The Rolex Series returns to DP World Tour headquarters as a host of golf's biggest stars tee it up at this week's BMW PGA Championship. Here are your five things to know at Wentworth Club.
Stars align in England
The BMW PGA Championship has long been one of the most prestigious events in world golf and this week's field in Surrey shows just why. Fresh off his record third FedEx Cup victory, World Number Three Rory McIlroy returns to the scene of his 2014 victory, while fellow Major Champion, former World Number One and Ryder Cup star Jon Rahm is also in town. Reigning U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick also tees it up alongside Ryder Cup team-mates Viktor Hovland, Shane Lowry, Tyrrell Hatton and Tommy Fleetwood. Then there is the defending champ...….
Horschel defends
The lure of Wentworth attracted Billy Horschel to cross the Atlantic in 2019 as he finished tied fourth in an event he revealed he had watched since he was a child. He returned two years later and became just the second American to lift the trophy after the great Arnold Palmer, and proved himself a popular champion with the fans. "I love watching their sports over here," he said. "They have a great passion for their teams and their national teams and they really get behind them. So I understand that, I can embrace that, I love that. I think I've just done a really good job of embracing the surroundings and the people, and I think they have taken kindly to me and I appreciate that." He would be a popular winner again this week.
The Rolex Series is back
The Rolex Series made its debut at Wentworth Club five years ago as Alex Noren's closing 62 gave him victory and the premium category of events on the DP World Tour continue to thrill. Hatton - champion here in 2020 - shares the record for Rolex Series wins with four alongside Rahm, while Danny Willett and Francesco Molinari have also won here in the Rolex Series era. McIlroy may have four Major Championships but a Rolex Series win is currently missing from his CV and the Northern Irishman would love to put that right - we are set for a fantastic battle to join the roll of honour.
The Ryder Cup race begins
The race to represent Europe at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club begins this week with points on offer to make Luke Donald's team to take on the United States. The Captain is teeing it up at an event he has won twice for the second of three consecutive appearances on the DP World Tour as he keeps an eye on his potential charges for the biennial spectacular. While six places are on offer via the World and European Points Lists, Donald will also have six Captains Picks, so players will be eager to impress the skipper and his Vice Captains Thomas Bjørn and Edoardo Molinari, who are also in the field this week.
Festival of Golf at Wentworth
𝐈𝐂𝐘𝐌𝐈: Pro-Am Tees, Timings and Groups 🤩#BMWPGA | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/dtbrMd6gTD
— BMW PGA Championship (@BMWPGA) September 6, 2022
Wentworth Club is one of the most storied venues on the DP World Tour and the fans will flood to Surrey this week. The weekend has long been a sell-out and there will be entertainment throughout the week as the practice day and final round of the G4D Tour @ BMW PGA Championship on Tuesday are followed by the star-studded pro-am before the action gets under way. Jax Jones and Razorlight will headline the Slingsby Showstage over the weekend and the fans will also be encouraged to embrace Golf For Good, with CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) appointed as the event's official charity and a host of sustainability initiatives taking place around the course.
