BMW PGA Championship 2022 with Rory McIlroy, Billy Horschel, Matt Fitzpatrick and Jon Rahm.

The BMW PGA Championship is one of the most prestigious, atmospheric pro golf events in Europe. More than 100,000 spectators come to the Wentworth Club near London each year to experience the “Festival of Golf”. The tournament with a prize fund of eight million US dollars has a top-class field once again this year, headed up by world number three Rory McIlroy. The four-time major winner is returning to compete on the iconic West Course for the first time since 2019.

Previous tournament winners in the field at the BMW PGA Championship

McIlroy won the BMW PGA Championship in 2014 and narrowly missed out on his second title four years later, when finished runner-up behind Francesco Molinari. This year, the man from Northern Ireland is one of the top favourites. McIlroy is in excellent form, as shown by his second place at the Masters and third place at The Open. “I look forward to competing at the BMW PGA Championship again,” McIlroy said. “It’s an event I always love playing – the West Course has been good to me in the past, and the fans are incredibly supportive.”

Billy Horschel will be making the journey from the USA to defend his title. The 2014 FedExCup winner came top of the field last year after an excellent final round (7 under par) and afterwards said that this victory was a dream come true. Horschel, currently number 14 in the world rankings, is also in superb form. He won his seventh title on the PGA TOUR at the Memorial Tournament in June.

McIlroy (2012) and Horschel (2014) have also both won the PGA TOUR playoff event BMW Championship. Spain’s Jon Rahm (2020) has as well, but he has not managed to win the BMW PGA Championship as yet. The world number five is hoping to change that this year, after finishing second behind England’s Danny Willett in 2019. “I cannot wait to return to the BMW PGA Championship. It really is an incredible event – a huge attendance of knowledgeable and supportive fans, a world-class golf course and it’s a historic championship,” said the Spaniard. “I’m aiming to bring my best game in September and challenge for the title once again.”

For the first time since winning the U.S. Open, Matt Fitzpatrick will contest a tournament in his home country of England. No doubt the world number ten will be given a suitably enthusiastic reception. The 27-year-old is highly motivated to finally taste success at the Wentworth Club as well. “I’ve always played well there but never quite challenged, so I’m hoping with the form that I’m in, I can change that this year and maybe be there or thereabouts on Sunday afternoon.”

With Tyrrell Hatton and Danny Willett, the BMW PGA Champions of 2020 and 2019 will also be trying to win one of the world’s most important professional golf titles once again in front of their home crowd.