Next week marks the much-anticipated return of the Rolex Series as Wentworth Club hosts the prestigious BMW PGA Championship for the 35th consecutive year. Here’s our top tips to ensure you don’t miss a thing…
Return of the Rolex Series…
Last year’s BMW PGA Championship heralded the arrival of the European Tour’s Rolex Series, an alliance of eight premium tournaments on the Race to Dubai, each with a minimum prize fund of US$7million. Sweden’s Alex Noren ensured the occasion got off to a spectacular start, coming from seven shots back to claim the title with a stunning final round of 62. The Rolex Series went on to enjoy a successful first year on the European Tour, with all seven winners – Noren, Tommy Fleetwood, Rafa Cabrera Bello, Jon Rahm (twice), Tyrrell Hatton, Branden Grace and Justin Rose – coming from inside the top 30 on the Official World Golf Ranking.
Innovative coverage brought fans even closer to the action, but the drama wasn’t limited to inside the ropes, with the European Tour’s award-winning Access All Areas series producing memorable content, including Aaron’s Best Day Ever, where European Tour fan Aaron’s eighth birthday was gatecrashed by his favourite players, Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson, Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston and Martin Kaymer, a video which has been viewed more than 12 million times since. Expect more great content next week…
Paul Casey’s homecoming…
It’s been five years since Paul Casey last graced the hallowed turf of the West Course, but the Englishman is relishing the chance to play in front of his home fans again next week. The World Number 12 won the BMW PGA Championship title in 2009 and played in 12 consecutive editions of the tournament between 2002-2013, but a combination of injuries and family commitments in the United States meant he has missed the last four events.
He’s back for 2018 though, joining Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, defending champion Alex Noren and a host of other star names in the field, and there is certainly plenty for him to play for. In addition to trying to reclaim the title he won nine years ago, Casey has another return on his agenda in 2018, as has bids to play in his first Ryder Cup since 2008. This year’s BMW PGA Championship marks a new phase in the qualification campaign for the biennial contest, with points now multiplied by 1.5 until Made in Denmark, so Casey will be targeting a strong performance at Wentworth to enhance his chances of making Thomas Bjørn’s team for Paris. The 40 year old grew up in Surrey and spent his childhood watching greats of the game such as Seve Ballesteros and Sir Nick Faldo tackling the West Course. Will it prove to be a fond trip down memory lane for the 13-time European Tour winner?
Celebrity spotting…
A host of celebrities are preparing to gather in the Surrey and Berkshire area, and we aren’t talking about the Royal Wedding. Fans interested in a bit of celeb spotting won’t be disappointed with the line-up for the tournament’s traditional curtain raiser, Wednesday’s Celebrity Pro-Am. With shotgun starts at 8.00am and 1.15pm, some of the leading stars from showbusiness, film, sport and music will be mixing it with the European Tour’s finest. Manchester United Captain Michael Carrick is making his debut in the event, joining Rory McIlroy and his former Old Trafford teammates Paul Scholes and Teddy Sheringham. Premier League winning manager Pep Guardiola is also new, and he will join Race to Dubai champion Tommy Fleetwood, ex-Southampton star Matt Le Tissier and former United keeper Peter Schmeichel. Billions star Damian Lewis and Fifty Shades of Grey lead Jamie Dornan represent the acting world, with Ronan Keating, Tom Chaplin, Mike Rutherford, Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden among the musicians teeing it up. Tickets are available here:http://et.golf/tickets
More Headline acts….
The combination of golf and music doesn’t end with the Celebrity Pro-Am, with tunes to suit all tastes set to soundtrack the BMW PGA Championship village. Last year, Status Quo and the Kaiser Chiefs performed on the BMW Show Stage, and this year’s headliners are chart-toppers Rudimental and Simple Minds. London band Rudimental will play a 90-minute set after play has finished on Saturday, while Scottish rockers Simple Minds, whose hits include ‘Don’t You Forget About Me’ and ‘Alive and Kicking’, bring the curtain down on the BMW PGA Championship on Sunday night. Acoustic acts will also appear on the BMW Show Stage each lunchtime at 1pm. Tickets to see the headline acts are available here:
http://et.golf/tickets
Fancy a nap?...
If all the activities and action on the golf course take their toll, you might just fancy a quick power nap. Well, thankfully, we’ve even thought of that. As part of the Hilton Best Bed in the House competition, a bed (that’s right) will be positioned next to the green on the West Course’s 154-yard par three second hole. Spectators can sign up for a slot on the bed during the competition days and if you happen to be the one snuggled up when a player makes a hole-in-one, you’ll win a dream getaway to the Seychelles courtesy of Hilton.
There will also be other chances to win prizes in the Championship Village, with Moët & Chandon celebrating its founding year by giving fans the chance to take part in a ‘1743 moment’. If any golfer cards a birdie four or an eagle three on the 17th hole, the first person to go to the Moët Ice Terrace and name that player will receive a complimentary Moët Moment. European Tour partner, Titleist, is also offering the exclusive opportunity for guests to experience The Titleist Ultimate Fit on the driving range during the weekend, with the chance to be fitted alongside the professionals as they warm up. And Lindt is also offering the chance to win a Titleist professional golf bag full of Lindt chocolate at The Lindt Chocolate Shop in the Championship Village. Pop along to find out more.
Risk and reward…
There has been plenty of drama on the West Course’s 18th hole over the years, not least 12 months ago when Alex Noren produced this incredible shot to set up an eagle as he claimed the title after starting the final day seven shots back.
The iconic 521-yard par five hole, which has a green protected by water, is a classic risk and reward hole, and the emphasis will certainly be on the latter for any player who manages to go one better than Noren and bag a rare albatross two. Title sponsor BMW are tempting the players to go for it by offering a brand new BMW i8 Roadster, which will sit in the grandstand throughout the tournament. No laying up then, guys?
