The British Open is still a couple months away, but golf fans will want to tune in overseas this week to watch the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club.
A host of big names have signed up to play one of the European Tour's flagship events. Rory McIlroy is the most notable European Tour star not in the field, as he continues to rest his injured rib.
Advertisement
Here's what you need to know about the tournament:
The Course
Famed Wentworth Club-West Course will be hosting its 37th BMW PGA Championship and its 34th in succession, dating back to 1984.
The American-styled course has been stripped of its turf and re-seeded in order to improve the appearance and pureness of the putting surfaces. The bunkers were also redesigned since last year.
Notable Players
This is an extensive list, but the most notable names for American fans are as follows: Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose, Branden Grace, Thomas Pieters, Ian Poulter, Martin Kaymer, Lee Westwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Luke Donald, Alex Noren and Danny Willett, who has struggled worldwide since finishing third here last year.
England's own Chris Wood won last year, which earned him a spot on Europe's Ryder Cup team. Nine of the 12 players that represented Europe at Hazeltine National last year will tee it up this week.
The Prestige
Mixing one of England's most famous courses with tradition, a strong field and one of the biggest purses on the European Tour usually amounts to something special.
This event carries so much weight that Ken Schofield — Executive Director of the European Tour from 1975 to 2004 — said during coverage of The Players Championship on Golf Channel that he would like to see both events gain dual Tour credentials like the majors and World Golf Championships.
That would mean The Players would earn European Tour members points on their Tour, while the BMW PGA Championship would award FedEx Cup points.
That seems like a long way in the making, if it ever comes about, but the two Tours definitely seem interested in collaborating in more events.
