What are the chances of calling your shot and actually doing it? Australian golfer Daniel Gale managed just that at the BMW Australian PGA Championship — and walked away with a brand-new BMW M5 Touring to prove it. But here's where it gets even more unbelievable: he literally predicted it beforehand.
Brisbane/Munich – The 2025/26 DP World Tour couldn’t have asked for a more thrilling start. During the opening round of the BMW Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland Golf Club in Brisbane, not one but two players scored holes-in-one. Yet, it was Daniel Gale’s ace on the 11th hole (Par 3) that stole the spotlight. Why? Because that’s the designated Hole-in-One prize hole — and BMW had put up its latest M5 Touring as the reward. The powerful, newly launched model merges the thrilling performance of a sports car with the practicality of a daily driver, making it the ultimate prize for any golfer.
Gale, already a three-time champion on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia, achieved his ace on the 154-meter 11th hole using an 8-iron. After the round, the 29-year-old was still in awe, sharing his almost prophetic comment: “I played the pro-am and told everyone, ‘this baby’s mine.’ And then it actually happened! It started as a clean draw, rode the wind perfectly, and rolled right in at the ideal speed.”
Meanwhile, another player made history too. New Zealand’s Kazuma Kobori nailed the first ace of the new tour season on the 17th hole. Although his spectacular shot didn’t earn him a BMW, it propelled him into the lead heading into the weekend rounds. Gale currently sits tied for 18th place alongside major champion and former world number one Adam Scott — a pairing that adds even more excitement to the leaderboard.
This marks BMW’s second year as the title sponsor of the BMW PGA Australian Championship, solidifying its growing influence in the world of golf. The event joins a prestigious global lineup that includes the BMW PGA Championship in London, the BMW International Open in Munich, the BMW Championship on the U.S. PGA TOUR, and the BMW Ladies Championship in South Korea. Once again, some of the sport’s biggest names have descended on Brisbane, including BMW Australia ambassadors Min Woo Lee and Elvis Smylie — both with memorable wins here: Lee in 2023 and Smylie in 2024.
More than just a car – a performance icon
The BMW M5 Touring represents the perfect merge of adrenaline and everyday practicality. With enough room for full sets of golf gear and the heart of a high-performance machine, it challenges what a sports car can be. Its energy consumption figures — 2.0 l/100 km (141.2 mpg imp) combined with 30.7 kWh/100 km, producing 46 g/km of CO2 — underline its technological sophistication. Even with its battery discharged, it maintains solid efficiency at 10.9 l/100 km (25.9 mpg imp), placing it in CO2 class B under combined weighting.
But beyond technical data, this car’s real statement lies in its philosophy: blending speed, precision, and sustainability into one machine. It’s a symbol of where high-performance mobility is heading — and Gale’s unforgettable ace became the headline-worthy moment that proved it.
A closer look at BMW’s global golf legacy
BMW has built a strong presence across four continents through its premier golf partnerships. Its involvement in tournaments like the BMW PGA Championship and the BMW International Open reflects the brand’s lasting commitment to sporting excellence. The BMW Championship on the PGA TOUR continues to draw the top players in North America, while the BMW Ladies Championship cements the brand’s influence on the LPGA stage in Asia.
With each event, BMW elevates not just the competition but also the fan experience. The company’s passion for innovation, both on the road and on the green, unites technology and tradition — a combination that resonates with golfers and car enthusiasts alike.
Environmental footprint and standards
BMW provides transparent CO2 and fuel efficiency data for all vehicles, including the M5 Touring, in compliance with European Regulation VO (EC) 2007/715 and its amendments. These figures, tested under WLTP standards and adjusted where necessary for NEDC comparison, form the basis for carbon-based taxation and vehicle incentives. Detailed insights about efficiency ratings and measurement methods can be found at www.bmw.de/wltp and www.dat.de/co2/.
And this is the part most people miss — BMW’s push for electrified performance isn’t just marketing. It’s part of a measurable, regulated transformation that’s already shaping future mobility.
So, here’s the question to you: Was Gale’s ‘called shot’ pure luck or destiny showing off? And what do you think — should brands like BMW keep rewarding precision with performance cars, or is it time golf prizes moved toward sustainability themes?
