Three Geordie giants will compete in the BMW PGA Championship Celebrity Pro-Am on Wednesday May 20, playing alongside an all-star celebrity line-up and some of the greatest names in golf.
Premier League record goalscorer Alan Shearer will be making his second appearance in the Celebrity Pro-Am, but he will have to keep a close eye on last night’s double Bafta award winners, TV presenting duo Ant & Dec, who will be making their debuts playing alongside the former Newcastle striker at Wentworth Club, Surrey.
One of the most highly anticipated celebrity events in golf, and the curtain-raiser for England’s most prestigious tournament of the year, the BMW PGA Celebrity Pro-Am regularly attracts a stellar line-up of celebrities from the worlds of sport, music, television and entertainment.
Guiding the celebrity trio around Wentworth’s iconic West Course will be former World Number One and Ryder Cup star Lee Westwood.
Speaking about the prospect of playing with Ant, Dec and Alan, Westwood commented: “The BMW PGA Pro-Am is always a lot of fun, and this year should be great with Alan, Ant and Dec as my playing partners. I know all three guys pretty well so I’m sure there will be a bit of banter flying around, and it will be a nice, relaxed day before the serious business starts on Thursday.”
Team Westwood will require nerves of steel when teeing off in front of huge crowds at the Surrey course.
They always get big crowds and a good atmosphere at Wentworth, and I’m sure this year will be no different.
Lee Westwood
Ant commented: “We know how prestigious the BMW PGA Championship is as the European Tour’s flagship event, so the opportunity to play in the Pro-Am alongside our good friend Lee Westwood is going to be amazing.”
Dec said: “Not only do we get to play alongside one of the best golfers in the world, but we’re also playing with Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer, who has always been a hero of ours. It’ll be a great day and we can’t wait.”
Westwood is one of the latest golfing greats to confirm his participation in this year’s BMW PGA Championship, adding to a world-class field for 2015 that includes defending champion Rory McIlroy, US Open Champions Justin Rose and Martin Kaymer, and fellow 2014 Ryder Cup stars Graeme McDowell, Thomas Bjørn, Stephen Gallacher and Jamie Donaldson.
Westwood added: “I’ve come close to winning the tournament a couple of times and the changes Ernie made to the course have probably improved my chances, so I don’t see any reason why I can’t have another good week.
“They always get big crowds and a good atmosphere at Wentworth, and I’m sure this year will be no different."
Other celebrities already confirmed to play in the Pro-Am include One Direction’s Niall Horan and several legends from the world of football, including Paul Scholes, Phil Neville, Kenny Dalglish, Jamie Redknapp, Graeme Souness, Teddy Sheringham, David Ginola and Gianfranco Zola. A further line-up of A-list stars will be announced in due course.
Jamie Birkmyre, Championship Director of the BMW PGA Championship said: “The BMW PGA Celebrity Pro-Am has become a real highlight and an incredibly popular curtain raiser for the European Tour’s flagship event. It promises to be another fantastic day with a number of new celebrities taking on the challenge of Wentworth’s stunning West Course.
“The players can expect a great reception from the thousands of spectators who come to watch them play. Both the professionals and celebrities put on a wonderful show for the fans, who are treated to a superb blend of world-class golf and entertainment in a relaxed and informal environment.”
Advance tickets, with a discount on the gate price, are available for the Practice Day on Tuesday May 19; the Celebrity Pro-Am on Wednesday May 20 and all four days of the Championship from May 21-24.
To purchase tickets, please call the ticket hotline on 0800 023 2557, or visitwww.bmwpga.com
A limited number of hospitality packages are also available. For more information or to book packages, please call Michael Godfrey on 01344 840562 or email:mgodfrey@europeantour.com
