Europe's biggest and brightest stars were out and about Thursday at Wentworth as the DP World Tour's flagship event got underway at the 2026 BMW PGA Championship. While the household names lurked, it was the man who raised the biggest trophy of the season who summited the top of the leaderboard following Round 1. PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai cruised to an opening 6-under 66 to command a share of the lead with Joakim Lagergren of Sweden.
Adam Scott sits one stroke behind playing through the more difficult afternoon wave alongside American Ryan Gerard. Patrick Reed and Viktor Hovland sit two back. "Really pleased overall," Rai said.
"Conditions were pretty tricky. We had a lot of rain during that warm up. But by the time it started, the wind had stopped, so that helped to start really well.
I felt like I got into the round fast and got a couple birdies early on and continued to just play well throughout the round and keep the momentum going when I was out of position." Every birdie from Aaron Rai's opening round of 66 (-6) 🐥#BMWPGA | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/Uv11JJkYtV While Rai rose to the top of the leaderboard thanks to seven birdies against one bogey, eyes drift to the game within the game between Reed and Rory McIlroy. The Masters champion opened with a 69, no thanks to three bogeys in his final six holes. This comes a day after McIlroy signed for a 12-under 60 in the pro-am.
With the Race to Dubai on the mind, McIlroy looks to make his move on Reed as the season finale comes into view. Reed extended his lead over the seven-time winner thanks to his runner-up result to Shane Lowry at the Irish Open and is relishing in keeping McIlroy at bay as the fall season progresses. "I am excited," McIlroy said.
"Obviously this week is a really big week. A lot of points on offer. I didn't have the greatest week last week, and Patrick played well, so I dropped a little bit further behind him.
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