QUIETLY, the DP World Tour planners might have hit on an Indian Summer that is just what the game in Europe needs. Because a run of tournaments that takes in The Belfry, Crans, somewhere in Ireland, and Wentworth provides big galleries, good courses, great optics, and quality golf.
Nowhere was that more apparent than last week at The K Club when Rory McIlroy drained his 27-foot eagle putt at the 72nd hole and released an explosion of cross-generational hugs and kisses in the galleries that has left the sport bathed in dopamine and good vibes.
An hour later, the home hero completed the 20th victory of his DP World Tour career, and now he heads to his new residence on the Wentworth Estate seeking to complete a unique “home” double with victory in the BMW PGA Championship.
McIlroy’s relocation from Florida to Surrey is significant, and although it has been years in the planning and has nothing to do with the completion of the career grand slam, there seems little doubt that it is a signal that his schedule will be different in the future. The newly acquired green jacket has perhaps given him the freedom to explore his options, and, in the short term, he has already committed to playing in India for the first time next month, and he will also venture down under for the Australian Open in December.
It’s not quite a delayed year-out backpacking, but remember how, in the immediate aftermath of Augusta glory, he struggled with his competitive equilibrium. There is no doubt that it has returned, as the lure of Ryder Cup triumph on American soil has sharpened his focus, and yet, once that quest has ended (whether successful or otherwise), perhaps he is resolved to enjoy life a little more.
That might involve the London base, seeing more of the world, and lining up for the tournaments that define a career with a subtly different approach – a free-wheeling one that allows him to enjoy, rather than endure, the chase for more majors.
The Wentworth Estate is, of course, exceptionally high-end, but it is also undoubtedly peculiar. In its time, it has been home to light entertainment stars Russ Abbott, Diana Dors, and Bruce Forsyth; musicians Elton John and Cliff Richard – but also Uzbek kleptocrats, Russian oligarchs, and the Chilean dictator Agustin Pinochet (who was even put under house arrest there).
Today its residents include Russian banker Peter Aven, the Sultan of Brunei, golfers Thomas Bjorn and Ernie Els, motorsport executive Ron Dennis, cricketer Kevin Pietersen and his pop star wife Jessica Taylor, boxer Prince Naseem Hamed, former Miss World Wilnelia Merced (Forsyth’s widow), and singer Gary Numan (who is convinced his gaff is haunted). It reads less like McIlroy’s new address book for the neighbours and more like the maddest Celebrity Big Brother cast ever.
Luke Donald’s European Ryder Cup line-up is far more straightforward and eleven of them tee it up on Thursday. Back in 2023, ahead of the triumph in Rome, nine of his team finished in the top 20 at this event. The skipper will be hoping this year’s team show similar good form, but do they make the picks?
Shane Lowry
This is the first time the Irishman has been on the right side of 20s since 2020, and while a strong field partially explains that, it is also the case that his form is viewed as not being his best. But he was T13 in the Tour Championship and ranked second for Strokes Gained Tee to Green when he was T15 in last week’s Irish Open. He’s logged a dozen top 20s in 15 Wentworth appearances and was the winner in 2022.
Aaron Rai
The Englishman likes it on layouts designed in traditional style that are among the trees, winning at Muthaiga, Hong Kong and Sedgefield. He’s also got a straightforwardly fine record on the West Course at Wentworth. He was T14th in 2021, second in 2023, and fourth last year. His good memories of the course extend beyond his efforts inside the ropes. As a young boy he met Ernie Els on the putting green when he visited this event, and he also received his first custom-fitted clubs here. He won’t be alone among the field in having such memories of the venue, but it’s another little factor.
Justin Rose
The weather forecast this week is a little rum – sunny spells, plenty of showers, and 30mph wind. Yes: all three and more or less every day. It will put some off a first-round leader punt, but this could be another occasion to ride the late blooming of Justin Rose. We were successfully on him to set a fast pace in the Masters, and it remains the case that he thrives on the big events and is very good at getting himself ready for Thursday. He’s also the type who will stick his chest out when reminded he’s a recent winner, when he recalls his second at the Masters, and when he thinks of the Ryder Cup in two weeks time. He also closed with a 66 last year, so he can go low here.
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