The 2024 BMW PGA Championship is scheduled for 17 – 22 September at the Wentworth Club in Surrey, England. This year is particularly special as BMW is celebrating its 20th year as the title partner of the DP World Tour’s flagship event. We’ll look back at key moments from the last two decades to honour this successful partnership.
The championship, originally known as the British PGA Championship and dating back to 1955, came under BMW’s sponsorship in 2005. Since then, the tournament has evolved into a ‘Festival of Golf’ featuring star-studded Pro-Am lineups, a Championship Village, and live concerts from renowned artists. The 20th BMW PGA Championship follows the 35th BMW International Open, strengthening the brand’s commitment to international golf.
In addition to a prestigious list of champions, the tournament has made a significant impact by supporting various charitable causes over the past 20 years. The most recent beneficiary is the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), which is dedicated to changing the conversation around mental health and suicide. Since 2022, over £150,000 has been raised for CALM, which will continue as an official charity partner for a third consecutive year.
The 20th BMW PGA Championship is expected to be the most widely attended tournament, with Saturday and Sunday tickets already sold out. We will explore tournament and automotive highlights from the past two decades of play.
In 2006, two champions were crowned. The second BMW PGA Championship saw David Howell win by five shots, becoming the first homegrown winner since Nick Faldo in 1989. Also in 2006, the BMW 3 Series was named ‘Car of the Year’ at the prestigious 2006 What Car? Car of the Year Awards. The 3 Series, in its fifth incarnation, was praised by What Car? for its sharp driving dynamics, outstanding refinement, and everyday practicality.
In 2008, golf icon Miguel Ángel Jiménez showcased a remarkable performance. He aced the fifth hole and beat Oliver Wilson on the second extra hole to claim the title. The BMW X6 was also born to stand out in the automotive world, launching as the world’s first-ever Sports Activity Coupé. It combined the attributes of an SUV with the stance of a coupé for the first time.”
In 2010, South African golfing legend Ernie Els oversaw the redesign of the West Course, including a major revamp of the 18th hole, which earned the course the nickname ‘The Big Easy’. Additionally, during the same year, the BMW 5 Series Touring entered its fourth generation, featuring an eight-speed automatic transmission, Auto Start-Stop technology, and a remarkable luggage capacity of up to 1,670 litres.
In 2011 and 2012, Luke Donald from England achieved an outstanding feat by winning the championship, defeating his compatriot Lee Westwood, and securing the top spot as the world number one golfer for the first time. He successfully defended his title in 2012, making him only the third player, following the footsteps of Colin Montgomerie and Sir Nick Faldo.
During the same time period, the fifth-generation BMW M5 was launched. It featured a remarkable 560 horsepower, a 10% increase from its predecessor. Even more impressive is that the new model reduced fuel consumption by more than 30%.
In 2013, Matteo Manassero from Italy became the youngest-ever tournament winner at just 20 years of age. It was also the year when the BMW i3, the first series-produced model by BMWi, was introduced. The BMW i3 featured an all-electric powertrain and pioneering new technology. Like Manassero, the BMW i3 has established its legacy, with over 250,000 units delivered to customers worldwide.
In 2014, Rory McIlroy secured a thrilling victory at the British Open after an outstanding final round. Despite a seven-shot deficit, he scored a 66 on the last day to claim the win. This victory marked the beginning of an exceptional year for McIlroy, as he also went on to win the Open and US PGA Championship. In 2014, BMW introduced its first plug-in hybrid sports car, the BMW i8. This innovative powerhouse was honoured as Top Gear Magazine’s ‘Global Car of the Year,’ earning it numerous accolades similar to McIlroy’s successes.
In 2015, South Korean Byeong-Hun An, a European Tour rookie, finished with a record-breaking 21-under-par to claim victory. A remarkable five aces were recorded throughout the tournament, making it a memorable event due to this rare achievement. The special edition BMW M4 GTS was also unveiled as the fastest series-production BMW road car ever offered to customers, with record-breaking lap times and remarkable performance. With a boosted output of 500hp, the GTS shaved 30 seconds off the standard BMW M4’s Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time.
In 2019, there were significant highlights. One of the most memorable moments in the tournament occurred when Ross Fisher achieved a remarkable albatross on the 18th hole by sinking a 218-yard second shot with a 4-iron. For this achievement, he won a BMW i8, marking the first albatross of the tournament that week. In 2019, BMW made significant strides by introducing its largest production car, the BMW X7. This luxury SUV combines a spacious, opulent interior, powerful engine options, and advanced technology, perfectly balancing comfort and performance.
In 2021, Billy Horschel became the first American to win since Arnold Palmer in 1975. At the IAA Motor Show in Munich, BMW unveiled the BMW i Vision Circular, designed for 2040. This car is BMW’s vision of a sustainable, luxury vehicle made from 100% recyclable materials, embracing the circular economy concept.
The 2023 BMW PGA Championship television production is a world first for a sporting event, as it is powered 100 per cent by green hydrogen, prioritising sustainability. Last year, BMW also introduced the BMW iX5 Hydrogen pilot fleet, with 100 vehicles deployed internationally for demonstration and trial purposes. BMW plans to launch its first-ever series production fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) in 2028, providing customers with an additional all-electric powertrain option with zero local emissions in a BMW.
The 20th BMW PGA Championship and the third BMW M5 Touring will occur in 2024. The upcoming championship promises fierce competition, a star-studded Pro-Am, and a Championship Village featuring BMW’s latest models, including the all-new third-generation BMW M5 Touring, which will make its UK premiere at Wentworth.
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