The BMW PGA Championship is back for another thrilling instalment, returning once again to the iconic Wentworth Club from 17-22 September.
Outside of The Open Championship — when it’s hosted in England — the BMW is the most coveted event on home soil, with the prestigious event consistently welcoming some of the biggest names in golf.
A favourite among players and fans alike, the stunning Surrey parkland course delivers sell-out crowds, a superb atmosphere and exceptional golf — and this year promises to be no different.
Wentworth Club
Set in the lush Surrey countryside, Wentworth’s West Course is well-known to many. While its challenging design demands patience and precision, risk can often be repaid with reward.
The par-72 layout stretches 7,627 yards, and its signature holes, such as the par-5 18th, perfectly epitomise the risk-reward approach. A nervy tee shot requires a left-to-right shape, and if you’re to attack it in two, you’ll need to take a Tiger line over the trees. After successfully navigating this, you’re left with a tight approach into a well-protected green, including a right-side bunker and stream that separates the fairway from the apron. It’s all good in practice, but it’ll take some nerve on the Sunday.
Originally designed by Harry Colt in the 1920s and later reimagined by Ernie Els, the West Course defends itself with tight, tree-lined fairways, undulating greens, and strategic bunkering. Add that to the pressure of competing at the highest level, and you’ve got a highly demanding course that requires a mental game of chess if you’re to emerge victorious.
Players to watch
The present crop of talent vying for the 2024 BMW PGA Championship title is as strong as ever, so, let’s take a look at the key players who could seriously contend this year.
Rory McIlroy
Whenever Rory tees it up, the spotlight follows.
The former BMW PGA champion (2014) comes into this year’s tournament with a mixed bag of form. Despite wins at the Zurich Classic (with Shane Lowry) and the Wells Fargo, the Northern Irishman has dealt with his fair share of disappointment this year — most recently at the Amgen Irish Open. The 35-year-old failed to capitalise after three-putting on the 17th and watching his eagle putt — to force a playoff — glide over the side of the hole.
There’s no doubt he’ll have a point to prove after last week, and he’ll be keen to do it on familiar territory.
Tommy Fleetwood
Fleetwood has long been touted as a future major winner, and while that breakthrough has yet to happen, his form has been trending upward.
Although without a win this season, the Olympic silver medalist finished a respectable 20th in the Tour Championship, alongside four top-10s on the PGA Tour. Currently 12th in the Race to Dubai Rankings, the 33-year-old will be sure to draw a crowd of committed fans, and his affinity for Wentworth’s layout makes the World No. 12 a strong contender.
Justin Rose
Rose is no stranger to success at Wentworth. The Englishman — a former US Open champion and Ryder Cup stalwart — came out on top in 2014, and carries a wealth of experience on the West Course.
The 44-year-old is still looking for his first win of the season but isn’t without some impressive performances. The Olympic gold medalist secured a T2 finish at The Open Championship and T6 at the PGA Championship.
Speaking in a press conference today, Rose expressed his desire to claim a second BMW PGA Championship this week: “This one a little closer to home, means a lot… outside of the majors, I couldn’t really think of an event I’d love to win more than this one.”
Though he may be disappointed with a lack of consistency, Rose will be determined to perform back in front of a home crowd.
Billy Horschel
Horschel’s victory in 2021 was a masterclass in strategic golf, never overreaching and always staying patient. Coming back to Wentworth as a former winner, Horschel has the game to be a factor again.
The 37-year-old has had a good season so far. With a PGA Tour victory at the Corales Puntacana Championship and a solid T2 at The Open Championship, he’ll be hoping to make his trip to England worthwhile.
His soft spot for old Blighty has seemingly seen him adopted by the British fans and, as one of the few Americans making the trip over the pond, he’ll be sure to garner solid support during the week. His cool demeanour under pressure is a perfect match for the demands of the BMW PGA Championship, and as such, you can never quite count him out.
Ryan Fox
The defending champion, Ryan Fox, enters the tournament with a target on his back. His gritty performance in 2023 cemented his place among the elite, and a return to the place of his last success may give him the boost to retain his title. The question is whether he can handle the weight of expectations and maintain the same high level of play he showed last year.
The New Zealander struggled to transition to the PGA Tour, posting only three top 10s this season. Speaking in a press conference today, the 37-year-old spoke of his difficulties in the States:
“It’s definitely been tough. It’s probably been a bit more of a grind than I expected. I’ve been on the road for 30 weeks. By the time I got home after the Wyndham Championship, I’d only had a total of four weeks at home this year. So it was very tough in that regard.”
That being said, playing back on the DP World Tour might kick-start a late run of form and restore some confidence in his game.
Matteo Manassero: The dark horse
In a field packed with superstars, Matteo Manassero stands out as a wildcard. The Italian prodigy burst onto the scene as a teenager, becoming the youngest-ever winner of the BMW PGA Championship in 2013.
Since then, his career has seen ups and downs, but recent flashes of form — most recently at the Irish Open — suggest that Manassero could be a surprise victor once again. Having matured into a well-oiled golfer with new-found consistency, he could very well channel the magic of 2013 and pull off yet another remarkable triumph.
Everything to play for
The BMW PGA Championship is more than just a “standard” tournament. With the 2025 Ryder Cup looming, this event serves as a key marker for form and momentum. Players like McIlroy, Fleetwood, and Rose will be eager to sharpen their games and make a statement, while others look to break into that coveted European team.
With an elite field, a challenging course, and the Ryder Cup in sight, the stakes couldn’t be higher this week. Whether it’s a former champion reclaiming their throne or a dark horse rewriting the script, this year’s tournament promises to deliver an exceptional week of golf.
