BMW PGA Championship: Rory McIlroy absent from Wentworth pro-am

Golf fans hoping to see Rory McIlroy in action on the eve of this week's BMW PGA Championship are set for disappointment.

The Masters champion will not be playing in Wednesday's star-studded pro-am at Wentworth as he had a "prior commitment", according to one golf reporter.

McIlroy played the pro-am with former Spurs and Real Madrid star Gareth Bale last year and attracted huge galleries for the duration of their round, but the Welshman will now accompany defending champion Billy Horschel.

Bale and Horschel with be joined by British tennis legend Sir Andy Murray and former England striker Teddy Sheringham in another field packed with household names.

But McIlroy was not among the list of professionals in Wednesday's event despite being at Wentworth on Monday, hitting the practice range just a day after his epic victory in the Amgen Irish Open at The K Club.

James Corrigan, the golf correspondent for the Daily and Sunday Telegraph, posted a message on his X account warning fans with tickets to the pro-am that they would not be seeing the world No 2.

"Just a warning for all those Rory McIlroy fans going to Wentworth on Wednesday and expecting to see him in the pro-am," he wrote. "He is not playing due to a prior commitment. Of course, he will be playing in the tournament proper - Thursday to Sunday - and should get a rousing reception."

McIlroy will be at Wentworth again on Tuesday for his scheduled pre-tournament press conference at 1pm, but he will then have a day off before he returns on Thursday to being his quest for a second win on the West Course, and his first since 2014.

The 36-year-old, one of 11 members of Europe's Ryder Cup team confirmed to play this week, arrives at Wentworth in high spirits after pulling off one of the most memorable wins of his career on Sunday.

McIlroy sent the crowd into hysterics at The K Club after holing a 30-foot eagle putt on the last green to force a playoff against Joakim Lagergren, and he went on to clinch his second Irish Open title on the third extra hole.