BMW PGA Championship 2021

[MattyO1984]

No PGA Tour golf this week (clearly, a one week offseason is sufficient 😂) but there should be some top level golf courtesy of the BMW PGA Championship which takes place at Wentworth. Since moving to a date post PGA Tour golf, the event has been able to attract some bigger names to tee it up once again. Previous winners are a whose who of European Golf with the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Jose Maria Olazabal and Colin Montgomerie all winning in years gone by alongside more recent winners in Rory McIlory, Luke Donald and Paul Casey.

 

Defending Champion:-

Tyrell Hatton

 

Notables in the Field:-

Viktor Hovland

Matt Fizpatrick

Billy Horschel

Lee Westwood

Adam Scott

Tommy Fleetwood

Shane Lowry

Justin Rose

Ian Poulter

Henrik Stenson

Martin Kaymer

Graeme McDowell

 

 

 

[Duct Tape]

One of the best tournament courses, or just courses, in the world. Can’t believe Rory is skipping this one. 

[stinger_gc]

2 minutes ago, Duct Tape said:

One of the best tournament courses, or just courses, in the world. Can’t believe Rory is skipping this one. 

Not surprised honestly. He's played 8 times in the last 10 weeks and that includes going to Tokyo for the Olympics. He could definitely use a break before the Ryder Cup.  Rory even said he'll be playing a lot less on the European Tour going forward. He's only played 10 tournaments that count toward the European Tour this year vs 21 on the PGA Tour (if you count all those fall events from 2020). 

[KennyP]

1 hour ago, Duct Tape said:

One of the best tournament courses, or just courses, in the world. Can’t believe Rory is skipping this one. 

 

No Rory, no Sergio and no Casey. Very disappointing.

 

Fair play to Billy Horschel for making the trip.

[Medson]

6 minutes ago, KennyP said:

 

No Rory, no Sergio and no Casey. Very disappointing.

 

Fair play to Billy Horschel for making the trip.

I think some of these guys have been playing too much golf. 
 

There are too many (good) tournaments. It’s a good problem to have, but it’s a problem nevertheless. 

[Creedo77]

There’s a couple guys who played KFT finals who are playing in this then flying all the way to Napa. 

[sevenfourate]

Taking my Son to his first Tournament; to watch this on Thursday.

 

Fingers crossed for great weather - and better golf ⛳️ 

[stinger_gc]

7 hours ago, Creedo77 said:

There’s a couple guys who played KFT finals who are playing in this then flying all the way to Napa. 

Never thought Napa could draw a better field then the BMW PGA Championship which is the flagship tournament for the European Tour(everyone in the top 50 is exempt for this event). I think this is the European Tour equivalent of The Players Championship. Only 12 guys out of the top 50 are playing the BMW (0 major champions from this year), while the field in Napa has 3 major champions from this season (Phil, Rahm and Hideki).

[Creedo77]

26 minutes ago, PHILsThemannnn said:

Never thought Napa could draw a better field then the BMW PGA Championship which is the flagship tournament for the European Tour(everyone in the top 50 is exempt for this event). I think this is the European Tour equivalent of The Players Championship. Only 12 guys out of the top 50 are playing the BMW (0 major champions from this year), while the field in Napa has 3 major champions from this season (Phil, Rahm and Hideki).

Those players probably don’t want to deal with the hassle of Covid restrictions. The couple players who are going over after KFT Finals most likely need all the starts they can get.

[mark m]

For European Ryder Cup team, currently you have in top 9:

European Points - Rahm, Fleetwood, Hatton & McIlroy. 
In addition, from World Points - Hovland, Casey, Fitzpatrick, Westwood & Lowry.

 

Sergio is close, as is Weisberger, Perez & MacIntyre.

 

Now, further back are former team stalwarts - Poulter, Rose & Stenson. And some other past team members as well. Big week for those guys.

