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BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP 2019

MASTER STROKES

2016 Augusta winner Danny Willett sees off Jon Rahm to claim the BMW PGA Championship

nglishman Danny Willett secured
victory at a fantastic 2019 BMW PGA DAY ONE
Championship, with a three-shot win
Eover Spaniard Jon Rahm. Willett led An eye-catching opening day saw Matt Wallace lead the way in the Clubhouse
the star-studded field from the end of day after an opening round 65. Jon Rahm and Henrik Stenson were his closest
two, and held off pressure from Rahm along challengers after both shooting 66, while Danny Willett sat fifth alongside eight
with the likes of Justin Rose, Rory McIlroy and others in a leaderboard packed with quality. Ernie Els, Justin Rose, Paul Casey
Patrick Reed to lift only his second title since and defending Wentworth champion Francesco Molinari were all in the top 20,
the 2016 Masters. but it was Rahm’s finish of four birdies in the final five that really caught the eye
on day one. Rory McIlroy, meanwhile, eagled hole four and birdied five as he
With the BMW PGA Championship moving threatened to put something special together, but a mid-round meltdown saw
to September for the first time in golf’s busy
calendar, the build-up was dominated by big him in danger of missing the cut. Five bogeys erased his quick start, before a
name stars of the game signing up to test out bogey and a double bogey on the finishing pair of par fives saw McIlroy finish
Wentworth’s autumn offering. Americans four over par, 11 shots behind leader Wallace.
Tony Finau and Billy Horschel joined Patrick
Reed in the Surrey countryside, while ten of
the successful European 2018 Ryder Cup
team headed for the West Course. With
European captain Thomas Bjorn, and 2020
captain Padraig Harrington, also in the field,
the Ryder Cup effect was in full flow in Surrey.

“This is our biggest
European event, it’s the one -
you want to be there”

It was fitting, then, that the BMW PGA
Championship was the first qualifying event
for Harrington’s side as they aimed to book
their spots for Whistling Straits next year.
Wentworth will be the focus of Ryder Cup
attention next year, too, as the BMW PGA
2020 is set to be the final event before
Harrington confirms his team.

“This is our biggest European event, it’s the
one you want to be there,” said Harrington
before this year’s tournament. “You’re
guaranteed to get a really strong field, which is DAY TWO
not just important this year, but it will be The blue skies returned on day two along with the huge crowds, and once again,
exceptionally important come this time next all eyes were firmly fixed on Rory to see if he could make the weekend. A solid if
year that we have the best players playing the unspectacular round was capped off with two great pars to secure his spot just
John Deere official partner of Wentworth Club last event [before the Ryder Cup].” inside the cut line, but he would need something spectacular to trouble the
leaders. Matt Wallace’s four over par saw him slip out of contention, while Ernie
Months of preparation left the course looking
Garden tractors, walk-behind and robotic mowing equipment stunning ahead of day one, especially in the Els, Tommy Fleetwood and Martin Kaymer were among the big names to do
incredible September sunshine, and after a
the same after impressive opening rounds. As the light faded on day two, with
20% off RRP for Members only, quote code ‘WC1922’ star-studded Pro-Am on Wednesday, where five players still to complete their round, Willett and Rahm led the way on
the likes of Niall Horan, Harry Redknapp and
eleven under par. The Englishman’s seven under par was the lowest of the day,
Kevin Pietersen took to the fairways alongside and at one point it had looked like it was going to be something even more
golf’s brightest stars, the crowds arrived on
Thursday in anticipation of a wonderful four incredible, after four birdies and an eagle on the front nine saw him reach the
info@farol.co.uk days of action. turn in just 29 shots. The 2016 Masters winner was starting to find some form.
01182 077760 www.farolmowers.co.uk www.WENTWORTHCLUB.COM 13 / The Club

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