Billy Horschel will return to defend his BMW PGA Championship title when the American is joined by fellow former champions Rory McIlroy, Tyrrell Hatton and Danny Willett at Wentworth Club from September 8-11.
Horschel soared to a maiden Rolex Series title last year when he birdied the famous 18th hole at Wentworth’s West Course to clinch a one-stroke victory.
Horschel, who had previously spoken of watching the BMW PGA Championship on TV as a child when growing up in Florida, was a popular winner among British golf fans and the 35-year-old is sure to receive a warm welcome when he returns to defend his crown. Odds and other casino games can be found at 150 bonus casino.
Having become just the second American winner of the prestigious event, after Arnold Palmer in 1975, Horschel would be the first non-British player to successfully defend the title should he emerge victorious next month. The only players to have done so are Luke Donald (2011-2012), Colin Montgomerie (1998-1999-2000) and Sir Nick Faldo (1980-1981).
“I cannot wait to return to defend my BMW PGA Championship title at Wentworth,” said Horschel, who eventually finished second to fellow American Collin Morikawa in the 2021 Race to Dubai rankings. “It is a tournament which has always been close to my heart, so to win the way that I did, in front of the supportive crowds, was incredible. It will be so much fun stepping onto that first tee and being announced as the defending champion, and I have a really strong record at Wentworth so hopefully I can bring my A-game once again and put up a strong title defence.”
Horschel will be joined in the field by a strong cast list, including past PGA champions McIlroy (2014), Hatton (2020) and Willett (2019).
McIlroy is returning to the BMW PGA Championship for the first time since 2019 when the Northern Irishman tees it up in search of a second career victory at Wentworth and a maiden Rolex Series title. The four-time Major winner has an enviable record at DP Wpr;d’s showcase event, boasting one win in 2014, a runner-up finish in 2018 and a top-five finish back in 2009.
The Northern Irishman has enjoyed a strong run of form in 2022 and will arrive at the prestigious Surrey venue having added a 21st PGA TOUR title to his CV at the RBC Canadian Open last month, while he also finished runner-up at in the Masters and third at the Open Championship. His Rolex Series record thus far this year also makes for impressive reading as he finished third at the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic after claiming a share of 12th at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
“I look forward to competing again at the BMW PGA Championship,” said McIlroy. “It’s an event I always love playing – the West Course has been good to me in the past, and the fans are incredibly supportive. I’ve had a consistent year so far and having a chance to win again at the iconic Wentworth would help my season long campaign.”
Two years ago, Hatton realised a boyhood dream when he sealed a four-stroke victory over Frenchman Victor Perez – his third of four Rolex Series victories to date – and the Englishman is looking forward to returning to the Surrey venue, which is less than 30 miles from where he grew up.
“The BMW PGA Championship is always one of my favourite weeks of the year,” said the two-time Ryder Cup player. “It’s an event I regularly attended as a kid and one of those ones I always dreamed of just playing in, never mind winning. The event seems to just get bigger and bigger every year and the crowds are always really supportive. I also get to play in front of family and friends which is pretty special. It should be another great event.”
Every year, the BMW PGA Championship attracts more than 100,000 spectators for what is one of the highlights of the British sporting summer, with its mix of world-class golf, live entertainment from internationally renowned music acts and an unrivalled atmosphere in the vibrant Spectator Village.
The action begins on September 7 with the star-studded Celebrity Pro-Am, which brings together global celebrity superstars and some of golf’s most famous players in a fun-filled curtain raiser to the main event, the BMW PGA Championship, which tees off on September 8 and runs through to September 11.