DATE: June 21-24, 2012

LOCATION: Golf Club Gut Lärchenhof, Clogne, Germany

European Tour Golf Betting Odds: Many of the greats of European golf have won the title over the years although it was Martin Kaymer's victory in the 20th anniversary edition that sparked the most joyous scenes of celebration as the first home winner of the event. When Martin Kaymer teed off for the first time in the BMW International Open back in 2003, few could have predicted the glittering path his career would take. Then just 18 years of age, the then-amateur received an invitation from BMW to play in his debut professional tournament. Five years on, Kaymer returned to Munich to become the first German to win the BMW International Open in its 20 year history.

Since then, he has climbed all the way to the top of the World Ranking in what seems like the blink of an eye. And when the now 26 year old steps onto the first tee to contest the 23rd edition of the BMW International Open from June 21-24, he will be introduced as a Major champion and global superstar.

A second title win for the World Number One to go with that breakthrough victory in 2008 is far from a foregone conclusion; however, especially the field also includes Dustin Johnson, with whom Kaymer has already fought out some high-pressure matches.

The 2012 BMW International Open will welcome another Major winner in the guise of two-time US Open Champion Retief Goosen of South Africa. Paul Casey of England is another player to have already confirmed his entry at this early stage, and the spectators can also look forward to watching former World Number Two Sergio García of Spain in action at Eichenried.

While Goosen, Casey and García will be looking to record their first victory in the tournament, Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez and Henrik Stenson of Sweden already have their names on the honors board, and the respective winners in 2004 and 2006 have signed up again for this year's event in the hope of repeating the feat.

One of the players to watch this year will be old Matteo Manassero. In October 2010, the Italian became the youngest player to win a European Tour event when he took the Castillo Masters title in Valencia. Manassero will be joined in the field by his compatriot Francesco Molinari, winner of the 2010 WGC-HSBC Champions event, one of the four exclusive tournaments that make up the World Golf Championships. Like Kaymer and Jimenez, the World Number 15 was a member of Europe's victorious Ryder Cup Team in 2010.

For around a year now, Kaymer has represented the BMW Group as a BMW Golfsport Ambassador, and as such plays his part in BMW's far-reaching commitment to golf. BMW is the only brand to be involved in the US PGA Tour (BMW Championship), The European Tour (BMW PGA Championship, BMW International Open, BMW Italian Open) and The Ryder Cup. This commitment, together with its more than 20 Official Car partnerships around the world, makes BMW one of the most important global players in golf.

2011 BMW International Open Winner - Open spot eases pain for Garcia

Sergio Garcia will extend his run of Major appearances to 49 after earning a place in next month's British Open despite losing a play-off to compatriot Pablo Larrazabal in the BMW International Open in Munich yesterday.

The pair had turned the final round into an all-Spanish shootout, ending regulation play locked at 16-under par and with both posting final-round 68s on the Nord Eichenried course.

Larrazabal, who dedicated the win to his 88-year-old grandfather who passed away last week, prevailed at the fifth extra hole with a birdie to Garcia's par to win for only a second time on Tour and nearly three years after his 2008 French Open success. The Barcelona-born son of a fisherman had stunned Colin Montgomerie in winning that French Open title and he has now denied Garcia a first European Tour success in three years.

The 2012 BMW International Open is loaded with talent this year with several of the top players in the world on hand and should be an exciting event from start to finish.