The future of the 2022 BMW PGA Championship is now seriously in doubt following news of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11.
Play in round one of the $18m championship was immediately halted around 6.30pm local time and with some 30 players still to complete their opening round on the host West Course at Wentworth.
The DP World Tour is yet to issue a full statement but did use their social media accounts to reveal the intention to cease play and also to suspend play on Friday.
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) September 8, 2022
Around 9pm (UK time) BMW also issued a statement saying:
BMW PGA Championship suspended.
Wentworth. On behalf of all our employees in the UK and around the world, the BMW Group would like to express our deep sadness at the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Out of respect for Her Majesty and the Royal Family, play was suspended at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club on Thursday afternoon. Furthermore, the European Tour Group has announced that no play will take place at the BMW PGA Championship on Friday and the golf course and practice facilities will be closed.
At this time of national and international mourning, we extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the members of The Royal Family.
The Tour’s and BMW statements, and what may transpire tomorrow (Thursday), seriously places in doubt any further play in the $18m championship.
A siren was sounded around 6.30pm local time and with some 30 players still to complete their opening round on the host West Course at Wentworth.
Those still on the course naturally believed the stoppage was due to impending poor weather conditions however Tour officials were on hand to advise of Her Majesty’s passing.
England’s Eddie Pepperell was among those players out on the course when play was suspended and like all, he was not aware of the worldwide breaking news story.
“It’s something that has never happened and it’s bizarre, isn’t it?” he said.
“Obviously we all assumed it was lightning and we were looking up and thought it had looked worse out there.
“But then one of the referees came over and told us. He said that we could finish the hole or you don’t have to but we probably wouldn’t be here tomorrow, so I actually did hit my next shot as the weather might be different in a couple of days’ time and I had quite a tough shot.
“Someone was telling me they’d had a message a few hours ago (about The Queen’s situation) but I didn’t know anything. Yeah, it does put it into perspective, doesn’t it?”
