The BMW PGA Championship is an annual men's professional golf tournament on the European Tour. It was founded in 1955 by the Professional Golfers' Association, and originally called the British PGA Championship.

BMW PGA Championship
Tournament information
LocationVirginia Water, Surrey, England
Established1955
Course(s)Wentworth Club
Par72
Length7,267 yards (6,645 m)
Tour(s)European Tour
FormatStroke play
Prize fundUS$9,000,000
Month playedSeptember
Tournament record score
Aggregate266 Brian Bamford (1961)
To par−21 An Byeong-hun (2015)
Current champion
United States Billy Horschel
Location map
Wentworth Club is located in England
Wentworth Club
Wentworth Club
Location in England
Wentworth Club is located in Surrey
Wentworth Club
Wentworth Club
Location in Surrey

History

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The BMW PGA Championship has usually been played each May, on the weekend of the UK's Spring Bank Holiday, over the West Course at the Wentworth Club in Surrey, England. The PGA European Tour has its headquarters at the club and as the tour's home tournament, the BMW PGA Championship is often regarded as the flagship event on the European Tour. The tournament switched to September in 2019 as part of a revamp of the golfing calendar in which the US PGA Championship moved to May.[1]

It has usually had the highest prize money of any event which the tour organises, but this changed in 2009 with the introduction of the Race to Dubai, and the $10 million Dubai World Championship at the end of the season. There are other more lucrative events than the BMW PGA Championship which are part of the European Tour schedule, such as the majors and the World Golf Championship events, but these are organised by other bodies. It is also the European Tour's designated "Premier event" for the purposes of the Official World Golf Rankings, with a minimum of 64 ranking points available to the winner.[2]

The winner of the tournament is given an exemption into that season's U.S. Open and the next three Open Championships.

In 2000, Colin Montgomerie became the only player to win three years in a row.[3]

In 2021, Billy Horschel became only the second American to win the event, the first since Arnold Palmer in 1975.[4]

