Hovland Hoping to Strike
Viktor Hovland closed with a 65 in the Tour Championship on Sunday – ending his PGA Tour season on a high – and the Norwegian youngster is 8/1 favourite for the BMW PGA Championship.
That finishing flourish at East Lake Golf Club, Atlanta, Georgia, meant Hovland was the fourth-best scorer of the Tour Championship and he took fifth spot in the FedEx Cup.
Among the crowd. Over a tree .. and IN?!
Magic from Viktor Hovland.
pic.twitter.com/OyA3LAw77E
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 2, 2021
His last start in a regulation European Tour event resulted in victory in the BMW International Open, so the 23-year-old is seeking a BMW double at Wentworth this week.
The weather forecast for the Virginia Water, Surrey, event is decent – there does not seem to be any draw bias and the best players will have no excuses for not performing well – but maybe mental fatigue will scupper the chances of the market leader obliging.
Hovland has just competed in all three FedEx Cup playoff events – 12 intense rounds with huge amounts of money on the line – and this trip to England is a test of stamina.
Solid Lowry May Land Overdue BMW PGA Title
Shane Lowry has been a regular Wentworth contender without ever getting his hands on the trophy.
This could be the week when the popular Irishman finally gets the job done and the 14/1 against his name looks a fantastic bet.
All smiles for one of my favourite weeks of the year…. @bmwpga
#RolexSeries #BMWPGA pic.twitter.com/QX9OTGfONr
— Shane Lowry (@ShaneLowryGolf) September 7, 2021
The 2019 Open champion can boast eight top-15 finishes from his last ten BMW PGA starts.
He was fourth in 2011, runner-up in 2014 and sixth in both 2015 and 2017.
Dry, fast greens this week will make scrambling difficult, but Lowry’s magic hands allow him to approach the task with more confidence than most.
Since the Players Championship in March, big Shane has been in rock-solid form, finishing eighth at Sawgrass, fourth in the US PGA Championship, sixth in the Memorial and 12th in the Open.
He also played well through the first two legs of the FedEx Cup playoffs, but failed to qualify for the Tour Championship, affording a timely pre-Wentworth breather.
His second daughter was born during the Tour Championship and a cheerful Lowry can secure Ryder Cup qualification on Sunday to complete a fabulous fortnight.
Bland Looks an Exciting Each-Way Option
Richard Bland has been in the form of his life on the European Tour this season and the accurate veteran is an appealing each-way option at 60/1 for BMW glory.
Bland made his Tour breakthrough at the age of 48 in the British Masters in May – and he has continued to impress since his Belfry heroics.
Third place in the Made In Himmerland was followed by an incredible effort in the US Open at Torrey Pines, where he co-led after two rounds.
Fourth place in the Irish Open next time out was followed by third spot in the Cazoo Classic and a share of fifth last week in the Italian Open.
Bland finished fifth in the 2006 BMW at Wentworth and can contend again this time.
*All odds correct at time of writing.
