Some of the world’s finest golfers will descend upon Wentworth Club in southeast England to vie for glory at the BMW PGA Championship in September. Its $7 million prize purse makes it one of the most lucrative events on the European tour and it always attracts a strong field. Francesco Molinari won it last year after finishing two shots clear of Rory McIlroy, and that gave him the confidence to go on and seize The Open Championship. Both Molinari and McIlroy will be back in 2019, along with a stellar line-up from across the globe, and it promises to be a thrilling tournament.
McIlroy won the BMW PGA Championship in 2014 and he is sure to be the favorite to prevail this year at top rated sports betting sites like Bookmaker. The Northern Irishman has already won the Players Championship and the Canadian Open this year, and he has displayed great consistency to secure many more top-10 finishes. Majors have eluded him in recent years, but he has the ability to blow away the opposition in a tournament like this, on a course that should suit his game well.
“The BMW PGA Championship is always a great event and I’m looking forward to playing in it again, particularly in its new September date,” McIlroy said. “The West Course should be in superb condition and the change in date should also mean an even stronger field. I’ve won at Wentworth before and finished second behind Frankie [Francesco Molinari] last year, so hopefully I can do well again and also get off to a good start in the Ryder Cup qualification.”
The tournament was previously held in May, but it has been moved to September to avoid clashing with a busy time of year in the U.S. That is sure to bring a stronger field than ever to the West Course at Wentworth. American trio Tony Finau, Patrick Reed and Billy Horschel will all make their debuts at the tournament this year. “I always enjoy playing in Britain and the fans are always great, so it will be fun playing in the BMW PGA Championship for the first time,” said former Masters champion Reed. “Wentworth is an iconic venue and its one of the best tournaments on the European Tour, so I’m looking forward to it.”
The Americans will come up against the finest European stars in the business. McIlroy is currently ranked third in the world, while Molinari is sixth. World number four Justin Rose will also take part and the Englishman should benefit from strong home support. There is still time for other big stars to confirm their attendance, and it promises to be a brilliant event.
Wentworth was established in Virginia Water, Surrey, all the way back in 1922. Leading architect Harry Colt designed the West Course, along with such iconic venues as Royal Portrush, Muirfield and Royal Liverpool. It opened in 1926 and Ernie Els modernised and refined it between 2005 and 2007. Since then famous names like Miguel Angel Jimenez, Paul Casey and Luke Donald have triumphed here, but there has not been an American winner since Arnold Palmer in 1975, so the pressure will be on Reed and co to take the trophy home.
For Hoschel, it will be his first appearance on European soil outside The Open and the World Golf Championships. “I won the BMW Championship on the PGA Tour a few years ago and BMW always help put on a great event, so it would be nice to try to win another of their tournaments and get the ‘double’” he said. He is in fine form this year and he certainly has a chance of upsetting the Brits in their own backyard.
