The storied fairways of Wentworth Club in Surrey have come alive this week as the 71st edition of the BMW PGA Championship unfolds, drawing one of the most star-studded fields in recent memory. As the flagship event of the DP World Tour, this Rolex Series tournament is not just a battle for a prestigious trophy and a hefty £1.2 million winner’s share from a £7 million purse—it’s also a proving ground for Europe’s elite ahead of the imminent Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.
From Thursday, September 11 through Sunday, September 14, the West Course—a par 72 stretching to 7,267 yards and famed for its dramatic back-to-back par 5 finish—has hosted a veritable who’s who of world golf. Fans have been treated to early-morning tee times, with live broadcasts on Sky Sports Golf and rolling updates on talkSPORT, ensuring not a moment of action is missed.
Leading the charge is Rory McIlroy, who’s fresh off a thrilling victory at the Irish Open just last weekend. McIlroy’s triumph—sealing the deal with an eagle on the final hole before clinching the playoff—has only added to his momentum as he eyes a record seventh Race to Dubai title. With a commanding lead in the season-long standings, the Northern Irishman has looked to keep his foot on the gas at Wentworth, though he’s admitted, "There has been a lot of birdies and there has been quite a lot of good stuff, but just too many of those blue numbers [bogeys and doubles]. It could be a lot, lot better and I feel like I could be right in the mix [to win] with 17 birdies, but just a few too many sloppy things in there. The good stuff is in there, which is a good thing. That's good for a little match-play event couple up in a couple of weeks' time!"
Yet, as ever, the BMW PGA Championship has proven unpredictable. Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka, defending titleholder Billy Horschel, and Ryder Cup debutant Rasmus Hojgaard were among the biggest names to miss the halfway cut. Koepka’s week was a rollercoaster—opening with a 75, rallying with a 68, but ultimately falling short by a single shot. Horschel, too, fought valiantly, his eagle putt on 18 narrowly missing as he carded rounds of 73 and 70, just outside the mark. Rasmus Hojgaard, set to make his Ryder Cup debut, struggled to rounds of 74 and 75, perhaps already casting an eye toward Bethpage Black.
The field was further whittled after the third round, as organizers introduced a rare 54-hole cut due to the high number of players making the weekend. Scotland’s Bob MacIntyre, Alex Fitzpatrick, and Denmark’s Niklas Norgaard were among those to fall victim after Saturday’s play. Norgaard’s consolation was a memorable round alongside McIlroy and Shane Lowry, but a string of five bogeys in seven holes sealed his fate.
While some big names stumbled, others seized the moment. Tommy Fleetwood, a home favorite, electrified the crowd by birdieing the par-5 18th from eight feet to scrape through on the cut line at 2-under par. The eruption of cheers reverberated across Wentworth, a testament to the passion of English golf fans. Fleetwood’s resilience was emblematic of a tournament where fortunes can change in a heartbeat.
At the summit of the leaderboard, Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama has emerged as the man to beat, sitting at 12-under par. Nipping at his heels are Ryder Cup stars Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Aberg, and Justin Rose, all just one shot back. With so many European team members in contention, the event has become a tantalizing preview of the battles to come at Bethpage Black.
“It was a good day's work. Got off to a little bit of a slow start. But the last ten holes was great. Gave myself plenty of opportunities, and it's always nice to see putts going in,” said Tyrrell Hatton, another Ryder Cup stalwart, after a strong round that kept him in the hunt. Hatton’s assessment echoes the sentiment of many in the field—Wentworth rewards patience, precision, and a touch of flair, especially as nerves build ahead of the Ryder Cup.
This year’s field reads like a Ryder Cup dress rehearsal. Team Europe’s automatic qualifiers—McIlroy, Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Robert MacIntyre, Tyrrell Hatton, and Rasmus Hojgaard—are all present, joined by captain’s picks Shane Lowry, Sepp Straka, Ludvig Aberg, Viktor Hovland, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Jon Rahm. Only Sepp Straka is absent, citing personal reasons. Team USA’s Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed have also teed it up, alongside international stars such as Min Woo Lee, Ryan Fox, Si Woo Kim, Joaquin Niemann, Adam Scott, Corey Conners, and Matsuyama.
Yet, the BMW PGA is never just about the Ryder Cup. Recent champions have included Billy Horschel (2024), Ryan Fox (2023), Shane Lowry (2022), and Tyrrell Hatton (2020), each etching their names into the tournament’s rich history. The West Course’s notorious closing stretch has produced countless twists over the years, and with so many contenders packed near the top, another dramatic finish seems inevitable.
For some, the week has been a tune-up for greater battles ahead. European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, who missed the cut after rounds of 72 and 71, admitted, “I hadn't really been working much on my game right now in light of the a certain Ryder Cup match taking place in two weeks.” His focus, like many, is shifting rapidly toward New York and the transatlantic showdown that awaits.
As the final round approaches, all eyes remain fixed on the leaders. Can Matsuyama hold off the Ryder Cup charge? Will McIlroy shake off the bogeys and surge late, or could an underdog emerge from the chasing pack? With the West Course’s perilous finish and the pressure of the season’s biggest prizes on the line, anything is possible.
One thing’s for certain: the 2025 BMW PGA Championship has delivered high drama, heartbreak, and hope in equal measure. As the action continues, fans worldwide are glued to every shot, every twist, and every moment that could define a champion—or set the tone for Ryder Cup glory just around the corner.
