October 08-11
Wentworth Club, Surrey, England
$7,000,000
Round 2, Round 3, Round 4

Tyrrell Hatton enjoyed a happy homecoming in his first round on British soil in 2020 with an opening round of 66 for a share of the lead with Adri Arnaus and Justin Harding in the BMW PGA Championship, the third Rolex Series event of the 2020 Race to Dubai.

The 28-year-old Englishman carded an eagle and five birdies, including one at the eighth – his final hole – en route to a six under par round as he chases a third Rolex Series title.

“Obviously it was tough this morning, and I hit a few poor shots, but the key thing was I recovered really well. I followed it up with a really good shot. That kind of kept momentum going. It was easy to make mistakes out there this morning, so I'm very happy with my round.

“I think for me, I just feel pretty comfortable out on the golf course. I've been around it so many times now, so kind of almost has that home course feel and you just feel like you know it so well. Yeah, it was a nice start today and hopefully I can keep that going the next few days.

“It would be special (to win the BMW PGA Championship). This is a tournament I've been coming to since I was five years old. To lift the trophy here is a goal of mine in my career, and hopefully I can play well the next few days and give myself a chance to do that.”

The World Number 15 was joined at the summit by South African Harding and Spaniard Arnaus, both of whom enjoyed flawless six under rounds in the more favourable afternoon conditions.

“It's always good news when you're not adding any strokes to your scoreboard, so yeah, very, very pleased with how I played," said Arnaus. "I was very on point from tee, hitting on to the green and then I rolled some putts. So enjoyed it a lot, my first competitive round around here, and it was very, very fun.

“The course is definitely playing a bit longer, I would say because it's a touch wet but it's the only way I've seen it, so I don't know how it was playing the other years. They have told me it was running much more on the greens a bit firmer. Just a matter of putting it in place and then attacking from there.”

Four players sit a shot off the pace, including reigning Open Champion Shane Lowry who continued his strong form on Wentworth's West Course by opening with a five under 67 which comprised five birdies and a bogey in his final six holes.

The Irishman shares fourth place with former Ryder Cup player Matt Fitzpatrick, his English compatriot Eddie Pepperell and Malaysia's Gavin Green. Aaron Rai, who won his maiden Rolex Series title at last week's Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open, and former World Number One Justin Rose were among those players a shot further back on four under.

“I'm really pleased," said Rai. "It's been a different build up over the last few days to this event after last week, so it was nice to get started on the course and get off to a good start.

“I think for success on any style of golf course, there are a lot of things you've got going right in your game, and that can be taken forward to any week, such as the short game, good putting. I think strategy on the Monday and Tuesday, learning the course, is imperative to play well this week and prepare for these kind of conditions. It was nice just to be able to put it all together today.

“For me it was important to get here on Monday and Tuesday to practise exactly how I normally would. I think it was more to show myself, really, that I'm here to try and perform as well as possible on this given week, regardless of what had happened on Sunday at the Scottish. To be in contention, to have a good result and to win an event is an incredible thing to take forward to this week and for the rest of the year.”