The DP World Tour's flagship event takes centre stage this weekend as a stacked field heads to Wentworth Club for the BMW PGA Championship. One of the biggest events outside the majors, the Rolex Series tournament has once again attracted a genuinely world-class field, with Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton and Ludvig Åberg among those chasing one of European golf's most prestigious trophies.
Defending champion Alex Noren returns looking to make it consecutive victories after defeating Adrien Saddier in a playoff 12 months ago. Former champions Ryan Fox, Hatton and Shane Lowry are also back, while two-time winner Billy Horschel is a notable absentee. With plenty of Ryder Cup teammates reunited and a proven championship venue awaiting, this shapes as one of the strongest DP World Tour events of the season.
Check out our preview and betting tips for the event below and if you're keen to tail our tips, consider joining Betfair - a betting exchange that offers the best odds in the country!
BMW PGA Championship Betting Preview
Wentworth Club, Thursday 17 - Sunday 20 September
The Field
McIlroy headlines an outstanding field and returns to an event where he has enjoyed plenty of success throughout his career. Alongside him is Fleetwood, who will make his 15th appearance at Wentworth and should receive enormous support from the English galleries. Rahm is another obvious contender given his exceptional course record, having finished runner-up in 2019 and 2022, fourth in 2023 and T13 last season.
There is significant strength immediately behind the leading names. Åberg returns for his third appearance, while fellow European Ryder Cup star Sepp Straka is also back after missing last year's tournament. Hatton won here in 2020 and remains one of the strongest course fits in the field, while Justin Rose makes a remarkable 21st appearance after adding another PGA TOUR victory to his résumé earlier this year.
Noren will attempt to become the first player since Horschel to successfully defend the title after claiming his second BMW PGA Championship last year, eight years after his first. Ryan Fox is another former champion worth watching after his memorable victory in 2023, when he recovered from an early final-round triple bogey to shoot 67 and defeat Hatton and Aaron Rai by one.
The Course
Wentworth Club's famous West Course provides the setting once again, playing as a par 72 measuring 7,282 yards. Originally designed by Harry Colt before undergoing significant alterations under Ernie Els, it is a classic parkland layout where towering trees frame the fairways and place a premium on controlling the golf ball from tee to green.
Wentworth provides opportunities to score, but positioning is crucial. Its tree-lined corridors can quickly punish wayward driving, while strategically positioned bunkers and water hazards place additional pressure on approach play. Strong iron players have traditionally thrived here, particularly those capable of remaining aggressive without repeatedly finding themselves out of position.
The closing stretch can also produce enormous swings on the leaderboard. The par-5 18th provides a legitimate birdie or eagle opportunity but brings water prominently into play around the green, creating the potential for both spectacular finishes and costly mistakes. With Noren requiring a playoff to defeat Saddier last season, another dramatic Sunday finish would hardly be a surprise.
BMW PGA Championship Best Bets
Rory McIlroy
McIlroy brings the most complete combination of power, approach play and experience in the field and has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to contend at Wentworth. The Northern Irishman has already come agonisingly close to another BMW PGA Championship title, losing the 2024 edition in a playoff to Horschel, and his ability to attack the par 5s while still generating opportunities through his irons makes him the player to beat this week.
Tommy Fleetwood
Few players will have greater motivation than Fleetwood as he returns to home soil for his 15th BMW PGA Championship appearance. His precise ball-striking is ideally suited to Wentworth's tree-lined layout, while his breakthrough PGA TOUR victory and continued success at the highest level have removed any lingering questions about his ability to close tournaments. In front of a huge English following, Fleetwood looks primed for another serious challenge.
BMW PGA Championship Value Bets
Justin Rose
Rose continues to defy age and returns for his 21st appearance at a tournament he would dearly love to add to his résumé. The 46-year-old has already won on the PGA TOUR this season and remains one of the game's premier iron players when everything clicks. His experience around Wentworth is virtually unmatched in this field, making him an appealing option at a bigger price.
Ryan Fox
Fox already knows exactly what it takes to win around Wentworth after capturing the BMW PGA Championship in memorable fashion in 2023. His combination of tremendous length and streaky scoring makes him particularly dangerous on a course where the par 5s need to be attacked, while his Open Championship triumph earlier this season proved he can still produce his best golf against elite fields. At value odds, the former champion has genuine winning upside.
