Three more Ryder Cup stars commit to BMW PGA Championship

Three more players from Europe's winning Ryder Cup team join what could be the best field the BMW PGA Championship has ever seen.

Jack Seddon's picture
Thu, 29 Aug 2019
Three more Ryder Cup stars commit to BMW PGA Championship

The BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth is the European Tour's flagship event and this year we could be treated to what looks to be the best field the tournament has ever seen.

The tournament takes place 19-22 September at the stunning West Course at Wentworth and it is the first opportunity for the European players to gain qualification points as they look to make Padraig Harrington's 2020 team for Whistling Straits.

Paul Casey, Tyrrell Hatton and Ian Poulter are the latest players to throw their names in the hat and commit to the fourth Rolex Series event of the season.

During Team Europe's emphatic win over USA last year, all three players won points contributing towards the victory and the trio will be looking to make a solid start to the new qualifying campaign.

Poulter, widely known by Europeans as the Postman, has been a key figure for Team Europe in multiple Ryder Cups, due to his ability to come alive in match play. The Ryder-Cup star has been a thorn in the side of the Americans for years and he can't wait to get going at Wentworth in September.

"I always get such incredible support when I return home to play on English soil, so I'm really looking forward to playing the BMW PGA Championship," Poulter said.

"The fact that it will be the first counting event for the 2020 Ryder Cup of course gives it some extra importance for me, as making it onto Padraig Harrington's European team will once again be my biggest goal over the next 12 months."

The English trio join what is already quite possibly the best field that the BMW PGA Championship has ever seen, with defending champion Francesco Molinari and FedEx Cup winner Rory McIlroy also returning to the event next month, while Team Europe stars Tommy Fleetwood, Alex Noren, Jon Rahm, Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson all set to tee it up at Wentworth too.

"I am delighted to be returning to the BMW PGA Championship," said Casey. "Obviously Wentworth is one of my favourite golf courses and I have such fantastic memories there.

"I really enjoyed playing last year after a few years away and playing in front of your home fans is always incredibly enjoyable. As a Rolex Series event and now the start of the Ryder Cup points, this is one of the biggest weeks on the European Tour schedule, so hopefully I can bring my A-game."

Three players from Team USA will be making their debuts in the tournament, with Patrick Reed, Tony Finau and Billy Horschel all recently confirming their attendance.