BMW PGA Championship set to be ‘biggest and best ever’

Wentworth is preparing to host the biggest event in its 101-year history as the BMW PGA Championship returns this week with a world-class field, a star-studded celebrity and entertainment line-up, and an elevated spectator experience.

The famed West Course is undergoing its final preparations for the arrival of the world’s biggest stars, including four-time major winner Rory McIlroy, reigning Masters champion Jon Rahm, newly-crowned FedEx Cup winner Viktor Hovland, and defending champion Shane Lowry,.

Wentworth’s hosting of the BMW PGA Championship – for the 40th successive time and 44th in total – will mark the 102nd European Tour group-sanctioned event to be staged at the prestigious Surrey venue – more than any other by some distance.

Indeed, the club has been marking its glorious history through a five-year Centenary Celebration which began last year, on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Club in 1922 – the original lay-out, the East, was opened in 1924 before the West welcomed its first guests in 1926. The John Jacobs-designed Edinburgh course, meanwhile, was founded in 1990.

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The excitement around the fourth Rolex Series tournament of the DP World Tour season will be further elevated as it comes just two weeks before Europe face the United States in the Ryder Cup at Marco Simone, which itself takes place exactly 70 years after Wentworth hosted the 1953 edition of golf’s storied team event. Captain Luke Donald, as well as his entire team, will tee up for the DP World Tour’s flagship event.

As ever, the BMW PGA Championship will provide a veritable ‘Festival of Golf’ for spectators, with fun for all the family in the Championship Village as well as an improved on-course viewing experience with new grandstands and viewing platforms from which to watch the world’s best in action.

Wednesday’s Celebrity Pro-Am boasts a star-studded line-up that includes legendary footballer Gareth Bale, ‘Spider-Man’ star Tom Holland, and England cricketers Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Harry Brook, and Sir Andrew Strauss.

In the Championship Village, the official tournament charity partner, mental health charity CALM, will be the beneficiaries of the popular Mega Putt Challenge, while there will also be a chipping challenge for spectators to test their skills.

Titleist will be on-site to offer a golf-ball fitting service, while a nearest-the-pin simulator and ‘BMW Long Drive’ challenge are among countless activities guests can enjoy in the village, just a stone’s throw from the grandstand overlooking the 18th green.

Live music will come from Rudimental star DJ Locksmith and Grammy-nominated DJ Jax Jones after the day’s golf is wrapped up on Wednesday and Saturday respectively alongside performances from as-yet-unannounced artists during the day.

Platinum-certified indie band The Wombats will bring the curtain down on the weekend after the final putt has been sunk on Sunday – but the identity of the winner is anyone’s guess with so many greats in action.

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“We could not be more excited for this year’s BMW PGA Championship and it is shaping up to be the biggest and best event our club has hosted in its distinguished history of elite golf tournaments,” said Wentworth’s general manager John Blanch.

“The West Course is perhaps in the best condition it has ever been and is going to provide a firm but fair test for the elite line-up of players, while the spectators will be treated to a better viewing and off-course experience than ever before.

“Our members and staff cannot wait to welcome the famously respectful and knowledgeable British golf fans to our hallowed grounds at Wentworth Club and we hope everyone enjoys a spectacular week of golf.”