McIlroy heads to Wentworth seeking second BMW PGA title in new September slot

RORY McIlroy has confirmed he will join his Ryder Cup teammates Francesco Molinari, Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose in the field for September’s BMW PGA Championship at Surrey’s Wentworth Club.

The four-time Major Champion won the prestigious BMW PGA Championship in 2014 and finished runner up to Molinari last year.

McIlroy finished two shots behind the Italian who went on to win The Open Championship two months later.

The BMW PGA Championship moves from its traditional May date to September for the first time this year.

It marks the start of the qualification campaign for Padraig Harrington’s 2020 European Ryder Cup team and will be the fourth Rolex Series tournament of 2019.

McIlroy will be keen to make a strong start on that front as he targets a sixth consecutive Ryder Cup appearance.

After missing out on a third WGC Championship title to World No. 1 Brooks Koepka, in the WGC FedEx St Jude Invitational, on Sunday, McIlroy will be aiming to build on his impressive form in 2019.

That has already yielded two victories on the US PGA Tour alongside top 10 finishes in the US Open and USPGA Championship and all three World Golf Championships.

“The BMW PGA Championship is always a great event and I’m looking forward to playing in it again, particularly in its new September date,” said McIlroy.

“The West Course should be in superb condition and the change in date should also mean an even stronger field. 

“I’ve won at Wentworth before and finished second behind Frankie last year, so hopefully I can do well again and also get off to a good start in the Ryder Cup qualification.”

McIlroy joins Hampshire’s World No. 4 Rose, who is a two-time runner-up in the event, and the two most recent winners of the Race to Dubai, Fleetwood and Molinari, who formed a record-breaking partnership at last year’s Ryder Cup in France.

More star names appearing in Wentworth’s new slot in the calendar will be announced in the coming weeks.

In addition to the world-class golf on offer, fans will also be treated to two outstanding live music acts across the weekend, with Rudimental set to headline the Slingsby Showstage on Saturday, September 21, before Anne-Marie brings the tournament to a close 24 hours later on Sunday.

Tickets for the BMW PGA Championship and the Celebrity Pro-Am on Wednesday, September 18, are on sale now.

Click here for more information. For hospitality packages, click here.

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