[stinger_gc]

54 minutes ago, Creedo77 said:

Those players probably don’t want to deal with the hassle of Covid restrictions. The couple players who are going over after KFT Finals most likely need all the starts they can get.

True, plus with the Ryder Cup being less then 3 weeks away in the United States, I don't think guys want to risk anyting.

[stinger_gc]

4 minutes ago, mark m said:

For European Ryder Cup team, currently you have in top 9:

European Points - Rahm, Fleetwood, Hatton & McIlroy. 
In addition, from World Points - Hovland, Casey, Fitzpatrick, Westwood & Lowry.

 

Sergio is close, as is Weisberger, Perez & MacIntyre.

 

Now, further back are former team stalwarts - Poulter, Rose & Stenson. And some other past team members as well. Big week for those guys.

I think Sergio is a lock at this point. Honestly this European team doesn't scare me at all. Westwood, Fitzpatrick, and Lowry aren't playing great atm. Tommy Fleetwood has really struggled on the PGA Tour this year and I think Rory is just really inconsistent and erratic at the moment. In 2018 Europe had multiple players go undefeated (Molinari:5-0-0 and Stenson 3-0-0). Unless that happens again, I just don't see them winning and I don't think it'll be that close either. 

[iBanesto]

Edited September 12, 2021 by iBanesto

[Dave230]

6 hours ago, PHILsThemannnn said:

I think Sergio is a lock at this point. Honestly this European team doesn't scare me at all. Westwood, Fitzpatrick, and Lowry aren't playing great atm. Tommy Fleetwood has really struggled on the PGA Tour this year and I think Rory is just really inconsistent and erratic at the moment. In 2018 Europe had multiple players go undefeated (Molinari:5-0-0 and Stenson 3-0-0). Unless that happens again, I just don't see them winning and I don't think it'll be that close either. 

Lowry is playing well, far better than many others on the team and earned his spot on the team due to recent good play. No headline stuff, but 6 straight top 25 finishes, then top 10 in PGA Champ, Memorial, Players.

 

He hasn’t won anything this year, but Leona Maguire didn’t win anything, just lots of consistent finishes, on the LPGA tour and look how she did in the Solheim.

Edited September 7, 2021 by Dave230

[MattyO1984]

Certainly disappointing some of the names that are missing out - it does seem strange, that is the Euro Tour wanted to attract as many as the big names as possible that they schedule it for the week after the conclusion of the PGA Tour season.

[Hankshank]

Not all that surprising really that some top Euros are missing. Wentworth was better placed in spring. Now pancaked btw Tour Championship and Ryder on the other side of the Big Waters. 

I think there are attractions enough to get people to the TV-sets - Mollywood, The southern scandinavian super twins, Hovland, Horschel, Scott, Lowry, Rose. I'll be watching Stenson, Alex - and Robban Karlsson.
Harrington will have a lot on his mind. Suppose guys like Alex will try to make a last minute impression on the Irishman. 

Edited September 7, 2021 by Hankshank

[Superbrit]

Not surprised Rory and Casey aren't there, Rory has played a lot, Casey is a shoe in for the Ryder cup anyway, only one that surprises me is Sergio, i can only think he's already been told he's in

 

Hatton needs to find some form this week, and wouldnt hurt to see Fleetwood and poulter do well either

 

 

[rukahs]

14 hours ago, sevenfourate said:

Taking my Son to his first Tournament; to watch this on Thursday.

 

Fingers crossed for great weather - and better golf ⛳️ 

 

I'm also there Thursday, the weather isn't looking great though! Still be a great day, get him to the range when you're there - you can get pretty close.

[sevenfourate]

1 hour ago, M4TT said:

 

I'm also there Thursday, the weather isn't looking great though! Still be a great day, get him to the range when you're there - you can get pretty close.

Yes ! Thanks. I’ve been to a few events. So was aware the range can be great viewing / a chance to get close. 
 

Any idea if / when the draws out so we can pick a few choice groups…. 

Have a great day yourself.

