2025 BMW PGA Championship Thursday TV coverage: How to watch Round 1

The 2025 BMW PGA Championship opens Thursday at Wentworth with Ryder Cup stars including Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland teeing off. TV coverage begins 7 a.m. ET. Betting angle: McIlroy’s recent form and heavy-hitter groupings make top-10 and head-to-head markets attractive; consider backing McIlroy in matchups or mixing top-10 bets with in-play wagers as leaders emerge early in the round.

BMW PGA Championship: Round 1 Preview and How to Watch

The 2025 BMW PGA Championship gets underway Thursday morning at Wentworth in Surrey, England. This week’s field reads like a Ryder Cup training ground, with Europe’s biggest names preparing for match play while chasing a bigger prize purse. Coverage begins at 7 a.m. ET, with Golf Channel on television and a live simulcast available online.

Key Storylines

Rory McIlroy arrives off a momentum-boosting victory at the Amgen Irish Open and has been vocal about Ryder Cup expectations, but his focus remains on performance. The tournament features a stacked leaderboard of European stars — Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, Shane Lowry, Matt Fitzpatrick and others — creating high-stakes matchups that will be closely watched by fans and bettors alike.

Purse and Stakes

This week’s BMW PGA Championship offers a $9 million purse, notably higher than many PGA Tour events on the schedule. That elevated prize money and Ryder Cup implications add urgency to every round, increasing the likelihood top players are fully committed to Wentworth rather than using the week purely for preparation.

Broadcast and Streaming Details

Golf Channel will carry first-round TV coverage on Thursday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET. Viewers can stream the same live feed via NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports App where available.

Notable Round 1 Tee Times (ET)

Below are a selection of marquee pairings to watch during Thursday’s opening round. Tee times are listed in Eastern Time.

3:00 a.m. — Francesco Molinari, Harry Hall, Si Woo Kim
3:35 a.m. — Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Billy Horschel
3:45 a.m. — Hideki Matsuyama, Ludvig Åberg, Matt Fitzpatrick
4:50 a.m. — Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, Paul O’Hara, (additional groupings)
5:00 a.m. — Joe Dean, Calum Hill, Dylan Naidoo
6:00 a.m. — Andy Sullivan, Ugo Coussaud, Alex Fitzpatrick
6:55 a.m. — Bernd Wiesberger, Dean Burmester, Adrian Otaegui
7:05 a.m. — Matti Schmid, Grant Forrest, Adrien Saddier
7:15 a.m. — Danny Willett, Keita Nakajima, Corey Conners
7:25 a.m. — Viktor Hovland, Rasmus Højgaard, Marco Penge
7:35 a.m. — Robert MacIntyre, Tyrrell Hatton, Ryan Fox
7:45 a.m. — Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Jon Rahm

Full tee times extend across the early morning and into mid-morning as the field completes 18 holes. Check official tournament listings for any last-minute adjustments.

Betting Takeaways

- Market focus: With elite names grouped together, head-to-head and match-betting props on marquee pairings offer value for punters who want a single-event focus. - Player form: McIlroy’s recent win suggests strong outright and top-10 potential; consider hedged top-10 bets or matchups where he faces players not in peak form. - In-play strategy: Morning conditions and early leaders will shape Saturday pairings and betting lines; live betting after the front nine can be profitable for responders. - Diversify: Combine outright, top-10 and match-bets to balance risk, especially when backing favorites who may be conserving energy for Ryder Cup preparation.

What to Watch on Day 1

Expect aggressive but calculated play from Ryder Cup contenders aiming to assert early control. Weather and course setup will influence scoring; follow the early groups for clues about pin placements and green speeds. The high-quality pairings and elevated purse make Thursday a must-watch for fans and a key betting window for sharp markets.

How to watch the 2025 BMW PGA Championship on Thursday at Wentworth in England, including full BMW PGA Championship TV coverage.The post 2025 BMW PGA Championship Thursday TV coverage: How to watch Round 1 appeared first on Golf.

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