BMW PGA Championship: Watch out for McIlroy and Lowry at Wentworth

Brian Keogh

7 September 2022

Rory McIlroy enters the BMW PGA Championship as the hot favourite, but there are several major winners with a point to prove at Wentworth this week.

Following his dramatic final round comeback to win the Tour Championship and the FedEx Cup, the world number three and 2014 BMW Championship winner is the short-priced pick at 7.8 to claim his third win of the calendar year.

The Northern Irishman boasts a mixed record at the old Burma Road track with one win and four top-10s alongside four missed cuts from just 10 appearances. But given his recent form, it's easy to side with him again and hope that he takes another big step towards winning his fourth Race to Dubai title.

World number six Jon Rahm is second favourite at 11, and he looks far better value at a course where he finished second to Danny Willett in his lone appearance back in 2019.

Last year's US Open champion hasn't won since he claimed the Mexico Open in May and, given his knowledge of golfing history, he'd love nothing better than the chance to join his idol Seve Ballesteros on the list of champions here.

Those at bigger prices are headed by the aforementioned Shane Lowry, who has finished in the top-20 eight times in 11 starts at Wentworth and seems to love the West Course. Therefore, he is the ideal man to pick up the pieces if the market leaders disappoint.

Ranked 19th this week, Lowry hasn't won since The Open in 2019 but he's generally performed to a high level this year and racked up seven top-10s from 18 starts, including a second-placed finish in the Honda Classic and tied-third in both the Masters and the RBC Heritage. In all three events accurate iron play is key.

Precision will be a significant factor at Wentworth this week, and Lowry is in a combative mood given the ill-feeling towards some of the 17 LIV Golf rebels in the field. "I can't say I’m 100% okay with everyone being here, but some of the guys I don't mind given what they have done for the tour over the years," Lowry said.

"There are certain guys I can't stand being here. To be honest, the one thing that has annoyed me over the last few months is how disruptive they are all trying to be. I get they are here to get world ranking points, but I think they are partly here to be disruptive."

Defending champion Billy Horschel cannot be counted out at 38, but LIV Golf players Talor Gooch (38) and Abraham Ancer (40) have the games to strike a blow for the breakaway tour.

Both are making their debuts in the event and Gooch hit back at Horschel's claim that they are being ‘hypocritical’ in chasing ranking points having never shown any interest in the event before.

"He supports what's best for his career, like all of us do," Gooch wrote on Twitter. "World ranking points and [this is the] first time I've earned a spot into this event," Good wrote. "Super excited to play."