[mat562]

A shame Rory's necessarily taking the week off, but a great field, a big event and a fantastic venue. Looking forward to my annual trip down to Surrey to see some of it. The new date fits in well with the revamped schedule, and the weather promises to be a scorcher - unlike many of the World Matchplays of my teenage years where you were often dithering with cold as you watched Seve and Sandy romp around the Burma Road.

[MattyO1984]

4 minutes ago, mat562 said:

A shame Rory's necessarily taking the week off, but a great field, a big event and a fantastic venue. Looking forward to my annual trip down to Surrey to see some of it. The new date fits in well with the revamped schedule, and the weather promises to be a scorcher - unlike many of the World Matchplays of my teenage years where you were often dithering with cold as you watched Seve and Sandy romp around the Burma Road.

 

Speaking as someone who simply watched on TV - I enjoyed watching them drudging around in the cold 😂

[rukahs]

1 hour ago, mat562 said:

A shame Rory's necessarily taking the week off, but a great field, a big event and a fantastic venue. Looking forward to my annual trip down to Surrey to see some of it. The new date fits in well with the revamped schedule, and the weather promises to be a scorcher - unlike many of the World Matchplays of my teenage years where you were often dithering with cold as you watched Seve and Sandy romp around the Burma Road.

 

I applaud your optimism, but it isn't looking good. I have been there when it's been pouring down and it's no fun. Fun to watch the players get soaked, though. Oh and overpay for a pint of lager, out of a can. Hey ho 😄 

[stinger_gc]

6 hours ago, Dave230 said:

Lowry is playing well, far better than many others on the team and earned his spot on the team due to recent good play. No headline stuff, but 6 straight top 25 finishes, then top 10 in PGA Champ, Memorial, Players.

 

He hasn’t won anything this year, but Leona Maguire didn’t win anything, just lots of consistent finishes, on the LPGA tour and look how she did in the Solheim.

Actually you are right about Lowry. He's played well in big events this year as you said and he seems like a guy who can make a ton of birdies when he's hot. That 63 he shot at the Open in 2019 is still one of the best rounds I've ever seen.

[Hankshank]

Can't see Ross McGowans name without thinking of Shane's laughter...

[sg91]

There's some good feature groups this morning on the European Tour YouTube page 

- Horschel/Poulter/Wiesberger

- Rose/Scott/Fitzpatrick

Edited September 9, 2021 by sg91
spelling

[MattyO1984]

3 minutes ago, sg91 said:

There's some good feature groups this morning on the European Tour YouTube page 

- Horschel/Poulter/Wiesberger

- Rose/Scott/Fitzpatrick

 

Euro Tour definitely upping their game for a Rolex Series event which is good to see…although distracting me whilst I should be working away in the office 😂

[iBanesto]

1 hour ago, sg91 said:

There's some good feature groups this morning on the European Tour YouTube page 

- Horschel/Poulter/Wiesberger

- Rose/Scott/Fitzpatrick

 

It is great they a continuing this from the Scottish Open.

[KennyP]

Andrea Pavan +11 through 5 holes!

[bscinstnct]

5 minutes ago, KennyP said:

Andrea Pavan +11 through 5 holes!

 

Looks like he made 12 on the par 5 4th hole! Here is the hole.

 

The narrator should do Great Expectations for audible books ; )

 

 

[jt2gt]

On 9/6/2021 at 9:31 PM, iBanesto said:

I'm pretty sure Cantlay beat DeChambeau in a 6 hole play off for this event.

 

Yeah...most confusing Tourney name in pro golf.  What with so many tourneys did they just run out of names and decide to take to big ones and smash them together.  The BMW and the PGA Championship....hmmm, let's call this one the The BMW PGA Championship.  Next will we see the Masters Open Championship or maybe the U.S. Open Memorial Championship.  Heck, I'm looking forward to the Barbasol Puerto Rico Open Championship.  Ok...I could keep going but I won't.🤣