BMW Championship: Tradition, Top Players, New Title; BMW becomes New Partner of the most renowned golf tournament on The European Tour

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The corporate automotive brand BMW and The European Tour are delighted to
announce their new partnership in the BMW Championship - the PGA Championship -
to be staged on the West Course at Wentworth Club, Surrey, England, from May
26-29, 2005.

This highly significant development for European golf means that BMW will be
partner of an unprecedented four tournaments on The European Tour International
Schedule, namely the BMW Championship, the BMW Asian Open (April 28-May 1), the
BMW Russian Open (August 11-14) and the BMW International Open (August 25-28)
in addition to becoming Official Car to The European Tour.

The new agreement between BMW and The European Tour to develop what is regarded
as the flagship tournament on The European Tour International Schedule runs for
four years between 2005 and 2008. With a record €4,000,000 prize fund and a
first prize of €666,660 in 2005, the BMW Championship is the most highly prized
event in Europe after the Open Golf Championship. All four days of the BMW
Championship will receive global television coverage which will include the BBC
and The Golf Channel.

"Wentworth is symbolic of great tradition and countless important competitions.
Availing of its experience as a promoter of international golf sports events
such as the BMW International Open and BMW Asian Open, BMW will ensure the
successful future of the tournament", states the Championship President and
Managing Director BMW Great Britain Jim O`Donnell.

George O`Grady, Executive Director of The European Tour, said: "Everyone
familiar with BMW`s superb expertise and special organisational skills will
understand why this is a landmark day for The European Tour. BMW has been an
important partner with the Tour since the BMW International Open was launched
in 1989 and we are now delighted that their fourth event on The European Tour
International Schedule is our flagship tournament. We thank all at BMW for
their commitment to golf, and specifically to The European Tour, and we also
greatly value BMW`s commitment as the new Official Car to The European Tour."

Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Director BMW Central Marketing and Brand Management,
said: "By its exclusiveness, its aesthetics and fascination, golf, as a sport,
and especially the new BMW Championship, fits perfectly in line with the brand
BMW. With such a prestigious tournament as the PGA Championship, we are
significantly increasing our commitment within the international world of golf.
We look forward to enhancing our already strong partnership with The European
Tour by progressing the BMW Championship with which we have acquired the
history and tradition of the PGA Championship."

Scott Drummond became, in 2004, the 50th winner of what will now be known as
the BMW Championship, following in the footsteps of a roll call of great
champions including Peter Alliss, Bernard Gallacher, Tony Jacklin, Peter
Oosterhuis, Arnold Palmer, Neil Coles, Nick Faldo, Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard
Langer, Ian Woosnam, José Maria Olazábal and Colin Montgomerie. Drummond will
defend his title against many of the leading players in the world when the BMW
Championship is played on the West Course at Wentworth Club for the 25th time
from May 26-29.

In the case of further queries please contact:

BMW Group
Nicole Stempinsky
Public Relations, Sports Communication
Tel.: +49 89-382 51584
Fax: +49 89-382 26972
e-mail: Nicole.Stempinsky@bmw.de
Michael Kirsch
Head of Public Relations
Tel.: +49 89 382 25111
Fax: +49 89 382 26972
e-mail: Michael.Kirsch@bmw.de

Internet: http://www.bmw-golfsport.com
e-mail: presse@bmw.de