Rory McIlroy adds $9m Rolex Series event to 2026 schedule

Rory McIlroy has confirmed he'll return to Wentworth Club for the 2026 BMW PGA Championship.

McIlroy has won the Rolex Series event just once in his career and has made no secret of his desire to win the DP World Tour's flagship event again. 

The reigning Masters champion won the tournament in 2014 and has finished runner-up on three other occasions. 

The most recent of which came two years ago when he was defeated by Billy Horschel in a play-off. 

Horschel became the first American golfer to win the BMW PGA Championship twice when he held a long-range eagle putt to defeat McIlroy. 

The 2026 BMW PGA Championship will be played over 17-20 September.

McIlroy will return to Surrey off the back of a landmark year in which he won The Masters, Irish Open, The Players and helped Europe to an away Ryder Cup victory. 

He also won at Pebble Beach and his home open at the K Club. 

"I've had some great results at Wentworth in the past, and I always enjoy returning to the BMW PGA Championship," said McIlroy. 

"No doubt the crowds will be out in force once again, and I'm looking forward to the week."

Alex Noren won the BMW PGA Championship last September. The Swede defeated France's Adrien Saddier in a play-off in torrential rain. 

McIlroy's game "in good shape"

McIlroy will soon be turning his attention to the first men's major of the year. 

He has just two scheduled tournaments left before he attempts to defend his Masters title. 

McIlroy will tee up at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship before heading to Augusta National. 

On Sunday, McIlroy finished runner-up to Jacob Bridgeman at the Genesis Invitational.. 

He has made no secret of his desire to win at Riviera Country Club, especially as the tournament is hosted by Tiger Woods. 

McIlroy pushed Bridgeman hard but couldn't buy a putt in the final round until he reached the 18th and it was already too late. 

He was asked if it was cruel to watch that go in when he had missed so many opportunities, but he joked that it earned him an extra $600,000. 

McIlroy also told reporters that his game is in a far better place than where it was in January. 

"It's feeling much better than it did in Dubai at the start of the year, which is a big step in the right direction," he said.  

"I just have to keep working. I now have a little time off to work on some things even though I feel like my game's pretty much all there."