Jon Rahm Opens With 78 at BMW PGA Championship to Leave Cut in Doubt

Jon Rahm will need a significant improvement on Friday to survive the cut at the BMW PGA Championship after opening with a six-over-par 78 at Wentworth.

The Spaniard, one of the biggest names in the field for the DP World Tour's flagship event, made three bogeys and a double bogey on his front nine and never recovered.

Rai and Lagergren Set the Pace

Aaron Rai and Joakim Lagergren of Sweden lead on six under after both signed for 66 in windy conditions on the West Course.

Rai, who won the PGA Championship earlier this year, made seven birdies against a single bogey and was particularly strong with his approach play. The Englishman is attempting to become the first home winner of the tournament since Tyrrell Hatton in 2020.

Adam Scott sits a shot back on five under after a 67, alongside Ryan Gerard, Ludvig Aberg and Nacho Elvira. The Australian, who played in the tougher afternoon wave, bogeyed the 17th after a wayward drive before responding with a birdie at the last.

"I would say that was one of my best rounds, tee to green this year," Scott said. "Not really sure why, just a nice tee shot off the first, kind of calmed any nerves and then went about my business from there. It's a nice way to play Wentworth when there's low stress. I know I'm going to have to dig deep to hang in there this week."

Patrick Reed, who leads the Race to Dubai, was among 12 players tied for seventh after a 68, with Viktor Hovland, Ryan Fox and Robert MacIntyre alongside him.

McIlroy Stumbles Home

Rory McIlroy had looked set to challenge at the top before a poor finish. The Masters champion reached five under after ten holes, briefly holding the outright lead, having shot a 60 in the celebrity pro-am the previous day.

He then found the trees, a bunker and the water on his front nine, dropping shots at each, and three bogeys in his final six holes left him with a 69 and a share of 19th.

"Good way to put it, a stumble home," McIlroy said. "I wish I was standing here a couple of shots better."

The round leaves him three off the lead and still well placed. His wider objective this week is the Race to Dubai, where Reed extended his advantage with a runner-up finish at the Irish Open last week.

"I am excited," McIlroy said. "Obviously this week is a really big week. A lot of points on offer."

A Long Way Back for Rahm

Rahm's position is more precarious. Six over leaves him among the tail of the 144-man field, and the cut falls after Friday's second round.

Justin Rose also struggled, particularly on the greens, but recovered from three over through 14 holes to finish at one over thanks to birdies at the 17th and 18th. Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Fitzpatrick and Brooks Koepka are all well down the leaderboard.

Alex Noren returns as defending champion, having won his second title at the venue last year in a play-off against Adrien Saddier.