BMW PGA Championship 2024 Preview, Picks & Analysis

Rory McIlroy leads a star-studded field at this week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth as he aims to win the Race to Dubai for a sixth time. And he really could do with a big finish to 2024.

He began the season by successfully defending his Dubai Desert Classic title and also won the Wells Fargo Championship and Zurch Classic in partnership with Shane Lowry. However, his season has been defined by the dramatic collapse that cost him the US Open in June and he has struggled to put that disappointment behind him with another tough loss coming at Royal County Down in last week's Irish Open.

But he enjoys Wentworth. With a victory in 2014 and five further top tens - including two runner-up finishes - to his name, he will join fellow past champions Ryan Fox, Shane Lowry and Billy Horschel at the iconic Surrey venue.

Following a final round 65 to finish in a share of seventh place last season, the 35-year-old went on to inspire Team Europe to a famous victory over Team USA at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, delivering four from a possible five points.

McIlroy then ended the year on top of the Race to Dubai Rankings for the fifth time to once again be crowned European Number One.

"I’ve always enjoyed playing at the BMW PGA Championship, and I’ve had some great results round the West Course in the past," said the 15-time DP World Tour winner. "Wentworth is a place where I would like to add another title."

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

You may remember that golf reduced Horschel to tears after a horror show at The Memorial in 2023. It is to his eternal credit that he has battled back, so much so that he is still smarting after being snubbed by US Presidents Cup captain for next week’s match against The Internationals at Royal Montreal. Horschel loves playing in Britain and will feel that he has a point to prove. He is definitely somebody to keep an eye on this week.

Former world number one Adam Scott will tee it up at the BMW PGA Championship alongside worldwide winners Francesco Molinari, Matthieu Pavon, and Aaron Rai.

Scott, who won The Masters in 2013, returns to Wentworth for the fourth consecutive season.

"Wentworth is always a great stop on the calendar, and returning for the BMW PGA Championship is something I really look forward to," said Scott, an 11-time DP World Tour winner. "The energy from the passionate English fans and the atmosphere combined with a world-class field, makes this Rolex Series event truly stand out."

Molinari kicked off a memorable 2018 with his BMW PGA Championship win, later becoming Italy’s first major winner at The Open Championship at Carnoustie and winning twice on the PGA Tour within 12 months.

The 41-year-old has a strong BMW PGA Championship record, with a runner-up finish and five other top tens. The six-time DP World Tour winner will join Justin Rose as a Playing Captain for the second edition of the Team Cup at Abu Dhabi Golf Resort from January 10-12, 2025. Molinari, who led Continental Europe to victory two years ago, will face his Ryder Cup team-mate, who captains Great Britain & Ireland for the first time.

"I'm looking forward to returning to the BMW PGA Championship. It's always one of the top events on the calendar, with such a strong field and incredible support from the fans at Wentworth," said Molinari. "I have great memories here, and I'm looking forward to another great week around London."

There is sure to be a warm welcome for Englishman Rai, who made it to the Tour Championship after winning the Wyndham. Rai, a Rolex Series champion at the 2020 Scottish Open, has been a dual member since the 2022 season after obtaining a PGA Tour card via the Korn Ferry Tour and had had three top 10s in his previous four starts entering the Wyndham Championship.

"Playing in front of your home fans is always special, and I’m excited to get back to the BMW PGA Championship this summer," said Rai, who finished tied second behind Ryan Fox at Wentworth last season. "“My game is in a good place just now, and I would love to have a great week at Wentworth."

Pavon has enjoyed a fairytale year since his breakthrough victory on the DP World Tour at the Open de Espana in November, going on to earn dual membership on the PGA Tour for 2024.

The Frenchman wasted no time making his mark in the United States, winning the Farmers Insurance Open in January to kick start a year that has included a top five finish at the US Open and a debut Olympic Games appearance on home soil.

"The BMW PGA Championship is a massive event - everything around it, from the field to the fans and the history of the venue makes it a week I always look forward to," said the Frenchman.

