BMW PGA Championship: Bruno Spengler and a galaxy of sports stars put their golfing skills on display.

Wentworth. After the Open Championship, the BMW PGA Championship at the magnificent Wentworth Club on the outskirts of London is the most important tournament in Europe. As such, it should come as no surprise that the entire 2012 Ryder Cup team will be back together for the first time on European soil since its dramatic victory. Golf fans were given their first taste of countless stars in action at today’s Pro-Am tournament. Among them: reigning DTM (German Touring Car) champion Bruno Spengler, himself an excellent golfer, and Sergio García, one of the Ryder Cup heroes who pulled off the “Miracle of Medinah” last September. Joining them in a high-speed flight are two former British racing drivers, Derek Warwick (146 Formula 1 Grands Prix between 1982 and 1993) and Tim Harvey (winner of the 1992 British Touring Car Championship in a BMW 318si).

Spengler’s round on the iconic West Course was a nice way to round off a great week in England. The Canadian was in action with BMW Team Schnitzer at the iconic Brands Hatch circuit this weekend, where he finished runner-up in the second race of the DTM season. “I struggled a bit with my game today, as I was not hitting the ball well. You only need to go slightly to the right or left and you are punished immediately here. But it was so much fun! It was great to have the opportunity to play with Sergio on this great course here at Wentworth. Thank you to Sergio and thank you to BMW for allowing me to be here on this amazing course. I was like a kid today,” said a delighted Spengler, whose handicap of just over 4 sees him playing a level of golf that is virtually on a par with the pros. “I spent a lot of time studying Sergio, the way he sets up and his swing. I find it very interesting. I only started playing golf in 2008 and now play off a handicap of 4.5, so I’m improving. It is a great opportunity to get away from racing for a bit and really helps me a lot with my concentration. You learn to stay calm in any situation. I am very keen to improve. It would be nice to play the odd par round and compete in a few tournaments.”

After an absence of 13 years, García was accompanied around the stunning West Course by large crowds, all desperate for a glimpse of the ever-popular Spaniard. And he arrives at Wentworth in dazzling form, having been right in contention until the penultimate hole of the prestigious Players Championship (PGA TOUR) a fortnight ago. And he enjoyed his round with the trio of racing drivers. “It was great company out there. All three were very nice guys, and Bruno certainly has potential. I’m looking forward to playing this great tournament and will do my best to put on a good show for the fans,” said García, who will also tee off at the 25th BMW International Open in Munich in June.

Many other well-known sportsmen from a wide range of different sports teed off in the Pro-Am tournament. English tennis great Tim Henman and US Open runner-up Greg Rusedski were also out and about on the fairways at the Wentworth Club. Rugby fans were also in for a real treat, with a large contingent including Chris Robshaw, captain of the English national team, as well as World Cup winners Will Greenwood, Matt Dawson and their victorious coach Sir Clive Woodward. Perennial Pro-Am favourites and multiple Olympic rowing champions Sir Steve Redgrave and Sir Matthew Pinsent are back again this year for another crack at the iconic course.

Just a few days ahead of the Champions League final, which sees FC Bayern Munich take on Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on Saturday, Wentworth was also struck by football fever at Wednesday’s Pro-Am: among those showing that they are not only extremely gifted with the ball at their feet were Theo Walcott, Andriy Shevchenko, Gianfranco Zola, Aaron Ramsay, John Arne Riise, Jamie Redknapp, Alan Hansen, Ian Wright and Matt Le Tissier.

Before battle commences for the most important title in European club football, however, the eyes of sports fans in Britain and abroad will be on the BMW PGA Championship. A new crowd record is expected over the next four days. Not only is a world-class field on display, but there could be history in the making: should Luke Donald actually complete a hat-trick of titles at Wentworth, he would equal the record held by Colin Montgomerie. The Scot is currently the only player to have achieved this feat (1998-2000).