A high-class field of 144 will tee up on the West Course at Wentworth Club this week for the BMW PGA Championship - the DP World Tour's flagship event - and the Racing Post’s Steve Palmer has three selections to follow.
Rory McIlroy is 9/1 favourite, despite sharing 41st place in the Irish Open last week, a disappointing performance in front of adoring galleries. The world number two is seeking to win at Wentworth for a second time, having triumphed in 2014.
Tommy Fleetwood is second in the betting at 11/1. Last year's Tour Championship victor has not lifted a trophy this season, so the Englishman will be keen to compete on home turf over the next four days.
Jon Rahm was grilled on LIV Golf matters in his Wentworth media conference, but the Spaniard can soon get some peace on the golf course, and the two-time Major champion is 12/1 for BMW PGA glory. He is a two-time runner-up in this event.
Shane Lowry, who won the Irish Open in fine style last Sunday, is 16/1 to follow up with a second Wentworth success. Lowry's record on the West Course is superb and he will expect to contend again after the spectacular form he showed at Trump International in Doonbeg last week.
The action starts at 07:10 BST on Thursday. Cloudy, calm conditions are forecast, so plenty of birdies can be expected.
BMW PGA Championship Tips Summary
Best Bet - Joaquin Niemann to win and each-way @ 18/1
Alternative Bet - Justin Rose to win and each-way @ 30/1
Alternative Bet - Matt Wallace to win and each-way @ 35/1
BMW PGA Championship Prediction
Joaquin Niemann each-way @ 18/1
A first-round 65 was a brilliant return to action for Joaquin Niemann in the Irish Open last week and the Chilean ace brings red-hot form to Wentworth.
Niemann topped the greens-in-regulation statistics in round one in Ireland, showcasing the pristine condition of his swing, and a share of second place at Trump International on Sunday provides an ideal warm-up for the BMW PGA.
Niemann made a slow start on his Wentworth debut last year, but fired a Saturday 65 to rocket up the leaderboard, eventually finishing 20th. Expect better this time from a player who has won twice on the LIV circuit this year, as well as finishing seventh in the US Open.
Alternative Bet: Justin Rose each-way @ 30/1
Since 2001, Justin Rose has been on a quest to win the PGA Championship - a tournament he attended regularly as a kid - and the Surrey-based veteran is guaranteed huge support at Wentworth this week.
The Rose A-game is still good enough to win anything, as he has shown over the last few years with bold bids for the Green Jacket and the Claret Jug, and the 46-year-old has developed a habit of saving his best form for the biggest events. A first BMW PGA title would be high on Rose's list of targets, so he will have prepared thoroughly.
Rose is a two-time BMW PGA runner-up and some stellar iron-play in the FedEx Cup playoffs suggests he may go one better this week.
Alternative Bet: Matt Wallace each-way @ 35/1
Wentworth is a regular practice base for Londoner Matt Wallace and that local knowledge can help the five-time DP World Tour winner make a huge impact in the BMW PGA.
Wallace has twice finished second this year - in the Texas Open in April and in the Italian Open in June - and he has been consistently appearing on leaderboards since becoming a father in July.
A closing 66 in the Irish Open last week hints that Wallace is ready to contend for BMW PGA glory.
Key BMW PGA Championship Stats
The West Course is a 7,267-yard, par-72, with four par-fives
A field of 144 players is going to post and the top 65 and ties make the halfway cut
The course record is 62, which has been carded by three different players
There are nine course winners in the field, including dual champions Luke Donald and Alex Noren
The West Course has hosted this event every year since 1984
A $1.5m cheque will be going to the BMW PGA winner on Sunday
Read more golf betting tips and predictions on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
