+++ Rory McIlroy (NIR) hoping to win the flagship event on the DP
World Tour for the second time +++ Billy Horschel (USA) eager to
defend title +++ U.S. Open Champion Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG) and world
number five Jon Rahm (ESP) also set to tee off at “Festival of Golf“
+++ BMW PGA Championship 2022 at Wentworth Club from 6th to 11th
September +++
Munich/Wentworth. The BMW PGA Championship is one of
the most prestigious, atmospheric pro golf events in Europe. More than
100,000 spectators come to the Wentworth Club near London each year to
experience the “Festival of Golf”. The tournament with a prize fund of
eight million US dollars has a top-class field once again this year,
headed up by world number three Rory McIlroy. The four-time major
winner is returning to compete on the iconic West Course for the first
time since 2019.
McIlroy won the BMW PGA Championship in 2014 and narrowly missed out
on his second title four years later, when finished runner-up behind
Francesco Molinari. This year, the man from Northern Ireland is one of
the top favourites. McIlroy is in excellent form, as shown by his
second place at the Masters and third place at The Open. “I look
forward to competing at the BMW PGA Championship again,” McIlroy said.
“It’s an event I always love playing – the West Course has been good
to me in the past, and the fans are incredibly supportive.”
Billy Horschel will be making the journey from the USA to defend his
title. The 2014 FedExCup winner came top of the field last year after
an excellent final round (7 under par) and afterwards said that this
victory was a dream come true. Horschel, currently number 14 in the
world rankings, is also in superb form. He won his seventh title on
the PGA TOUR at the Memorial Tournament in June.
McIlroy (2012) and Horschel (2014) have also both won the PGA TOUR
playoff event BMW Championship. Spain’s Jon Rahm (2020) has as well,
but he has not managed to win the BMW PGA Championship as yet. The
world number five is hoping to change that this year, after finishing
second behind England’s Danny Willett in 2019. “I cannot wait to
return to the BMW PGA Championship. It really is an incredible event –
a huge attendance of knowledgeable and supportive fans, a world-class
golf course and it’s a historic championship,” said the Spaniard. “I’m
aiming to bring my best game in September and challenge for the title
once again.”
For the first time since winning the U.S. Open, Matt Fitzpatrick will
contest a tournament in his home country of England. No doubt the
world number ten will be given a suitably enthusiastic reception. The
27-year-old is highly motivated to finally taste success at the
Wentworth Club as well. “I’ve always played well there but never quite
challenged, so I’m hoping with the form that I’m in, I can change that
this year and maybe be there or thereabouts on Sunday afternoon.”
With Tyrrell Hatton and Danny Willett, the BMW PGA Champions of 2020
and 2019 will also be trying to win one of the world's most important
professional golf titles once again in front of their home crowd.