Niall Lyons picks out a team of three heading into this week's BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, Surrey, England.
BMW PGA ChampionshipSee All Odds
Non Ryder Cup years generally mean the field at the BMW PGA isn't at full strength but we still have a star studded field assembled in the South of England this week.
There isn't an awful lot of room off the tee here but driving accuracy has been one of the least important statistics in recent years. Last year accuracy did trump distance but neither statistic was vital when looking at contenders. Generally speaking driving distance has come to the fore more so in the last five years and you can rest assured the contenders will be high up the list in the tee to green statistic.
Horschel and Lowry both topped that stat when winning in 2021 and 2022 whilst Fox ranked 9th. In 2024 Horschel did most of his work with the putter when winning for a second time.
Noren was another one who did a lot of his work on the greens last year but hitting plenty of greens in regulation is a big part of the assignment.
Previous Winners / Winning Score:
- 2025 - A.Noren (-19)
- 2024 - B.Horschel (-20)
- 2023 - R.Fox (-18)
- 2022 - S.Lowry (-17)
- 2021 - B.Horschel (-19)
- 2020 - T.Hatton (-19)
- 2019 - D.Willett (-20)
BMW PGA Championship Tips
| Player | Bet | Odds | Stake | Terms | Bookmaker | Bet Here |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rory McIlroy | Win Only | 9/1 | 4pts WIN | — | General | Click Here |
| Patrick Reed | Each-way | 20/1 | 2pts E/W | 1/5 odds, 10 places | Ladbrokes, Coral | Click Here |
| Kristoffer Reitan | Each-way | 45/1 | 1pt E/W | 1/5 odds, 8 places | Bet365 | Click Here |
Rory McIlroy at 9/1 (WIN)
Is Rory McIlroy in the type of form where he could win the tours flagship event? I'm not quite sure, but I am a little bowled over at what price the bookmakers make him and for that reason he is this weeks headline selection. McIlroy is a few points bigger than what he was last week in Doonbeg and I don't think that's quite right. Conditions were tough and McIlroy was out in the worst of it during round one. With the Trumps in town and being defending champion it isn't a week to get too hung up on his finishing position. Instead look to his record at Wentworth where he has a victory and three runner up finishes in his last eight starts here. There is no doubt his driver is somewhat silenced here but he has gained plenty off the tee here down the years to say it's still a fair piece of the jigsaw to score well around here. He ranked 10th in approach play at Bellerive then 7th in the same category at East Lake. 3rd and 4th at those two events were really solid efforts after a disappointing showing at Southwind. McIlroy has been lightly raced since winning the Masters in April and after the next three Majors his main goal for the year will have been to top the Race to Dubai for the 8th time and equal Colin Mongtomerie's record. I think we'll see McIlroy's focus improve from here on and he'll see this week as a huge opportunity to get back into pole position for that end of season finale. There are doubts that he's not quite at the top of his game but the price of 9/1 dictates we have to bet.
Patrick Reed at 20/1 (10 Places)
PGA Tour members have dominated this event down the last handful of years and although my next selection is not one currently, he soon will be again. Patrick Reed signed off last Sunday with a 64 to finish 2nd to Shane Lowry at Doonbeg and stretch his lead further in the Race to Dubai. This is probably one of the most captivating battles for the title in Dubai and Rory and Reed will go hammer and tongs until the end. Each will be extremely determined to beat the other and it would be no surprise to me should they share a title or 2 between them before the season comes to a close. Reed shot four rounds in the 60s at the Irish Open and 11 of his last 13 rounds here at Wentworth have also been in the 60s. In four trips here he has finished 4-3-5-3. That is an incredible record for the American and I se little reason as to why he can't continue in the same manner here this week. Fleetwood looks short enough given he's nowhere near the form he was in this time last year. There are a handful in front of Reed in the market who I'd be uneasy backing at the prices and upwards of 28/1 for the Race to Dubai leader looks worth chancing.
Kristoffer Reitan at 45/1 (Eight Places)
There aren't a whole lot of relevant golfers above 40/1 this week who have beaten a field of this quality recently but one who has who I'm prepared to chance is Kristoffer Reitan. With a win at the Gary Player course that holds the Nedbank and at Quail Hollow Reitan has shown himself capable on challenging layouts and he is well equipped to go well at Wentworth. Obviously McIlroy's record at Quail is superb so I'm hoping the same can rub on the Norwegian who tees it up for the second time here. He finished a fair 24th on debut but it is safe to say he has proven himself a much more capable golfer since. He's a classy operator who can have spiking weeks with his ball striking to make him a tough player to beat. Wentworth looks like a suitable venue and having made it all the way to the Tour Championship looks a better price than most who make the same journey.
