The 2025 BMW PGA Championship, one of the most prestigious events on the DP World Tour, is currently underway at the iconic Wentworth Club in Virginia Water, England. This week is the 71st edition of the tournament, which has become a flagship event on the Tour for bringing together some of the most elite players from around the globe.

The tournament commenced its first round on Thursday, September 11, marking the 35th stop on this year’s DP World Tour and a pivotal battleground in the closing stretch of the 2025 Race to Dubai. It’s also the fourth event in the Back 9 series, a crucial second phase in the Race to Dubai schedule. The Back 9 encompasses some of the tour’s most historic and high-stakes events, offering some players a chance to climb the rankings as they look to qualify for the season-ending DP World Tour Play-Offs. For others, the series is an opportunity to ensure they retain their playing privileges for the next season. With so much on the line in terms of rankings, exemptions, and season-long status, it’s no surprise that this week’s stop at Wentworth is also very crucial.

Besides an opportunity to earn their way to the top in the Race to Dubai rankings, the 2025 BMW PGA Championship also brings a substantial financial incentive. The total purse for this week stands at $9 million, making it one of the richest non-major events on the DP World Tour calendar. In line with the Tour’s standard prize distribution order, the winner will take home 17 % of the total ($1,530,000), along with 1,335 Race to Dubai points.

Let’s take a complete look at the prize money breakdown for the top 65 players and ties who make it to the weekend:

Beyond the purse, players are also competing for valuable OWGR points, with the winner earning approximately 50.2 points, and there’s also the added reward of an exemption on the DP World Tour for over two seasons and automatic qualification into other major tournaments. In short, a strong finish at Wentworth can reshape a player’s season, or even their career.

As the first round is already almost complete, attention now turns to the moving day, where the pressure intensifies as only the top 65 players and ties will move into the weekend.

A stacked field sets the stage for Moving Day at the 2025 BMW PGA Championship

Despite round one being suspended due to weather conditions, it still delivered a lot of drama. Tom Vaillant, a 23-year-old making his tournament debut, fired an 8-under par round to share the lead with Ryder Cup star Ludvig Åberg. Vaillant, who teed off in the very first group, produced a brilliant 10-birdie round of 64, including six birdies in his final seven holes. Currently ranked 124th in the Race to Dubai, the Frenchman is clearly hitting form when it matters most — his round on Thursday proving he has what it takes to contend with the very best.

The field is also stacked with Team Europe’s Ryder Cup players like Rory McIlroy, who is coming fresh off a win from the 2025 Irish Open last week. McIlroy is currently placed 5 shots behind the leaders after shooting a 3-under round and is placed in the tied 33rd position, while returning champion Billy Horschel, playing his first event in nearly 144 days due to injury, sits at 1-over (tied 106th).

The field also features several American stars from LIV like Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed. Koepka, who has struggled with his form for much of the 2025 season, continues his slump after shooting a disappointing 3-over round on the first day. Reed, on the other hand, is having a stellar season with one win and several top finishes on LIV, and is currently sitting tied with McIlroy at the 33rd position. With play still suspended, the leaderboard remains wide open heading into the weekend, and fans can expect a thrilling showdown.