6 Players to Watch at the BMW PGA

The stage is set at iconic Wentworth as the crowds return to the BMW PGA Championship, which is set to be a significant week, as Ryder Cup dreams will be made with a prestigious title on the line.

Qualifying for Team Europe concludes at the European Tour's home, while captain Padraig Harrington will announce his three wildcard picks after play concludes. And it would be hard to deny a place to an eligible winner of the flagship tournament.

But who should we be looking out to contend in Surrey? We have taken a glance through the field and identified key names who could make the headlines on Sunday.

Viktor Hovland

The Norwegian star is the favourite among many bookmakers, and it's hard to ignore the 23-year-old, who secured his maiden European Tour victory at the BMW International Open in June. The former U.S. Amateur champion has also won twice on the PGA Tour and will make his Ryder Cup debut at Whistling Straits. 

Ian Poulter

The Ryder Cup legend is all-but ensured of his place in the team, but the vastly experienced Englishman loves home comforts when he makes the journey across the Atlantic, and he would relish a victory in the BMW PGA Championship. The 45-year-old finished in fifth place last season at Wentworth.

Christiaan Bezuidenhout

The South African has been in strong form lately, finishing third at the Korn Ferry Tour Championship, and he has previously enjoyed visits to Surrey. The 27-year-old shot all four rounds in the 60s at the BMW PGA in 2019 and will be looking for a similar performance this week.

Henrik Stenson

If Poulter and Sergio Garcia are likely picks for Padraig Harrington, then it leaves one spot. And it could yet be filled by another veteran in the form of Henrik Stenson. The Champion Golfer of 2016 has been virtually anonymous on leaderboards since the pandemic began; that was until the past month. The Swede contended in the Czech Republic and Switzerland, before a solid finish in Italy. Should he win at Wentworth, then he'll be on that plane to Wisconsin.

Robert MacIntyre

Since a top ten finish at Royal St George's, the Scot has been quiet just when he needed to make noise. The left-hander from Oban knows that it's essential that he makes a winning statement at Wentworth to catch the eye of the European captain, with a Ryder Cup debut a major goal for MacIntyre. Securing the BMW PGA would itself be a significant career move.

Aaron Rai

The 26-year-old Englishman will be preparing for a bid at PGA Tour success in 2022 after recently claiming a card on the Korn Ferry Tour, but success at Wentworth would be another career highlight for last year's Scottish Open champion. 

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