Aaron Rai and Joakim Lagergren share the BMW PGA Championship lead after opening 66s, while Rory McIlroy faded late with a 3-under 69.
Aaron Rai and Joakim Lagergren set the early pace Thursday at the 2026 BMW PGA Championship, each firing a 6-under 66 at Wentworth while Rory McIlroy let a promising opening round slip away late.
Rai and Lagergren handled the swirling wind better than most and finished one shot ahead of Adam Scott, Ludvig Åberg, Ryan Gerard and Nacho Elvira, who each opened with 67s.
Rai’s round featured seven birdies and only one bogey, an encouraging performance for a player still searching for another top-10 finish since winning the PGA Championship at Aronimink in May.
“I felt like I got into the round fast and got a couple birdies early on,” Rai said. “I continued to just play well throughout the round and keep the momentum going when I was out of position.”
Lagergren matched him with a 66 that included an eagle at the par-5 12th. The Swede played Wentworth’s par 5s in 4 under and strengthened his position in the Race to Dubai with six events remaining before the postseason.
McIlroy looked ready to challenge for the lead after carrying momentum from an unofficial 60 in Wednesday’s pro-am.
He opened his competitive round with five birdies on his first nine holes and reached 5 under before things unraveled. Trouble off the tee sent him into trees, a bunker and water during the closing stretch, leading to three bogeys and a 3-under 69.
“Good way to put it - a stumble home,” McIlroy said. “I wish I was standing here a couple of shots better.”
Still, McIlroy saw progress after struggling with his putter at the Irish Open.
“I brought that feeling for the most part into today and [I’m] a bit disappointed with the way I finished,” he said. “But still a good score to build on and some very good signs in the game.”
Adam Scott also came within one shot of the lead despite an errant drive out of bounds at the par-5 17th. He recovered with a bogey and then birdied the 18th to shoot 67.
Jon Rahm endured the roughest day among the marquee names. Rahm made only one birdie while shooting a 6-over 78, matching his highest score in a non-major DP World Tour event since 2021.
With Rai and Lagergren setting the standard, the BMW PGA Championship already has a crowded leaderboard — and plenty of star power within striking distance.
