BMW PGA Championship 2026 Preview: Everything You Need To Know
The BMW PGA Championship is one of the flagship events on the DP World Tour calendar and forms part of the prestigious Rolex Series.
The 2026 edition brings another strong international field to Surrey, with former champions, major winners and leading Ryder Cup players all set to compete.
Defending champion Alex Noren returns to the West Course after beating Adrien Saddier in a playoff last year, while Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry and Viktor Hovland are among the headline names in the field.
If you want the key dates, course details, prize money and leading names to watch, read on for everything you need to know before the tournament gets under way.
When Is The BMW PGA Championship 2026?
The BMW PGA Championship 2026 takes place from Thursday 17th September to Sunday 20th September at Wentworth Club. The competitive tournament runs over four rounds, with a practice day on Tuesday 15th September and the Celebrity Pro-Am on Wednesday 16th September.
The opening two rounds will use a two-tee start, with players going off the first and ninth holes. The third and fourth rounds will then be played from the first tee, with the cut made after the second round.
The BMW PGA Championship is the third Rolex Series event of the 2026 DP World Tour season. The tournament also carries 8,000 Race to Dubai points and 2,000 Ryder Cup points, giving the week importance beyond the championship itself.
Where Is The BMW PGA Championship Held?
The Championship is held at Wentworth Club in Virginia Water, Surrey, on the West Course. The club sits on a large estate just outside London and has been associated with major professional golf for decades. Wentworth Club was founded in 1922, while Harry Colt designed the West Course in 1927.
The West Course is a tree-lined par-72 layout measuring around 7,267 yards for the 2026 Championship. Its narrow fairways, mature woodland, bunkers and demanding green complexes place a premium on accuracy and strategic course management. The course was modernised by Ernie Els in 2009 and subsequently renovated in consultation with Ernie Els Design in 2016.
The finish is particularly well known. The 17th and 18th are both par fives, creating opportunities for birdies but also leaving room for costly mistakes. The 18th features water around the approach and green, making it one of the most recognisable finishing holes on the DP World Tour.
Although the tournament was established in 1955, Wentworth has been its home since 1984. The venue has also hosted the Ryder Cup, the World Match Play Championship and numerous other major events, helping establish its place in British golf history.
What Is The Purse For The BMW PGA Championship?
The 2026 BMW PGA Championship has a US$9 million prize fund, reported in UK coverage as approximately £6.6 million. As a Rolex Series event, it is one of the most valuable tournaments on the regular DP World Tour schedule.
The tournament also offers 8,000 Race to Dubai Ranking points, including 1,335 points for the winner, as well as 2,000 Ryder Cup points. Those ranking points can have a significant impact on the season-long Race to Dubai standings as the DP World Tour enters the latter part of its calendar.
For comparison, defending champion Alex Noren received £1.13 million after winning the 2025 Championship, when he defeated Adrien Saddier in a playoff. The exact 2026 payout will depend on the official prize-money distribution for this year’s event.
Who Is Playing at the BMW PGA Championship 2026?
The 2026 field features a mixture of former champions, major winners and leading players from the DP World Tour, PGA Tour and LIV Golf.
Rory McIlroy headlines the field alongside Jon Rahm, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Shane Lowry, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton, Ludvig Ã…berg, Robert MacIntyre and Sepp Straka.
Defending champion Alex Noren is back to defend his title, while other former BMW PGA Championship winners include McIlroy, Lowry, Hatton and two-time champion Billy Horschel. Recent major winners Ryan Fox and Aaron Rai are also scheduled to compete.
The field also includes Patrick Reed, who entered the week leading the Race to Dubai standings, as well as major champions including Brooks Koepka and JJ Spaun. Several players from Europe’s 2025 Ryder Cup-winning team are also competing, adding another layer of interest to the event.
Who Are Favourites To Win The BMW PGA Championship?
The pre-tournament betting market has Rory McIlroy among the shortest-priced players. McIlroy has a particularly notable record at Wentworth. The 2014 champion has recorded six further top-10 finishes at the venue, including three runner-up finishes.
Other players attracting attention include Fleetwood, Fitzpatrick, Hovland, Ã…berg, Lowry, Patrick Reed and Tyrrell Hatton. Lowry arrives after winning the Amgen Irish Open by 11 shots, while Reed leads the Race to Dubai standings heading into the week.
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