Three-times major winner Ernie Els will return to the scene of his runaway 2005 Shanghai triumph to take part in this year's Asian Open, organisers said on Wednesday.

Els, who won by a huge 13 strokes two years ago, will be joined at the $2.3 million (1.2 million pound) event by fellow South African Retief Goosen, last year's winner Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano of Spain, American John Daly and Colin Montgomerie.

Despite a question mark over the venue for this year, sponsors BMW said the Asian Open would remain at the Tomson Pudong Golf Club for 2008 and would probably stay in one of China's major cities.

"Perfect city, perfect audience, perfect golf club, perfect weather -- the four perfects made us choose Shanghai," BMW spokesman Jochen Goller told a news conference.