General / Editor / 10 April 2007 / Leave a Comment

Ernie Els and defending champion Henrik Stenson are the latest players to announce they will play in the BMW International Open 2007.

There is a €2million prize fund on offer for the event that will take place at Golfclub München Nord-Eichenried in mid-June.

Sweden's Stenson secured victory in last September's tournament with a sensational eagle three at the first play-off hole to beat South African Retief Goosen and Ireland's Padraig Harrington.

Organisers are delighted that this season's Dubai Desert Classic and Accenture World Match Play champion will be defending his title in what is set to be a strong field.

Stenson will be up against five other past winners - Colin Montgomerie, Thomas Björn, John Daly, Miguel Angel Jiménez and England's David Howell.

Other leading contenders for this season's title include the likes of England's Paul Casey whilst there is likely to be plenty of home support from the Munich public for Bernhard Langer and Marcel Siem.

Before the BMW International Open, however, Els will be competing at the Verizon Heritage competition at the Harbour Town Golf Links, South Carolina, where he is trading at 15.5 behind the favourite, Jim Furyk, at 11.5.

Recently-crowned US Masters winner, Zach Johnson, is available at 42 to continue his good run and claim glory.