ESPN.com · May 25, 2016
BMW PGA Championship enters post-McIlroy era
playMichael Collins and Alex Perry talk about the latest news in European golf and the reaction across the pond to Rory McIlroy winning the Irish Open. (3:16)VIRGINIA WATER, England -- The BMW PGA Championship has lost its sparkle.
On May 4, between opening presents and blowing out the 27 candles on his birthday cake, Rory McIlroy decided that, like Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia and Henrik Stenson before him, he wasn't going to play in the European Tour's flagship event, citing a hectic schedule. Justin Rose later pulled out with a back problem.
It means just one player from the world's top 20 -- Masters champion Danny Willett -- will tee it up at Wentworth this week.