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Marcus Helligkilde leads the BMW PGA Championship at the Wentworth Club after a blistering 8-under round of 64 on Thursday.
All 12 members of the European Ryder Cup team are playing in the event, and Matthew Fitzpatrick has performed the best of the group as he sits in a tie for second at 6-under. Scottish golfer Richie Ramsay is also tied for second thanks to his round of 66.
A group of eight players, headlined by Adrian Meronk, are three shots back in a tie for fourth. In this article, we’ll provide updated odds and take you through the best highlights from round one.
BMW PGA Championship leaderboard
Contents
| Position/Player | Score | Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) Marcus Helligkilde | -8 | F | 64 | – | – | – | 64 |
| (T2) Matthew Fitzpatrick | -6 | F | 66 | – | – | – | 66 |
| (T2) Richie Ramsay | -6 | F | 66 | – | – | – | 66 |
| (T4) Adrian Meronk | -5 | F | 67 | – | – | – | 67 |
| (T4) Connor Syme | -5 | F | 67 | – | – | – | 67 |
| (T4) James Morrison | -5 | F | 67 | – | – | – | 67 |
| (T4) Jorge Campillo | -5 | F | 67 | – | – | – | 67 |
| (T4) Matthew Baldwin | -5 | F | 67 | – | – | – | 67 |
| (T4) Pablo Larrazabal | -5 | F | 67 | – | – | – | 67 |
| (T4) Rikuya Hoshino | -5 | F | 67 | – | – | – | 67 |
| (T4) Thomas Detry | -5 | F | 67 | – | – | – | 67 |
Memorable moments from round one
This section will showcase the key highlights from Thursday.
Helligkilde finishes the day on a heater
The 232nd-ranked player in the world caught fire at the end of his round and birdied the final three holes to take the solo lead. Helligkilde recorded an impressive ten birdies on Thursday on his way to earning his best single-day score on the DP World Tour.
Despite the attention being on the Ryder Cup members, the Smørumnedre, Denmark native outshined all 12 players. The 26-year-old is searching for his first win on the circuit, with his best finish (second) coming at the Korea Championship earlier this season in late April.
My favorite quote of the day comes from Marcus Helligkilde, the first-round leader of the @BMWPGA: 🇩🇰
Question: 64 is what it took to lead the first round last year. We didn’t think it might be on the cards out there, especially how much tougher the course is playing. Tell us… pic.twitter.com/wtTHaagVfw
— Jack Milko (@jack_milko) September 14, 2023
Matt Fitzpatrick continues fine form
After a whirlwind 2022-2023 campaign, which featured an injury, a win at the RBC Heritage and missed cuts, Matt Fitzpatrick finished the PGA Tour schedule (previous two starts) with a T2 at the BMW Championship, followed by a T9 at the Tour Championship.
A 66 today at Wentworth for Matt Fitzpatrick, who is playing some excellent golf leading up to Rome.
Last 13 worldwide rounds:
12 scores in the 60s
43-under-par
+2.44 strokes gained total per round— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) September 14, 2023
His confidence has remained in Surrey, England, this week thanks to his 6-under card on Thursday. The Sheffield, England product began his round with four birdies in the first six holes and finished it with an 18-foot birdie on the 18th.
Matt Fitzpatrick catches an extremely fortunate break off a tree with his tee shot on 16. 😅
📺: Golf Channel & @peacock | @ROLEX | #ROLEXSeries pic.twitter.com/0QFzcNCS0o
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) September 14, 2023
How are Europe’s Ryder Cup members performing?
Fitzpatrick is ahead of all 11 of his teammates, with young Swede Ludvig Aberg (4-under) and Englishman Tyrrell Hatton (4-under) trailing him by two strokes.
🇪🇺 How team Europe shapes up, after Round 1 at Wentworth ⛳️#BMWPGA #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/iv947IjFAG
— BMW PGA Championship (@BMWPGA) September 14, 2023
World No. 2 and 3 McIlroy and Rahm have work to do
Both McIlroy and Rahm are on pace to make the cut but need to get things rolling if they are to contend come the weekend. McIlroy shot an even par round of 72 while Rahm went 1-under (71).
Last year, McIlroy and Rahm were close to victory, losing to Shane Lowry by one stroke and finished tied for second.
🦁 Rory knows how to find the target on the 18th 🎯#BMWPGA #RolexSeries
pic.twitter.com/5LZKybOTuS— BMW PGA Championship (@BMWPGA) September 14, 2023
Updated BMW PGA Championship odds ahead of day 2
Matt Fitzpatrick: +500
Viktor Hovland: +700
Tyrrell Hatton: +1100
Tommy Fleetwood: +1400
Ludvig Åberg: +1400
Marcus Helligkilde: +1600
Adrian Meronk: +1600
Thomas Detry: +2000
Jon Rahm: +2200
Shane Lowry: +2200
Rory McIlroy: +2500
Alexander Björk: +2500
Tom Kim: +3500
Richie Ramsay: +3500
Connor Syme: +4000
Aaron Rai: +4000
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