Tommy Fleetwood, who enjoyed a second Ryder Cup triumph alongside Matt Fitzpatrick and Rose in Rome, started his year with a seventh DP World Tour title at the Dubai Invitational in January. He continued that form into the first major of the year, finishing tied third at Augusta National and has played consistently well all year. His only disappointment will be the fact that he has yet to land a maiden PGA Tour title.

He returns to the famous Surrey venue for his 13th consecutive appearance at the BMW PGA Championship following his best finish in the event last year.

"Wentworth is always an incredible week, especially for us English players, and I’m excited to play in front of my family and the home crowds at the BMW PGA Championship," he said. "The fans always make it a memorable tournament and that’s why I love playing it."

Fitzpatrick, who claimed his maiden major title at the 2022 US Open and was part of the victorious European Ryder Cup team in Rome last year, will go in search of a 10th DP World Tour title and is relishing the prospect. He said: "The BMW PGA Championship is always a highlight on my calendar. I’ve had a few chances to contend at Wentworth over the years, and as a Rolex Series event, it has grown to create an incredible atmosphere for the players, fans and everyone involved."

Rose, the 2013 US Open champion and 2016 Olympic Gold medallist, had an impressive 2023 season, securing his 11th PGA Tour win and first worldwide title in four years at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February, before celebrating a fourth Ryder Cup victory in Rome.

The Englishman tied sixth at the 2024 US PGA Championship at Valhalla and also contended at The Open.

"English fans are always appreciative of good golf, and they add so much to what is a great week," said Rose. "The BMW PGA Championship is a tournament that I always look forward to returning to and it will be nice to be back at Wentworth with my family and friends."

The BMW PGA Championship attracts more than 100,000 spectators each year, with the world class action inside the ropes complemented by live entertainment on the Showstage, and an unrivalled atmosphere in the vibrant Spectator Village.

The G4D TOUR @ BMW PGA Championship will take place at the start of the week, with some of the best golfers with a disability competing for the penultimate G4D Tour title on the iconic West Course on Monday, September 16 and Tuesday, September 17.

That is followed by the star-studded Wednesday Celebrity Pro-Am which will bring together global celebrities with some of golf’s most famous players in a fun-filled curtain raiser to the main event, the BMW PGA Championship, which tees off on Thursday September 19.

The tournament assumes a key position on the DP World Tour’s 2024 Global Schedule as part of the ‘Back 9’, encompassing nine of the Tour’s most historic tournaments and national opens, running until October. It gives members their final opportunities to secure their playing rights for 2025 and to advance to the season-ending ‘DP World Tour Play-Offs’.

Tournament Winners:

It was won in 2015 by Ben An, in 2016 by Chris Wood, in 2017 by Alex Noren, in 2018 by Francesco Molinari, in 2019 by Danny Willett, in 2020 by Tyrrell Hatton, in 2021 by Billy Horschel, in 2022 by Shane Lowry and last year by Ryan Fox.

The Course:

The West Course at Wentworth is a par 72 measuring 7,282 yards. It was originally designed by Harry Colt and radically remodelled by Ernie Els. It is a true parkland course with huge trees lining every hole. There are also some well-placed water hazards, none more so than the area guarding the 18th green.

Form Guide:

Robert MacIntyre has taken his game to a different level in 2024, winning the Canadian Open and Scottish Open and will have tremendous support at Wentworth. This is a tournament he wants to win and he is a man in form.

To Win:

Robert MacIntyre. A man inspired

Each Way:

Justin Rose. Has rediscovered his very best form

Each Way:

Rory McIlroy. Needs to drive it well to contend

Five to Follow:

Robert MacIntyre. Fabulous short game

Justin Rose. One of the good guys

Rory McIlroy. Former champion, with a good record here

Shane Lowry. Would love to win here again

Billy Horschel. Has enjoyed a fine season

Five Outsiders to Watch:

Jesper Svensson. Looking to turn around a shocking season

Padraig Harrington. Still believes he can compete at this level

Alex Fitzpatrick. Making decent progress

Eddie Pepperell. Showing signs of life

Aaron Cockerill. Has made a lot of cuts in 2024