Prize Fund Increased to a Record €4,250,000

Retief Goosen and Ernie Els, respectively third and sixth in the Official World Golf Ranking, head a stellar cast of nine Major Championship winners confirmed for the BMW Championship 2006 – The Players’ Flagship at Wentworth Club, Surrey, England from May 25-28.

In all, six of the top 12 in the Official World Ranking will challenge for the €708,330 first prize from the record €4,250,000 prize fund. Goosen, his fellow South African Els, Adam Scott of Australia (eighth), England’s Luke Donald (tenth) Spain’s José Maria Olazábal (11th) and Sweden’s Henrik Stenson (12th) are all bidding to win one of the most coveted titles on The European Tour International Schedule.

Joining that illustrious group are David Howell, Colin Montgomerie – who is seeking a record-equalling fourth title – Darren Clarke, defending Champion Angel Cabrera, US Open Champion Michael Campbell, Nick O’Hern, Padraig Harrington, Paul McGinley, Thomas Björn, Niclas Fasth  and Lee Westwood.

The roll call of Major Championship winners comprises Ben Curtis, Nick Faldo, Paul Lawrie, Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam, The 2006 European Ryder Cup Captain, who join Campbell, Els, Goosen and Olazábal.

Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes, Director, BMW Central Marketing and Brand Management, said: “This great field at Wentworth Club demonstrates the players’ commitment to their Championship. We are very proud to be associated with The European Tour in such a strong partnership. We will jointly continue to work on the development of this great Championship in the future.”

George O’Grady, Executive Director of The European Tour, said: “The BMW Championship will once again bring together a superb field including nine players with 18 Major Championships between them. We thank BMW for their continued support and also Wentworth Club, for their traditional warm welcome and the far-sighted refinements made to the West Course under the supervision of Ernie Els”.

All four days of the BMW Championship – The Players’ Flagship will be broadcast live on BBC Television.

The Ticket Hotline number for the 2006 BMW Championship – The Players’ Flagship is 01782 742998. Ticket prices are as follows:

Adults                           £25.00 Daily
                                     £60.00 Season

Senior Citizen/               £10.00 Daily
Disabled                        £25.00 Season

Pro Am/                         £15.00 Adult
Practice Day                 £5.00 Senior Citizen & Disabled

Juniors (who are under 16 years of age) who apply for tickets in advance or those who turn up on the gate accompanied by a paying adult, will be admitted free of charge.

For further information on the 2006 BMW Championship – The Players’ Flagship, log onto The European Tour’s Official Website, www.europeantour.com

For further information, please contact:
European Tour Communications Division
Tel: +44 (0) 1344 840400
Fax: +44 (0) 1344 840444
Email: media@europeantour.com

Gordon Simpson
Director of Communications
Tel: +44 1344 840454 (dir)
Mob: +44 7899 940030
e mail: gsimpson@europeantour.com