BMW Masters: Grand opening on 18th green

Shanghai. The countdown is on to the start of the 2013 BMW Masters. On the eve of the traditional Pro-Am, world number six Rory McIlroy (NIR) and Chinese Olympian Xu Lijia to delight spectators and dignitaries in Shanghai. 2012 runner-up McIlroy hit the symbolic opening shot of the tournament week to trigger a spectacular laser show, which thrilled defending champion Peter Hanson (SWE) and guests in the Fairway Club.

The BMW Masters trophy enjoyed an appropriately grand entrance: Xu Lijia boarded her Laser yacht to transport the coveted trophy over the lake to the 18th green. The BMW Brand Ambassador won gold in the Laser Radial class at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, and has since become one of the biggest sports stars in China.

Between Thursday and Sunday, 78 players from 23 countries will do battle for the trophy and a share of the total prize fund of 7 million US dollars. The illustrious field includes seven Major winners, four former world number ones, and 60 winners of European Tour events with 271 victories between them.