Golf fans in for a treat as Wentworth hosts biggest-ever BMW PGA Championship
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Everything you need to know as Wentworth Club welcomes the biggest-ever BMW PGA Championship and some of the best-known names in golf to its historic Surrey venue.
One of the most famous venues in golf, Wentworth is preparing to host the biggest event in its 101-year history as the BMW PGA Championship returns this week (September 13-17) with a world-class field, a star-studded celebrity and entertainment line-up and an incredible offering for spectators on and off the course.
The famed West Course, one of the best golf courses in England, is undergoing its final preparations for the arrival of the world’s biggest golf stars, including four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy, reigning Masters champion Jon Rahm, recent FedEx Cup winner Viktor Hovland and Shane Lowry, winner of the coveted BMW PGA Championship title 12 months ago. In fact, all 12 members of Team Europe will tee it up in the DP World Tour’s flagship event just two weeks before they attempt to wrestle the Ryder Cup trophy back from the USA in Rome.
Wentworth’s hosting of the BMW PGA Championship, for the 40th successive time and the 44th edition in total, will mark the 102nd European Tour group-sanctioned event to be staged at the prestigious Surrey venue – more than any other venue by some distance.
Indeed, the Wentworth 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 layout, the East, was opened in 1924 before the West welcomed its first guests in 1926, with the John Jacobs-designed Edinburgh course founded in 1990. All three are among the best golf courses in Surrey.
The excitement around the fourth Rolex Series tournament of the DP World Tour season is heightened with the Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Italy almost in touching distance – the biennial match taking place exactly 70 years after Wentworth hosted the 1953 edition of golf’s greatest team 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 including legendary footballer Gareth Bale, Spider-Man star Tom Holland and England cricketers Stuart Broad, Kevin Pietersen, James Anderson, Harry Brook and Sir Andrew Strauss.
In the Championship Village, the official tournament charity partner, mental health charity CALM, will be the beneficiary 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 all-important 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 modern golfing greats in action.
“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 John Blanch, general manager at Wentworth Club.
“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.”
One of the UK’s most iconic and respected golf clubs, Wentworth Club is known as the headquarters of the European Tour group and the ever-present host of the BMW PGA Championship.
The West Course, which was designed by Harry Colt and redesigned in modern times by four-time Major winner Ernie Els, is complemented by three more world-class layouts: the East Course, Edinburgh Course and the nine-hole Executive course.
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About the Author
Rob specializes in the DP World Tour, PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and the Ryder Cup, spending large chunks of his days reading about, writing about, and watching the tours each month.
He’s passionate about the equipment used by professional golfers and is also a font of knowledge when it comes to golf balls, golf trolleys, and golf bags, testing thousands down the years.
Rob uses a Callaway Paradym driver, TaylorMade M5 5-wood, TaylorMade P790 driving iron, Callaway Paradym irons (4-AW), TaylorMade MG3 wedges (52º, 58º), Odyssey Tri-Hot 5k Double Wide putter, and Callaway Chrome Soft X golf ball.
You can email Rob or get in touch with him on Twitter.
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Wentworth Club is ready to host the biggest-ever BMW PGA Championship.
