the ground, Germany’s emerging star and current Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year, Martin Kaymer, and eight-time winner of The European Tour Order of Merit, Colin Montgomerie, symbolically teed off from the roof of the BMW Four-Cylinder Building, each hitting a golden golf ball towards the adjacent and spectacular BMW Welt building.
Montgomerie, who won the BMW International Open at Golfclub München Eichenried in 1999, said: “It is a rather unusual experience to open a tournament in this fashion, but it really was a lot of fun to tee up on this unique building, from where I had a really sensational view across the entire city.”
Kaymer quipped that he had not hit his ball squarely; “otherwise it would easily have landed on the roof of the BMW Welt building!”
Both golfers have entered the 20th edition of tournament which, for the first time, will feature Philipp von Sahr as the Tournament President and, speaking at a media conference at BMW Welt, he said: “It is a particular honour that we are able to host this tournament this year for the 20th time.
“The BMW International Open is a particularly unique event, for it takes place virtually at the gates of Munich, where the heart of BMW beats.”
As Partner and Official Car provider, BMW supports The European Ryder Cup Team and is a Partner to The European Tour and the relationship between golf and BMW was further enhanced as, prior to the ‘tee off’, Kaymer and Montgomerie – both knowledgeable motor enthusiasts –made their acquaintances with the legendary BMW M1 sports car which this year is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
As well as watching Kaymer and Montgomerie in action in June, visitors to the 20th BMW International Open can look forward to a top class entry list featuring 156 professionals.
Included in their number are Germany’s own double Masters Tournament Champion Bernhard Langer and Thomas Björn of Denmark, another past winner of the BMW International Open. Also entered is two time US Open winner Retief Goosen of South Africa, the current European Tour Order of Merit leader Henrik Stenson, and his fellow Swede, defending champion Niclas Fasth.
“It is obvious that for this jubilee edition of our tournament we are able to present a truly exciting entry list,” said Tournament Director Marco Kaussler. “We are expecting confirmations from even more top players over the next few days.”
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