BMW Indoor Invitational powered by TrackMan.

•   European Tour players, including Lee Westwood (ENG), Martin Kaymer (GER) and Bernd Wiesberger (AUT) to use TrackMan technology to compete from home over the next five weeks.
• Winners of each tournament to receive 10,000 US dollars to benefit a coronavirus charity of their choice.
• The five virtual venues include the home of the BMW International Open, Golfclub München Eichenried, on 23rd May.
• Extensive footage of the innovative format to be shown on social media channels on Saturdays.

Munich/Wentworth. The BMW Indoor Invitational powered by TrackMan , which gets underway this week, sees European Tour players go head to head from the safety of their home in a virtual tournament series, using the latest simulator technology. The players, who include Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Bernd Wiesberger, will play for a cheque for 10,000 US dollars, which the winner will donate to a coronavirus initiative of his choice. Footage of the tournaments will be shown on the European Tour, BMW Golfsport and TrackMan social media channels.

„In a time when professional golf tours around the world are being forced to take a break, we are able to offer golf fans, as well as the pros themselves, a unique competition in the form of the BMW Indoor Invitational powered by TrackMan. We are looking forward to the coming weeks, an innovative format, and some exciting digital content,“ says Jörn Plinke, Head of BMW Golfsport Marketing. “BMW enjoys long-term partnerships with TrackMan and the European Tour and shares the aspiration to also drive golf further with a digital format. Together, we have managed to create a new type of competition, which features a host of top players and, with the prize money on offer, supports local coronavirus initiatives.”

With regular tournament action currently suspended due to the ongoing global efforts against the spread of coronavirus, world-class golfers have been turning to training solutions at home, including the latest TrackMan software and simulators. The BMW Indoor Invitational powered by TrackMan will enable the stars to compete against each other, giving fans the opportunity to watch top-class competitive golf again.

The new series consists of five one-round (18 hole) stroke play tournaments, played virtually on some of the most iconic golf courses on the European Tour – including Golfclub München Eichenried, home of the BMW International Open, and Wentworth Club, venue of the BMW PGA Championship – powered by TrackMan. Each week, the tournament winner will receive 10,000 US dollars to donate to a charity or relief fund of his choice, which has been helping communities impacted by the Coronavirus.

Players will play their rounds between Monday and Wednesday each week. The action will then be shown the following Saturday on the social media channels of the European Tour, BMW Golfsport and TrackMan. The footage can be found using the hashtag #BMWTrackManInvitational. Tournament footage will also be available via https://bmw.trackmaninvitational.com.

Rufus Hack, European Tour’s Chief Content Officer, says: “While the absolute priority for all of us has been, and continues to be, public health and well-being, we also recognise that golf fans are missing watching the leading players compete. Hopefully, the BMW Indoor Invitational powered by TrackMan can help fill the void, whilst also benefitting charities or relief funds, which have been so essential in the battle against Coronavirus.”

“BMW, The European Tour and TrackMan teaming up like this is a great example of how the sport can come together and rise above the difficulties of the current situation. With TrackMan Virtual Golf, we’re able to play a professional tour on iconic, internationally recognized courses that will push the contestants to their limits. The tournament will be extremely challenging but also great fun. We’re all really looking forward to it,” says Klaus Eldrup-Jørgensen, CEO & Co-Founder TrackMan A/S.

Tournament schedule.
Week 1: Saturday, 9^th May, St Andrews, Old Course
Week 2: Saturday, 16^th May, Royal Portrush
Week 3: Saturday, 23^rd May, Golfclub München Eichenried
Week 4: Saturday, 30^th May, Real Club Valderrama
Week 5: Saturday, 6^th June, Wentworth Club