World number three Rory McIlroy is back in the BMW PGA Championship for the first time in three years.
The tournament, which takes place in Wentworth in early September, is one of the flagship events of the DP World Tour with a prize pool of £6.6 million.
“I can’t wait to compete in the BMW PGA Championship again,” said Florida-based McIlroy.
“It’s an event I love to play – the West Course has been good for me in the past and the fans are very supportive.”
The event is one of only four on the tour with a similar prize fund and is surpassed only by the £8.2million DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
And, with both the former European Tour and its American counterpart, the PGA Tour, embroiled in an increasingly acrimonious battle with the Saudi-backed breakaway LIV Golf Series, McIlroy’s appearance in Surrey offers a welcome boost in the arm.
“I’ve had a consistent year so far and having a chance to win again at the iconic Wentworth would help my one-season campaign,” added McIlroy, who has been a vocal opponent of LIV Golf.
The four-time Major winner and 2014 Wentworth champion was in contention for the 150th Open Championship title last week until the final two holes. He is joined by a star-studded group of other top winners.
Defending US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick is confirmed alongside the man he filed Jon Rahm with 2016 Masters winner Danny Willett, defending BMW PGA champion Billy Horschel and winner 2020 Tyrrell Hatton all set to compete.