Tournament Name: BMW PGA Championship | Sep 17-20

Course: Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey

Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,267 | Defending champion: Alex Noren

The BMW PGA Championship is the DP World Tour’s flagship event and will be held at Wentworth for the 43rd successive year. It was switched from its traditional May date to a September tournament in 2019 after the US PGA Championship was moved forward from August to May.

Betting Odds

2026 BMW Championship Betting Odds

*Odds are correct at the time of writing, but subject to change.

McIlroy upbeat

McIlroy upbeat despite Irish Open struggles

Tournament favourite Rory McIlroy is feeling confident about his game heading into the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth despite a disappointing title defence at the Irish Open . McIlroy ended up having to settle for a share of 41st place at Trump International on Sunday, a massive 22 shots behind runaway champion and good friend Shane Lowry.

The world number two and six-time major champion never looked like mounting a sustained challenge in Doonbeg and saw any hopes of a top-10 finish sunk by a third-round 74, but he was far from downcast about his form.

McIlroy , who prior to the Irish Open had finished third and fourth in his last two outings in the FedExCup play-offs , said: “Obviously it wasn't the week I wanted but at the same time, I don't feel too far away, and I feel good about going into Wentworth next week. I've seen enough good stuff to give me encouragement going into next week, a golf course I know well and a golf course I've had success on.”

That confidence and course knowledge could spell bad news for his rivals at Virginia Water , with McIlroy having won the prestigious BMW Championship title in 2014 as well as finishing runner-up in 2018, 2022 and 2024.

The Northern Irishman is 7/1 to take the honours again this week, with Ryder Cup team-mates Jon Rahm (10/1), Ludvig Aberg (11/1), Tommy Fleetwood (11/1) and Matt Fitzpatrick (12/1), considered his main threats.

However, none of those five players have won the BMW Championship with only two-time runner-up Rahm even finishing in the top two, so it may be prudent to cast the net wider in the hunt for potential contenders.

The Contenders

Noren eyeing Wentworth treble

Alex Noren is the reigning champion following his play-off win over Adrien Saddier 12 months ago and he is looking to become the first player since Luke Donald in 2012 to successfully defend his crown. Noren’s 2025 win was no flash in the pan either, as he also claimed victory at Wentworth in 2017, one of the 44-year-old Swede’s 12 wins on the European Tour.

Noren had a solid end to his season on the PGA Tour , finishing 18th at The Open , seventh at the Wyndham Championship and third at the St Jude Championship before bowing out of the FedExCup play-offs with a 37th-placed finish at the BMW Championship. He is 22/1 to retain his title but a top-five finish at 13/2 may be worth considering instead.

Lowry is 20/1 to carry his record-breaking form from County Clare to Surrey . The 39-year-old Irishman claimed his first individual victory since the 2022 BMW PGA Championship with a stunning performance to win his home open for the second time.

Lowry broke both the course record with his second-round 62 at Trump International , as well as setting a new tournament-best score of 257 before being presented with the trophy by US President Donald Trump.

Lowry ended up 11 shots clear of nearest challengers Patrick Reed and Joaquin Niemann, setting another Irish Open record in the process, and he will now have his sights set on winning a second BMW PGA Championship. Reed is also 20/1 for victory as he looks to become only the third American to win the event, following Arnold Palmer (19750 and Billy Horschel (2021).

Best Bets

BMW Championship Best Bets

Rory McIlroy to win @ 7/1

Alex Noren top five finish @ 13/2

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*Prices are subject to fluctuation

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