BMW Masters: Golf stars challenge European table tennis champion Timo Boll.

Shanghai. Rory McIlroy could be seen snapping away on his smart phone as Martin Kaymer failed with his tenth attempt to return a serve from Timo Boll. Meanwhile, Wu A-Shun waited impatiently to return to the table for his next match. The three golf pros, under the guidance of newly crowned European table tennis champion Boll, warmed up for the start of the BMW Masters (25th to 28th October) with an entertaining competition on the 18th green of Lake Malaren Golf Club. Prior to this fun event, the tournament was officially opened during a press conference on the third floor of the BMW Pavilion.

“Table tennis” was McIlroy’s correct answer when asked what the national sport is in China. “I know a German who can hold his own against the Chinese,” added Kaymer. Right on cue, Boll entered stage left to accompany the world-class golfers to the table. There followed a series of short matches, in which the golfers showed off their prowess with a table tennis bat and took on the former world number one in this sport.

“I never expected to get many balls back against Timo, and that turned out to be the case,” said BMW Brand Ambassador Kaymer, one of the eleven European Ryder Cup heroes teeing off at the BMW Masters. “It was great fun though. We are all sportsmen, and are suitably competitive. That is why we are so annoyed when we hit a ball out, even at an event like this.” Boll, however, was still full of praise for the trio of golfers. “Rory, Wu A-Shun and Martin did well. Martin has a good backhand, but there is still work to do on his forehand.”

The best golfers in the world are much adored in China – as shown, for example, by the BMW Asian Open, which was held in Shanghai until 2008. In the land of table tennis, however, Boll enjoys even greater popularity. The Chinese love the German’s extraordinary style of play and technique. He has even passed the 1,000,000 “followers” mark on the Chinese social media platform “Tencent”. Boll travelled to China straight from the European Championships, where he won his sixth singles title.

“There are a few parallels between golf and table tennis,” said Kaymer. “Both sports are on the up. It is great that we have such an exceptionally talented table tennis player as Timo in Germany.” “And golfers who sink the deciding putt in the Ryder Cup,” added Boll. There was a good chemistry between the two Germans, although they had never met before. Kaymer invited Germany’s top table tennis player to play the ProAm tournament at next year’s 25th anniversary of the BMW International Open. Boll then discovered how it feels to play a full round with a pro, when he took to the Jack Nicklaus-designed course alongside Justin Rose in the ProAm tournament at the BMW Masters.

McIlroy and Wu A-Shun also enjoyed their encounter with Boll on the table tennis table. McIlroy even clenched his fist when he unleashed a powerful forehand to claim a point from the European champion. A few moments later, he was celebrating again as he won the “Nearest-the-Pin” competition with his trusty golf club. “That was a nice start to the week,” said the Northern Irishman. “With this top-class field, it won’t be easy to win here like I did last year.”