This article is part of our DraftKings Euro Tour series.
BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
Location: Virginia Water, Surrey, United Kingdom
Course: Wentworth Club, West Course
Yardage: 7,284
Par: 72
Tournament Preview
The European Tour is in Surrey this week for its flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship. There is plenty of course history with the tournament being held at Wentworth Club since 1984. Wentworth is a tree-lined parkland course with water appearing on only a few holes, with bunker protected greens. The wind is still a factor at the Wentworth even though trees are lining the fairways. Ball strikers have flourished at this course. Recent form will be strongly considered among the ball strikers, as well as course history. The BMW PGA Championship also signals the start of Ryder Cup qualification points.
Key Stats to Winning at Wentworth Club
Driving Accuracy
SG: Tee to Green
SG: Approach
SG: Putting
Past Champions
2018 - Francesco Molinari
2017 - Alex Noren
2016 - Chris Wood
2015 - Byeong-Hun An
2014 - Rory McIlroy
DraftKings Picks (with odds)
Rory McIlroy - $11,900 (6/1)
There are many great options in this top price tier; Tommy Fleetwood and McIlroy stand out to me as the best. Justin Rose is said to have some knee issues, Jon Rahm is a first-timer at Wentworth and Casey is coming back after a win two weeks ago. McIlroy has won this event, and the No. 2 player in the world is rightly the favorite to win again this week.
Francesco Molinari - $9,600 (25/1)
The options in the next price tier are excellent, with names like Tony Finau, Viktor Hovland and Patrick Reed coming across the pond to compete. I am will stick with another known winner at Wentworth, defending champion Molinari. He has been quiet since his T11 at the Open Championship, but he should get it going again this week. Molinari also finished second in 2017 and fifth in 2015 at BMW PGA Championship.
Joost Luiten - $7,800 (66/1)
Luiten has been trending in the right direction since his T32 finish at the Open Championship. He has since finished, T29, T23 and T10 last week at KLM Open. He is accurate off the tee and with approach shots. He ranks third in SG: tee to green. Luiten has seen some success at Wentworth, with his highest finish a T11 in 2015. This week could top that if his putter heats up.
Steven Brown - $6,100 (400/1)
At almost the absolute minimum price you will find Brown. He is along shot no doubt, and I do like James Morrison, as I did last week at $800 more, if you don't want to absorb the risk. Brown does have some enticement — he is a member at Wentworth Club and finished T15 last week at KLM Open. He is a good putter, but can spray it a bit off the tee. Last week he lead the field in greens in regulation. If he can stay dialed in he will be a sneaky play with little to no ownership.
