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