The BMW PGA Championship returns to Wentworth Club between 17 and 20 September 2026, bringing many of Europe’s leading golfers to Surrey for the DP World Tour’s flagship tournament.
Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Fitzpatrick, Shane Lowry and Robert MacIntyre are among the prominent names expected to compete. Defending champion Alex Noren also returns to the West Course, where he will attempt to win the title for a third time.
The tournament carries a $9 million prize fund and occupies an important position in the Race to Dubai. With only a limited number of high-value events remaining after Wentworth, a strong performance can change a player’s ranking and improve his prospects of reaching the season-ending tournaments.
When Does the BMW PGA Championship Begin?
The competitive rounds take place across four days:
- Thursday 17 September: opening round
- Friday 18 September: second round and the cut
- Saturday 19 September: third round
- Sunday 20 September: final round
Players complete 18 holes each day in a 72-hole stroke-play format. After the second round, the leading 65 golfers and anyone tied for 65th place progress into the weekend.
If two or more players finish level at the top after 72 holes, the title will be settled through a hole-by-hole play-off. Wentworth has produced several close finishes, including the 2025 event, when Noren defeated Adrien Saddier after both completed regulation play on 19 under par.
The course opens to spectators for Tuesday’s practice session, while the Celebrity Pro-Am takes place on Wednesday. The Pro-Am pairs professional golfers with people associated with sport and entertainment before the main competition begins.
Who Is Playing at Wentworth in 2026?
The field contains major champions, Ryder Cup players and several former BMW PGA winners.
McIlroy won at Wentworth in 2014 and has finished second on multiple occasions. His driving gives him the power to attack the closing par fives, although the tree-lined fairways punish shots that move too far off line.
Rahm and Fleetwood are still seeking their first victories in the event. Both have performed well on the West Course, but neither has converted a strong week into the title. Fleetwood’s accuracy and controlled iron play appear well suited to Wentworth, particularly when firm conditions make the fairways difficult to hold.
Lowry won a weather-shortened edition in 2022 and has recorded four additional top-10 finishes at the tournament. His ability to control distance with wedges can become especially valuable around Wentworth’s raised and heavily protected greens.
Fitzpatrick arrives after a successful season in the United States. The Englishman will aim to become the first home winner since Tyrrell Hatton in 2020. Other confirmed British players include Justin Rose, Aaron Rai, MacIntyre and Marco Penge.
Ryan Fox returns as the reigning Open champion and a former Wentworth winner. Noren, meanwhile, won the championship in 2017 and added his second title in 2025.
Billy Horschel will be a notable absentee. The American won in 2021 and 2024, but he has chosen to concentrate on retaining his full PGA Tour status after an injury-affected period and a difficult 2026 campaign.
Why Is the West Course Difficult?
Wentworth’s West Course is a par 72 measuring approximately 7,280 yards for championship play. Harry Colt designed the original layout, which opened in 1926 and reaches its centenary this year. Ernie Els later led extensive changes intended to challenge modern professionals.
Length alone does not define the test. Trees restrict the angles available off the tee, while bunkers narrow several landing areas. A player who misses the fairway may find that the shortest route towards the green is blocked.
The greens also demand precise approach shots. Missing on the wrong side can leave a difficult bunker recovery or a chip played towards a fast downslope. Players must consider the likely location of the next shot rather than simply aiming at every flag.
Wentworth can change considerably according to the weather. Rain softens the greens and allows golfers to attack with longer clubs, but it also makes the course play longer. Dry conditions create more distance off the tee, although the firmer putting surfaces place greater emphasis on spin and trajectory.
How Can the 17th and 18th Holes Decide the Tournament?
The final two holes are both par fives, creating opportunities for large swings on the leaderboard.
At the 17th, players must shape the tee shot around the course’s trees before deciding if the green is reachable in two. An aggressive second shot can create an eagle opportunity, but a poor angle brings bunkers and difficult recovery positions into play.
The 18th climbs towards the clubhouse and a green guarded by water and sand. Long hitters may attempt to reach it with their second shot, particularly when they need a birdie late on Sunday.
The safer option is to lay up and leave a controlled wedge. That choice reduces the chance of a major error but places pressure on the third shot. A player trailing by one may have little reason to be cautious, while the leader must calculate what score is likely to secure the title.
Noren demonstrated the value of that approach in the 2025 play-off. He laid up, struck his wedge close to the hole and converted the short birdie putt that defeated Saddier.
Wentworth Combines Golf With a Larger Event Programme
More than 115,000 spectators are expected across the week following record attendance in 2025. The size of the audience has encouraged organisers to develop an event that continues after the final groups leave the course.
The spectator village contains food, merchandise and viewing areas, while live music is planned across the weekend. The Kooks and Ella Eyre are among the headline performers.
That approach reflects how sports events now compete for a full day of a visitor’s leisure time. Someone who also follows football, concerts, streaming or a live casino can still find activity at Wentworth after the golf finishes, rather than leaving immediately after the final putt.
Hospitality has become another significant part of the tournament. Several premium viewing options have already sold out, including packages around the 18th green. General admission for Saturday has also sold out, with limited availability reported for other tournament days.
What Should Spectators Know Before Attending?
Wentworth Club is located near Virginia Water in Surrey. A free shuttle bus is planned between Virginia Water railway station and the tournament, and spectators are encouraged to use public transport.
The event is cashless, so purchases require a contactless card or mobile payment method. There are water refill points around the site, although visitors should bring their own reusable bottle. Limited public Wi-Fi is available in key spectator areas.
Mobile phones are permitted but must remain on silent near the course. Dedicated cameras can be used during Wednesday’s Pro-Am but are not allowed during the four competitive rounds without accreditation.
Spectators can move around the course outside the ropes and use controlled crossing points. Anyone planning to follow a particular group should wear suitable shoes because the ground is uneven and may become slippery in wet weather.
Why Does the BMW PGA Championship Matter?
The BMW PGA Championship combines a major prize fund with one of the strongest fields on the DP World Tour. Its timing also gives players an opportunity to improve their Race to Dubai position shortly before the final part of the season, reflecting the wider trends explored in our look at how tournaments, course fit and strategy shape the modern game.
Wentworth adds its own tactical character. The closing par fives encourage aggressive golf, but the narrow approaches and protected greens can quickly turn an attempted birdie into a bogey.
A field containing McIlroy, Rahm, Fleetwood, Fitzpatrick, Lowry and several former champions should keep the contest open throughout the week. The result may depend on which player reaches the closing stretch with enough control to attack without giving the tournament away.
Conclusion
The BMW PGA Championship remains one of the defining weeks of the European golfing calendar, blending a world-class field with the demanding character of Wentworth’s West Course. With McIlroy, Rahm, Fleetwood and defending champion Alex Noren all in the mix, the 2026 edition promises drama right through to the closing par fives.
As the Race to Dubai enters its decisive phase, a strong result here could shape the rest of the season. For golf fans, the BMW PGA Championship is far more than a single tournament it is a genuine test of nerve, strategy and skill on one of Europe’s most storied courses.
