# BMW PGA Championship

The BMW PGA Championship is an annual men's professional golf tournament on the European Tour. It was founded in 1955 by the Professional Golfers' Association, and originally called the British PGA Championship.

## History

The BMW PGA Championship has usually been played each May, on the weekend of the UK's Spring Bank Holiday, over the West Course at the Wentworth Club in Surrey, England. The PGA European Tour has its headquarters at the club and as the tour's home tournament, the BMW PGA Championship is often regarded as the flagship event on the European Tour. The tournament switched to September in 2019 as part of a revamp of the golfing calendar in which the US PGA Championship moved to May.
It has usually had the highest prize money of any event which the tour organises, but this changed in 2009 with the introduction of the Race to Dubai, and the $10 million Dubai World Championship at the end of the season. There are other more lucrative events than the BMW PGA Championship which are part of the European Tour schedule, such as the majors and the World Golf Championship events, but these are organised by other bodies. It is also the European Tour's designated "Premier event" for the purposes of the Official World Golf Rankings, with a minimum of 64 ranking points available to the winner.
The winner of the tournament is given an exemption into that season's U.S. Open and the next three Open Championships.
In 2000, Colin Montgomerie became the only player to win three years in a row.
In 2021, Billy Horschel became only the second American to win the event, the first since Arnold Palmer in 1975.