Winners

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European Tour (Rolex Series) 2022–
European Tour (Flagship event and Rolex Series) 2017–2021
European Tour (Flagship event) 1990–2016
European Tour (Regular) 1972–1989
Pre-European Tour 1955–1971
# Year Winner Score To par Margin of
victory
Runner(s)-up Winner's
share ()
Venue
BMW PGA Championship
70th 2024   Billy Horschel (2) 268 −20 Playoff   Thriston Lawrence
  Rory McIlroy
1,370,338 Wentworth Club
69th 2023   Ryan Fox 270 −18 1 stroke   Tyrrell Hatton
  Aaron Rai
1,435,858 Wentworth Club
68th 2022   Shane Lowry 199[a] −17 1 stroke   Rory McIlroy
  Jon Rahm
1,351,106 Wentworth Club
67th 2021   Billy Horschel 269 −19 1 stroke   Kiradech Aphibarnrat
  Laurie Canter
  Jamie Donaldson
1,125,952 Wentworth Club
66th 2020   Tyrrell Hatton 269 −19 4 strokes   Victor Perez 974,457 Wentworth Club
65th 2019   Danny Willett 268 −20 3 strokes   Jon Rahm 1,056,662 Wentworth Club
64th 2018   Francesco Molinari 271 −17 2 strokes   Rory McIlroy 995,394 Wentworth Club
63rd 2017   Alex Norén 277 −11 2 strokes   Francesco Molinari 1,041,939 Wentworth Club
62nd 2016   Chris Wood 279 −9 1 stroke   Rikard Karlberg 833,330 Wentworth Club
61st 2015   An Byeong-hun 267 −21 6 strokes   Thongchai Jaidee
  Miguel Ángel Jiménez
833,330 Wentworth Club
60th 2014   Rory McIlroy 274 −14 1 stroke   Shane Lowry 791,660 Wentworth Club
59th 2013   Matteo Manassero 278 −10 Playoff   Simon Khan
  Marc Warren
791,660 Wentworth Club
58th 2012   Luke Donald (2) 273 −15 4 strokes   Paul Lawrie
  Justin Rose
750,000 Wentworth Club
57th 2011   Luke Donald 278 −6 Playoff   Lee Westwood 750,000 Wentworth Club
56th 2010   Simon Khan 278 −6 1 stroke   Fredrik Andersson Hed
  Luke Donald
750,000 Wentworth Club
55th 2009   Paul Casey 271 −17 1 stroke   Ross Fisher 750,000 Wentworth Club
54th 2008   Miguel Ángel Jiménez 277 −11 Playoff   Oliver Wilson 750,000 Wentworth Club
53rd 2007   Anders Hansen (2) 280 −8 Playoff   Justin Rose 725,000 Wentworth Club
BMW Championship
52nd 2006   David Howell 271 −17 5 strokes   Simon Khan 708,330 Wentworth Club
51st 2005   Ángel Cabrera 273 −15 2 strokes   Paul McGinley 666,660 Wentworth Club
Volvo PGA Championship
50th 2004   Scott Drummond 269 −19 2 strokes   Ángel Cabrera 625,000 Wentworth Club
49th 2003   Ignacio Garrido 270 −18 Playoff   Trevor Immelman 583,330 Wentworth Club
48th 2002   Anders Hansen 269 −19 5 strokes   Colin Montgomerie
  Eduardo Romero
528,708 Wentworth Club
47th 2001   Andrew Oldcorn 272 −16 2 strokes   Ángel Cabrera 544,521 Wentworth Club
46th 2000   Colin Montgomerie (3) 271 −17 3 strokes   Darren Clarke
  Lee Westwood
  Andrew Coltart
415,130 Wentworth Club
45th 1999   Colin Montgomerie (2) 270 −18 5 strokes   Mark James 303,350 Wentworth Club
44th 1998   Colin Montgomerie 274 −14 1 stroke   Ernie Els
  Gary Orr
  Patrik Sjöland
280,000 Wentworth Club
43rd 1997   Ian Woosnam (2) 275 −13 2 strokes   Darren Clarke
  Ernie Els
  Nick Faldo
256,676 Wentworth Club
42nd 1996   Costantino Rocca 274 −14 2 strokes   Nick Faldo
  Paul Lawrie
233,324 Wentworth Club
41st 1995   Bernhard Langer (3) 279 −9 1 stroke   Michael Campbell
  Per-Ulrik Johansson
210,000 Wentworth Club
40th 1994   José María Olazábal 271 −17 1 stroke   Ernie Els 186,662 Wentworth Club
39th 1993   Bernhard Langer (2) 274 −14 6 strokes   Gordon Brand Jnr
  Colin Montgomerie
  Frank Nobilo
163,324 Wentworth Club
38th 1992   Tony Johnstone 272 −16 2 strokes   Gordon Brand Jnr
  José María Olazábal
140,000 Wentworth Club
37th 1991   Seve Ballesteros (2) 271 −17 Playoff   Colin Montgomerie 116,662 Wentworth Club
36th 1990   Mike Harwood 271 −17 1 stroke   John Bland
  Nick Faldo
93,324 Wentworth Club
35th 1989   Nick Faldo (4) 272 −16 2 strokes   Ian Woosnam 81,662 Wentworth Club
34th 1988   Ian Woosnam 274 −14 2 strokes   Seve Ballesteros
  Mark James
70,000 Wentworth Club
Whyte & Mackay PGA Championship
33rd 1987   Bernhard Langer 270 −18 4 strokes   Seve Ballesteros 51,324 Wentworth Club
32nd 1986   Rodger Davis 281 −7 Playoff   Des Smyth 49,000 Wentworth Club
31st 1985   Paul Way 282 −6 Playoff   Sandy Lyle 42,000 Wentworth Club
