The Rolex Series returns as the Back 9 arrives at Wentworth Club for the BMW PGA Championship. Here are your five things to know.
All to Play For on the biggest stage
DP World Tour events don't come much bigger than the BMW PGA Championship but there is more to play for this week than just one of the most storied titles on the schedule. With the Rolex Series comes a US$9million prize fund, with 8,000 Race to Dubai points and 2,000 Ryder Cup points up for grabs. There are 1,335 Race to Dubai points available to the winner, meaning this week could play a major role in deciding who is crowned Europe's Number One. Patrick Reed has now been top of the Race to Dubai Rankings Delivered by DP World for 31 weeks but any of the top five could take his place with a win. The first two days at Wentworth Club will also have a slightly different feel this week, with a two-tee start confirmed for rounds one and two.
Noren defends
Alex Noren won the first ever Rolex Series event at Wentworth in 2017 and last year he came full circle to win the ninth Rolex Series edition of the BMW PGA Championship. Noren and Frenchman Adrien Saddier went into the final round locked together at the top of the leaderboard and with nothing to separate the pair after a thrilling back-nine battle, a play-off was required to pick a winner. After both players sent their second shots into the rough just shy of the water at the first extra hole, they were neck and neck once again. But the in-form Swede managed to lift his ball to three feet before tapping in the birdie putt to claim his 12th DP World Tour title and second of the season. "So many emotions right now," he said. "In the play-off it felt maybe a little bit easier than coming down the 72nd hole - a little bit better conditions. I thought I hit my approach (in the play-off) in the water but I had a great lie so I tried to put it up here on the right side of the green and then got fortunate with a good break. The chip was sitting quite nicely. I saw his ball didn't catch as nice of a break maybe. So it makes a difference."
World-class field
This event has long attracted one of the strongest fields of the season and 2026 is no exception. Topping the bill is World Number Two Rory McIlroy and he is joined by his closest challengers in the hunt for the Harry Vardon Trophy with Reed in action alongside fellow multiple winners in 2026 Jayden Schaper, Casey Jarvis and Eugenio Chacarra. Swing winners Mikael Lindberg and Scott Jamieson are in action, as is Filippo Celli, who earned his place in the field via the Closing Swing. Open Champion Ryan Fox and US PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai are also in action alongside fellow Major winners JJ Spaun, Brooks Koepka and Danny Willett, while there is also another cohort of big names present........
Ryder Cup stars set to shine
The opening round of this week's event coincides with one year to go until the 2027 Ryder Cup and McIlroy is one of 11 players from the victorious 2025 side teeing it up this week. Matt Fitzpatrick, Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, Robert MacIntyre, Justin Rose, Shane Lowry, Sepp Straka, Ludvig Åberg, Viktor Hovland and Tommy Fleetwood are also in action alongside captain Luke Donald and vice captains Francesco Molinari and Pádraig Harrington. They arrive fresh off a trip to Adare Manor which was also attended by Chacarra, Alex Fitzpatrick, Kristoffer Reitan and Angel Ayora. The countdown is on.
More than just golf
Played on the outskirts of London, the BMW PGA Championship is a true festival featuring not just golf but entertainment and a sprinkle of stardust. On Wednesday the spectacular Pro-Am takes place, featurng stars from the worlds of sport and television. Former Premier League footballers Robbie Fowler, John Terry, Eden Hazard, Gareth Bale and Joe Hart are all in action alongside former Lioness Carly Telford. Cricketing great Brian Lara is joined by rugby stars Anthony Watson and Thom Evans, with NHL ice hockey player Anze Kopitar also teeing up. TV personalities Paddy McGuinness, Michael MacIntyre, Vernon Kay, Dan Walker, Jenni Falconer and Anton du Beke are sure to entertain, as are reality stars Mark Wright, Spencer Matthews and Josh Denzel. And once the golf finishes, the party continues, with live entertainment on the Amazon Leo Live Stage – including weekend headline acts The Kooks and Ella Eyre.