## Winners

| European Tour (Rolex Series) | 2022– |
| European Tour (Flagship event and Rolex Series) | 2017–2021 |
| European Tour (Flagship event) | 1990–2016 |
| European Tour (Regular) | 1972–1989 |
| Pre-European Tour | 1955–1971 |
| # | Year | Winner | Score | To par | Margin of victory | Runner(s)-up | Winner's share (€) | Venue |
| BMW PGA Championship |||||||||
| 70th | 2024 | Billy Horschel (2) | 268 | −20 | Playoff | Thriston Lawrence Rory McIlroy | 1,370,338 | Wentworth Club |
| 69th | 2023 | Ryan Fox | 270 | −18 | 1 stroke | Tyrrell Hatton Aaron Rai | 1,435,858 | Wentworth Club |
| 68th | 2022 | Shane Lowry | 199 | −17 | 1 stroke | Rory McIlroy Jon Rahm | 1,351,106 | Wentworth Club |
| 67th | 2021 | Billy Horschel | 269 | −19 | 1 stroke | Kiradech Aphibarnrat Laurie Canter Jamie Donaldson | 1,125,952 | Wentworth Club |
| 66th | 2020 | Tyrrell Hatton | 269 | −19 | 4 strokes | Victor Perez | 974,457 | Wentworth Club |
| 65th | 2019 | Danny Willett | 268 | −20 | 3 strokes | Jon Rahm | 1,056,662 | Wentworth Club |
| 64th | 2018 | Francesco Molinari | 271 | −17 | 2 strokes | Rory McIlroy | 995,394 | Wentworth Club |
| 63rd | 2017 | Alex Norén | 277 | −11 | 2 strokes | Francesco Molinari | 1,041,939 | Wentworth Club |
| 62nd | 2016 | Chris Wood | 279 | −9 | 1 stroke | Rikard Karlberg | 833,330 | Wentworth Club |
| 61st | 2015 | An Byeong-hun | 267 | −21 | 6 strokes | Thongchai Jaidee Miguel Ángel Jiménez | 833,330 | Wentworth Club |
| 60th | 2014 | Rory McIlroy | 274 | −14 | 1 stroke | Shane Lowry | 791,660 | Wentworth Club |
| 59th | 2013 | Matteo Manassero | 278 | −10 | Playoff | Simon Khan Marc Warren | 791,660 | Wentworth Club |
| 58th | 2012 | Luke Donald (2) | 273 | −15 | 4 strokes | Paul Lawrie Justin Rose | 750,000 | Wentworth Club |
| 57th | 2011 | Luke Donald | 278 | −6 | Playoff | Lee Westwood | 750,000 | Wentworth Club |
| 56th | 2010 | Simon Khan | 278 | −6 | 1 stroke | Fredrik Andersson Hed Luke Donald | 750,000 | Wentworth Club |
| 55th | 2009 | Paul Casey | 271 | −17 | 1 stroke | Ross Fisher | 750,000 | Wentworth Club |
| 54th | 2008 | Miguel Ángel Jiménez | 277 | −11 | Playoff | Oliver Wilson | 750,000 | Wentworth Club |
| 53rd | 2007 | Anders Hansen (2) | 280 | −8 | Playoff | Justin Rose | 725,000 | Wentworth Club |
| BMW Championship |||||||||
| 52nd | 2006 | David Howell | 271 | −17 | 5 strokes | Simon Khan | 708,330 | Wentworth Club |
| 51st | 2005 | Ángel Cabrera | 273 | −15 | 2 strokes | Paul McGinley | 666,660 | Wentworth Club |
| Volvo PGA Championship |||||||||
| 50th | 2004 | Scott Drummond | 269 | −19 | 2 strokes | Ángel Cabrera | 625,000 | Wentworth Club |
| 49th | 2003 | Ignacio Garrido | 270 | −18 | Playoff | Trevor Immelman | 583,330 | Wentworth Club |
| 48th | 2002 | Anders Hansen | 269 | −19 | 5 strokes | Colin Montgomerie Eduardo Romero | 528,708 | Wentworth Club |
| 47th | 2001 | Andrew Oldcorn | 272 | −16 | 2 strokes | Ángel Cabrera | 544,521 | Wentworth Club |
| 46th | 2000 | Colin Montgomerie (3) | 271 | −17 | 3 strokes | Darren Clarke Lee Westwood Andrew Coltart | 415,130 | Wentworth Club |
| 45th | 1999 | Colin Montgomerie (2) | 270 | −18 | 5 strokes | Mark James | 303,350 | Wentworth Club |
| 44th | 1998 | Colin Montgomerie | 274 | −14 | 1 stroke | Ernie Els Gary Orr Patrik Sjöland | 280,000 | Wentworth Club |
| 43rd | 1997 | Ian Woosnam (2) | 275 | −13 | 2 strokes | Darren Clarke Ernie Els Nick Faldo | 256,676 | Wentworth Club |
| 42nd | 1996 | Costantino Rocca | 274 | −14 | 2 strokes | Nick Faldo Paul Lawrie | 233,324 | Wentworth Club |
| 41st | 1995 | Bernhard Langer (3) | 279 | −9 | 1 stroke | Michael Campbell Per-Ulrik Johansson | 210,000 | Wentworth Club |
| 40th | 1994 | José María Olazábal | 271 | −17 | 1 stroke | Ernie Els | 186,662 | Wentworth Club |
| 39th | 1993 | Bernhard Langer (2) | 274 | −14 | 6 strokes | Gordon Brand Jnr Colin Montgomerie Frank Nobilo | 163,324 | Wentworth Club |
| 38th | 1992 | Tony Johnstone | 272 | −16 | 2 strokes | Gordon Brand Jnr José María Olazábal | 140,000 | Wentworth Club |
| 37th | 1991 | Seve Ballesteros (2) | 271 | −17 | Playoff | Colin Montgomerie | 116,662 | Wentworth Club |