30th 1984   Howard Clark 204[b] −12 2 strokes   Gordon J. Brand
  Bernhard Langer
35,000 Wentworth Club
Sun Alliance PGA Championship
29th 1983   Seve Ballesteros 278 −2 2 strokes   Ken Brown
  Sandy Lyle
21,000 Royal St George's
28th 1982   Tony Jacklin (2) 284 −4 Playoff   Bernhard Langer 18,662 Hillside
27th 1981   Nick Faldo (3) 274 −10 4 strokes   Ken Brown
  Neil Coles
16,324 Ganton
26th 1980   Nick Faldo (2) 283 +3 1 stroke   Ken Brown 16,324 Royal St George's
Colgate PGA Championship
25th 1979   Vicente Fernández 288 E 1 stroke   Baldovino Dassù
  Gary Player
11,662 St Andrews Links
24th 1978   Nick Faldo 278 −10 7 strokes   Ken Brown 14,000 Royal Birkdale
Penfold PGA Championship
23rd 1977   Manuel Piñero 283 +3 3 strokes   Peter Oosterhuis 14,000 Royal St George's
22nd 1976   Neil Coles 280 E Playoff   Eamonn Darcy
  Gary Player
14,000 Royal St George's
21st 1975   Arnold Palmer 285 +5 2 strokes   Eamonn Darcy 14,000 Royal St George's
Viyella PGA Championship
20th 1974   Maurice Bembridge 278 −10 1 stroke   Peter Oosterhuis 5,600 Wentworth Club
19th 1973   Peter Oosterhuis 280 −8 3 strokes   Dale Hayes
  Donald Swaelens
3,071 Wentworth Club
18th 1972   Tony Jacklin 279 −9 3 strokes   Peter Oosterhuis 3,070 Wentworth Club
Schweppes PGA Championship
1970–71: No tournament
17th 1969   Bernard Gallacher 293 +5 1 stroke   John Garner
  Guy Wolstenholme
Ashburnham
15th 1968
(op.)[c]
  David Talbot 276 −8 5 strokes   Bernard Hunt Dunbar
13th 1967
(op.)[c]
  Malcolm Gregson 275 −13 3 strokes   Hugh Boyle Hunstanton
Piccadilly PGA Close Championship
16th 1968
(cl.)[c]
  Peter Townsend 275 −5 1 stroke   Neil Coles Royal Mid-Surrey
PGA Close Championship
14th 1967
(cl.)[c]
  Brian Huggett 271 −13 8 strokes   Jimmy Hitchcock
  Bernard Hunt
Thorndon Park
Schweppes PGA Close Championship
12th 1966   Guy Wolstenholme 278 −2 4 strokes   George Will Saunton
11th 1965   Peter Alliss (3) 286 −6 Playoff[d]   Peter Butler Prince's
10th 1964   Tony Grubb 287 −1 2 strokes   Lionel Platts Western Gailes
9th 1963   Peter Butler 306 2 strokes   Bobby Walker 1,000 Royal Birkdale
8th 1962   Peter Alliss (2) 287 1 stroke   Ralph Moffitt
  Christy O'Connor Snr
Little Aston
Sutton Coldfield
7th 1961   Brian Bamford 266 −11 3 strokes   Peter Alliss
  Christy O'Connor Snr
Royal Mid-Surrey
Richmond
PGA Close Championship
6th 1960   Arnold Stickley 247[e] 2 strokes   Dai Rees Coventry
5th 1959   Dai Rees 283 6 strokes   Bernard Hunt
  David Snell
Ashburnham
4th 1958   Harry Bradshaw 287 1 stroke   Dai Rees Maesdu
3rd 1957   Peter Alliss 286 3 strokes   Charlie Ward Maesdu
2nd 1956   Charlie Ward 282 Playoff[f]   Eric Brown Maesdu
1st 1955   Ken Bousfield 277 2 strokes   Max Faulkner Pannal
Harrogate (Starbeck)

Media coverage

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Currently in the United Kingdom, all four rounds of the BMW PGA Championship are shown live by Sky Sports with highlights being shown by the BBC.

Notes

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  1. ^ Shortened to 54 holes due to Operation London Bridge.[5]
  2. ^ Shortened to 54 holes due to weather.
  3. ^ a b c d In 1967 and 1968, both open and closed championships were held.
  4. ^ Alliss won on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff.
  5. ^ Shortened to 63 holes due to weather.
  6. ^ Ward defeated Brown in a 36 hole playoff; Ward 139, Brown 141.

References

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  1. ^ "US PGA Championship: Golf's fourth major moved from August to May". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  2. ^ "How the system works". Official World Golf Ranking. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
  3. ^ "Montgomerie Wins 3rd Straight Volvo". The New York Times. 30 May 2000. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
  4. ^ "BMW PGA Championship: Billy Horschel cards bogey-free 65 to claim one-shot win at Wentworth". Sky Sports. 12 September 2021.
  5. ^ Harig, Bob (9 September 2022). "BMW PGA Championship Shortened to 54 Holes". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
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51°24′N 0°35′W / 51.40°N 0.59°W / 51.40; -0.59