BMW PGA Championship 2025 Preview, Picks & Analysis

A truly international star-studded field will tee it up at Wentworth this week for the BMW PGA Championship, with Tommy Fleetwood guaranteed a hero’s welcome home after winning the Tour Championship.

The Englishman has now climbed to sixth in the world rankings after finally ending his drought on the PGA Tour. There were two heartbreaking near-misses at the Travelers Championship, when he was beaten by US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley, and at the FedEx St Jude, where he eventually finished third in a tournament that was won by Justin Rose.

But he refused to give up and won the Tour Championship in style, holing the winning putt with almost the entire gallery chanting his name and Rose, Shane Lowry and Harry Hall cheering him on from the sidelines. With the monkey off his back and the joy of victory still fresh in his mind, I expect another big week from Fleetwood.

And boy will he have to be at the top of his game this week if he is to have any chance of adding another title to his CV.

The field includes every member of Europe’s Ryder Cup team apart from Sepp Straka, whose wife recently gave birth to a premature baby.

Rory McIlroy, Rose, Jon Rahm, Hideki Matsuyama, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Corey Conners, Tyrrell Hatton, Patrick Reed, Lowry, Viktor Hovland, Robert MacIntyre, Rasmus Hojgaard, Nicolai Hojgaard, Adam Scott, Alex Noren, Hall, Ludvig Aberg and Billy Horschel are all part of what is a truly world-class gathering.

Twelve months ago America's Horschel held his nerve to beat McIlroy in a thrilling play-off. Horschel, McIlroy and Thriston Lawrence entered a three-way play-off after ending their final rounds on 20 under par.

A bogey from Lawrence on the first hole made it a two-horse race and Horschel wrapped up victory with an eagle.

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

"I'm thrilled and excited for the way I played," Horschel said. "At the same time I'm a little disappointed - Rory is a great friend of mine and he's a generational talent. I know how close he's been this year so I can feel for him. I needed a bit of luck. There was a lot of luck on my side to get this victory today."

It was the second time Horschel had won the PGA Championship, having also come out on top at Wentworth in 2021. He is back to defend his title in what will be his first competitive outing since undergoing hip surgery in April.

Hovland will be making his fifth appearance, having finished fifth in 2022 and 2023. The 27-year-old will make a welcome return to the West Course having missed last year’s edition of the event due to a wrist injury.

"I’m looking forward to getting back to Wentworth - it was disappointing to miss last year, because the event has become a real highlight of my schedule," said Hovland. "My last two performances were positive, so I’m hoping to back those up."

The Hojgaards have had a strong summer so far, both finishing inside the Top 20 at The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush. Like Hovland, Nicolai will be making his fifth appearance at the BMW PGA Championship, with Rasmus making his sixth.

Nicolai’s last victory on the DP World Tour came hot on the heels of his 2023 Ryder Cup debut, at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, which saw him earn dual membership on the PGA Tour.

Rasmus held off the challenge of McIlroy to win his fifth DP World Tour title at last year’s Amgen Irish Open, ultimately finishing the season in second place on the Race to Dubai, joining his twin as a dual member of the PGA Tour for 2025.

"It’ll be great to return to Wentworth later this year as part of an exciting run of events in September." said Rasmus. "I’ve really enjoyed the week since making my first appearance there in 2020, the course is a great test and one we enjoy playing."

Nicolai added: "The BMW PGA Championship is one of the best events of the season. The fans are fantastic and there is a great atmosphere during the whole week. I know it’s an event we all anticipate, so we’re looking forward to getting back there."

Rose will be making his 20th appearance in the historic event, 24 years after making his debut in 2001. The Englishman, who won the US Open at Merion in 2013, is a two-time BMW PGA Championship runner-up and has had another outstanding season, finishing runner-up to McIlroy at The Masters and winning the FedEx St Jude after beating JJ Spaun in a playoff.

He said: "I’m very excited for this landmark appearance at the BMW PGA Championship, I can’t believe it will be my 20th start in the event. We have seen it go from strength to strength over the years and it really is a highlight of our season. There’s no better feeling than playing in front of a home crowd."

Rahm has been a model of consistency on the LIV Golf tour. Although he failed to win an individual title in 2025 he has not finished outside the top 10 in any LIV event since his much-publicised defection. He had a disappointing season in the majors and will be looking for confidence-boosting performance ahead of the Ryder Cup.

MacIntyre recorded his best finish at the BMW PGA Championship last season, finishing in a share of 12th. "I’ve not missed a BMW PGA Championship since I joined the DP World Tour in 2019 and it’s a tournament I’ve always enjoyed playing in," said the Scot. "It’s one of those events you always want to be a part of and Wentworth is a great test. I’m looking forward to going back." Although he has not won in 2025, he finished second at the US Open and is playing some wonderful golf. He gave Scottie Scheffler a run for his money at the BMW Championship and was bitterly disappointed with his play in the final round. I expect him to finish on top of the pile this week.

UK rock band Razorlight are the Saturday headline act on the Showstage, with singer-songwriter Ella Henderson bringing down the curtain on the week on Sunday.

The star-studded Wednesday Celebrity Pro-Am will bring together celebrities from sports and entertainment with some of golf’s most famous players in the traditional fun-filled curtain raiser to the main event. Andy Murray, Gareth Bale, Ben Stokes and Lando Norris are among those confirmed for the event on Wednesday.

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 and last year by Billy Horschel, in 2022 by Shane Lowry and in 2023 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 now established himself as one of the best players on the planet and will have tremendous support at Wentworth. This is a tournament he wants to win and he is a man in form.

Prize Money:

Total prize money is $9m, with 8,000 Race to Dubai points going to the winner.

How to Watch:

Thursday, September 11, Sky Sports Golf, 8.30am; Friday, September 12, Sky Sports Golf, 8.30am; Saturday, September 13, Sky Sports Golf, 8.30am; Sunday, September 14, Sky Sports Golf, 8.30am.

To Win:

Robert MacIntyre. A man inspired

Each Way:

Justin Rose. Has rediscovered his very best form

Each Way:

Rory McIlroy. Came so close 12 months ago

Five to Follow:

Robert MacIntyre. Fabulous short game

Justin Rose. One of the good guys

Rory McIlroy. Looking for his best ahead of the Ryder Cup

Shane Lowry. Would love to win here again

Billy Horschel. Coming back from injury

Five Outsiders to Watch:

Tom Lewis. Fighting for his future

Wilco Nienaber. Prodigious ball striker

Padraig Harrington. Still believes he can compete at this level

Luke Donald. Will be keeping an eye on his Ryder Cup players

Francesco Molinari. Still an excellent ball striker