The BMW Championship
Overview
Dates: September 17, 2026 to September 20, 2026
Location: Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey, England
Course: Wentworth (West Course)
Course Par: 72
Course Length: 7267
Prize Purse: $9000000
Last tournament review:
As seasons go, this was one to file under “forget quickly.” Nine rookie winners blew the form book to pieces, and we spent far too many Sundays stranded just outside our pick parameters. The fall will be all about a full data autopsy and some overdue algorithm diagnostics.
We did at least close out the FedExCup run with a pair of T4s from Chris Gotterup and Russell Henley, but the broader story of the year was written elsewhere — mostly in the chaos.
Preview
This week we’ve chosen to skip the Biltmore Championship in Asheville. As an inaugural event, there is no course‑form data available. While we can run comparative calculations based on similar layouts, there simply isn’t enough information to produce a comprehensive analysis.
Instead, we’ve opted to analyse the BMW PGA Championship on the West Course at Wentworth Country Club, just outside London. It’s a data‑rich tournament with a 42‑year history.
The DP World Tour’s crown jewel returns to Wentworth Club in Surrey, with the BMW PGA Championship once again anchoring the September calendar. It’s the Tour’s premier non‑major, a Rolex Series event with a $9 million purse and a field stacked with Ryder Cup pedigree, major champions, and Europe’s biggest names.
Notable Entrants
This year’s field is one of the strongest in recent memory, headlined by global stars, Ryder Cup stalwarts, and recent winners.
Rory McIlroy — Six‑time major champion, seven‑time Race to Dubai winner, and former BMW PGA champion (2014).
Jon Rahm — After the recent LIV bankruptcy announcement, he’ll be keen to secure Ryder Cup points.
Patrick Reed — Leads the Race to Dubai, his pathway back to the PGA TOUR. Always plays well in strong fields.
Tommy Fleetwood — Mr Consistent, with a strong record around the West Course.
Ludvig Åberg — Still a rising star, certain has the ability to eclipse his peers.
Viktor Hovland — Former FedExCup champion, in excellent form.
Tyrrell Hatton — Last English winner (2020).
Matt Fitzpatrick — World No. 4 with three PGA TOUR wins this season.
Shane Lowry — 2022 champion, last weeks Irish Open winner, and a superb Wentworth record.
Robert MacIntyre — Key part of Europe’s recent Ryder Cup success.
Alex Noren — Defending champion and two‑time winner.
Brooks Koepka — Five‑time major champion, slowly finding his feet after exiting LIV.
Wentworth always attracts a world‑class field, but this year’s lineup is particularly deep — Ryder Cup muscle, major winners, and a strong English contingent all converging on the West Course.
Grass Complexes & Course Characteristics
The West Course at Wentworth is one of the most recognisable championship layouts in world golf. Designed by Harry Colt and modernised by Ernie Els, it blends classic heathland architecture with contemporary tournament‑ready conditioning.
Greens: Bentgrass complexes, typically firm and fast, demanding precise iron play and confident putting.
Fairways: Tree‑lined corridors framed by mature pines, oaks, birch, and rhododendrons — accuracy is rewarded.
Bunkering: Strategic Colt bunkers paired with Els’ refinements create demanding angles off the tee.
Rough: Traditionally penal, especially around the greens, placing a premium on ball‑striking.
Length: 7,267 yards, Par 72 — a stern but fair test for elite fields.
Wentworth’s combination of tight driving zones, elevated green complexes, and visually intimidating bunkering makes it one of the DP World Tour’s most complete examinations of tee‑to‑green control.
Designers & Architectural History
Harry Colt — Original architect (1926), known for natural routing and strategic bunkering.
Ernie Els — Led the modernisation, preserving Colt’s principles while updating the course for modern championship play.
Wentworth has hosted:
The 1953 Ryder Cup
The World Match Play Championship
The BMW PGA Championship since 1984
It remains the spiritual home of the DP World Tour.
Previous Winners
The BMW PGA Championship has one of the richest winner’s rolls in European golf.
Alex Noren — 2025 & 2017 champion (defending).
Tyrrell Hatton — 2020 champion.
Danny Willett — 2019 champion.
Shane Lowry — 2022 champion.
Billy Horschel — Former champion.
Sir Nick Faldo — Four‑time winner (record).
Seve Ballesteros, Colin Montgomerie, Bernhard Langer, Luke Donald — Multiple‑time champions.
The event’s history is a who’s‑who of European golf royalty.
Storylines to Watch
Rory McIlroy’s return to a venue he’s previously conquered.
Shane Lowry’s comfort level, backed by a decade of strong finishes.
Matt Fitzpatrick’s push to become the first English winner since Hatton.
Alex Noren’s title defence, having mastered Wentworth twice.
A Ryder Cup‑flavoured field, with McIlroy, Åberg, Fleetwood, Fitzpatrick, Lowry, MacIntyre and others carrying team‑room momentum.
Wentworth always delivers theatre — tight fairways, dramatic closing holes, and a leaderboard packed with elite ball‑strikers.
Headline Pick
Joaquín Niemann — 4 units win +1750, 4 units top 10 +185