| 36th | 1990 | Mike Harwood | 271 | −17 | 1 stroke | John Bland Nick Faldo | 93,324 | Wentworth Club |
| 35th | 1989 | Nick Faldo (4) | 272 | −16 | 2 strokes | Ian Woosnam | 81,662 | Wentworth Club |
| 34th | 1988 | Ian Woosnam | 274 | −14 | 2 strokes | Seve Ballesteros Mark James | 70,000 | Wentworth Club |
| Whyte & Mackay PGA Championship |||||||||
| 33rd | 1987 | Bernhard Langer | 270 | −18 | 4 strokes | Seve Ballesteros | 51,324 | Wentworth Club |
| 32nd | 1986 | Rodger Davis | 281 | −7 | Playoff | Des Smyth | 49,000 | Wentworth Club |
| 31st | 1985 | Paul Way | 282 | −6 | Playoff | Sandy Lyle | 42,000 | Wentworth Club |
| 30th | 1984 | Howard Clark | 204 | −12 | 2 strokes | Gordon J. Brand Bernhard Langer | 35,000 | Wentworth Club |
| Sun Alliance PGA Championship |||||||||
| 29th | 1983 | Seve Ballesteros | 278 | −2 | 2 strokes | Ken Brown Sandy Lyle | 21,000 | Royal St George's |
| 28th | 1982 | Tony Jacklin (2) | 284 | −4 | Playoff | Bernhard Langer | 18,662 | Hillside |
| 27th | 1981 | Nick Faldo (3) | 274 | −10 | 4 strokes | Ken Brown Neil Coles | 16,324 | Ganton |
| 26th | 1980 | Nick Faldo (2) | 283 | +3 | 1 stroke | Ken Brown | 16,324 | Royal St George's |
| Colgate PGA Championship |||||||||
| 25th | 1979 | Vicente Fernández | 288 | E | 1 stroke | Baldovino Dassù Gary Player | 11,662 | St Andrews Links |
| 24th | 1978 | Nick Faldo | 278 | −10 | 7 strokes | Ken Brown | 14,000 | Royal Birkdale |
| Penfold PGA Championship |||||||||
| 23rd | 1977 | Manuel Piñero | 283 | +3 | 3 strokes | Peter Oosterhuis | 14,000 | Royal St George's |
| 22nd | 1976 | Neil Coles | 280 | E | Playoff | Eamonn Darcy Gary Player | 14,000 | Royal St George's |
| 21st | 1975 | Arnold Palmer | 285 | +5 | 2 strokes | Eamonn Darcy | 14,000 | Royal St George's |
| Viyella PGA Championship |||||||||
| 20th | 1974 | Maurice Bembridge | 278 | −10 | 1 stroke | Peter Oosterhuis | 5,600 | Wentworth Club |
| 19th | 1973 | Peter Oosterhuis | 280 | −8 | 3 strokes | Dale Hayes Donald Swaelens | 3,071 | Wentworth Club |
| 18th | 1972 | Tony Jacklin | 279 | −9 | 3 strokes | Peter Oosterhuis | 3,070 | Wentworth Club |
| Schweppes PGA Championship |||||||||
| 1970–71: No tournament |||||||||
| 17th | 1969 | Bernard Gallacher | 293 | +5 | 1 stroke | John Garner Guy Wolstenholme | | Ashburnham |
| 15th | 1968 (op.) | David Talbot | 276 | −8 | 5 strokes | Bernard Hunt | | Dunbar |
| 13th | 1967 (op.) | Malcolm Gregson | 275 | −13 | 3 strokes | Hugh Boyle | | Hunstanton |
| Piccadilly PGA Close Championship |||||||||
| 16th | 1968 (cl.) | Peter Townsend | 275 | −5 | 1 stroke | Neil Coles | | Royal Mid-Surrey |
| PGA Close Championship |||||||||
| 14th | 1967 (cl.) | Brian Huggett | 271 | −13 | 8 strokes | Jimmy Hitchcock Bernard Hunt | | Thorndon Park |
| Schweppes PGA Close Championship |||||||||
| 12th | 1966 | Guy Wolstenholme | 278 | −2 | 4 strokes | George Will | | Saunton |
| 11th | 1965 | Peter Alliss (3) | 286 | −6 | Playoff | Peter Butler | | Prince's |
| 10th | 1964 | Tony Grubb | 287 | −1 | 2 strokes | Lionel Platts | | Western Gailes |
| 9th | 1963 | Peter Butler | 306 | | 2 strokes | Bobby Walker | 1,000 | Royal Birkdale |
| 8th | 1962 | Peter Alliss (2) | 287 | | 1 stroke | Ralph Moffitt Christy O'Connor Snr | | Little Aston Sutton Coldfield |
| 7th | 1961 | Brian Bamford | 266 | −11 | 3 strokes | Peter Alliss Christy O'Connor Snr | | Royal Mid-Surrey Richmond |
| PGA Close Championship |||||||||
| 6th | 1960 | Arnold Stickley | 247 | | 2 strokes | Dai Rees | | Coventry |
| 5th | 1959 | Dai Rees | 283 | | 6 strokes | Bernard Hunt David Snell | | Ashburnham |
| 4th | 1958 | Harry Bradshaw | 287 | | 1 stroke | Dai Rees | | Maesdu |
| 3rd | 1957 | Peter Alliss | 286 | | 3 strokes | Charlie Ward | | Maesdu |
| 2nd | 1956 | Charlie Ward | 282 | | Playoff | Eric Brown | | Maesdu |
| 1st | 1955 | Ken Bousfield | 277 | | 2 strokes | Max Faulkner | | Pannal Harrogate (Starbeck) |

## Media coverage

Currently in the United Kingdom, all four rounds of the BMW PGA Championship are shown live by Sky Sports with highlights being shown by the BBC.