BMW Championship preview: TV times and betting tips

We’re down to the last 70 players – well, 69 after Webb Simpson’s WD – of the 2020 PGA Tour season. Only 30 will advance to the Tour Championship and a shot at the huge jackpot. Here’s everything you need to know about this week’s BMW Championship…

BMW Championship details

Venue: Olympia Fields, Illinois, USA

Date: August 27-30, 2020

Course stats: Par 70; 7,366 yards

Course summary: Olympia Fields’ North course has hosted some big events in its history, including four major championships. As one of the longest Par 70 courses on the PGA Tour, this will be a stiff test for players hoping to make the Tour Championship next week. Players will be looking to navigate around Butterfield Creek, which winds its way through many of the holes, whilst trying to make a fast start on the opening par 5.

Purse: $9.25 million

Defending champion: Justin Thomas (-25)

BMW Championship field

Webb Simpson, 3rd in the FedEx Cup standings, withdrew to prepare for the season-ending Tour Championship.

Dustin Johnson
Justin Thomas
Daniel Berger
Collin Morikawa
Harris English
Bryson DeChambeau
Sungjae Im
Jon Rahm
Patrick Reed
Xander Schauffele
Rory McIlroy
Brendon Todd
Scottie Scheffler
Lanto Griffin
Sebastián Muñoz
Tyrrell Hatton
Hideki Matsuyama
Abraham Ancer
Marc Leishman
Kevin Na
Ryan Palmer
Kevin Kisner
Viktor Hovland
Cameron Champ
Cameron Smith
Adam Long
Kevin Streelman
Tony Finau
Billy Horschel
Joaquin Niemann
Tyler Duncan
Matthew Wolff
Mark Hubbard
Byeong Hun An
Mackenzie Hughes
Patrick Cantlay
Adam Scott
Gary Woodland
Nick Taylor
Joel Dahmen
Danny Lee
Tom Hoge
Richy Werenski
Brendan Steele
Brian Harman
Alex Noren
Harry Higgs
Adam Hadwin
Jason Day
Michael Thompson
Talor Gooch
Andrew Landry
Corey Conners
Matt Kuchar
Carlos Ortiz
Tiger Woods
Bubba Watson
Dylan Frittelli
Matthew Fitzpatrick
Russell Henley
Robby Shelton
Jim Herman
Paul Casey
J.T. Poston
Jason Kokrak
Maverick McNealy
Max Homa
Charles Howell III
Louis Oosthuizen

BMW Championship TV coverage

Thursday: Sky Sports Golf from 8pm and Sky Sports Main Event from 10pm

Friday: Sky Sports Golf from 8pm and Sky Sports Main Event from 9.30pm

Saturday: Sky Sports Golf at 5pm and Sky Sports Main Event at 8.15pm

Sunday: Sky Sports Golf at 5pm and Sky Sports Main Event at 7pm

BMW Championship betting: Each-way tips

Viktor Hovland (45/1 with bet365) finished off his tournament at the Northern Trust in style, carding a 5-under-par 66. The Norwegian is currently ranked 24th in the FedEx Cup and will surely be fancying his chances to make it to the Tour Championship. Despite not being the longest hitter off the tee he ranks 18th in SG: Tee to Green, supplementing his power with accuracy. Hovland also possesses a strong approach game, where he currently ranks 8th on tour, so this should set up scoring opportunities. Six top-20 finishes in his last nine starts means he represents each-way value here.

Despite an horrific third-round 77 which killed all momentum when in a great position last week, I am sticking with Matthew Wolff (45/1). After three impressive rounds at the Northern Trust, totalling a combined 14-under-par, I am ready to write it off his blip as a bad day at the office. This course should also better suit Wolff, who ranks 9th in Driving Distance. Sitting just outside the top-30 in the FedEx Cup standings, Wolff will be looking for a big performance this week to guarantee a place at East Lake. If he can find his PGA Championship form here this week, he’ll go very close.

Cameron Champ (80/1) demonstrated his quality on the main stage when securing a T10 finish at the PGA Championship and Olympia Fields suits his length off the tee. His impressive long game, ranking 2nd only to Bryson DeChambeau in Diving Distance, will be an advantage here and with a 68% GIR average he will certainly give himself opportunities to score. The putter has been his Achilles heel at times this season, but impressive recent performances demonstrate he has the ability to convert when on form. This is a huge price for a player who went close at the first major of the season and I will be investing.

BMW Championship betting: The long shot

Ryan Palmer (90/1) followed on from a closing 64 at the PGA Championship with four rounds in the 60s at the Northern Trust. After securing a T8 finish in Boston, Palmer now sits 22nd in the FedEx Cup standings and will be looking to conjure a similar performance to cement his place at this year’s Tour Championship. Having already claimed a runner-up finish at this year’s Memorial, which is held at a similarly long and challenging Muirfield Village, Palmer certainly has what it takes to navigate this course. As a steady and consistent player who seems to regularly finish tournaments well, Palmer is a great value each-way bet this week.

BMW Championship betting: Top tip

Xander Schauffele (18/1) has been one of the most consistent players on the PGA Tour since the restart. Three top 10s and three top 20s in eight events outlines how well he is playing at the moment, and after a steady T25 finish last week Schauffele may be ready to pounce. As you would expect from a player of his consistency, Shauffele ranks 7th in SG: Total and has some of the most impressive stats on the PGA Tour. As one of the outsiders in the favourites betting market, he certainly represents value against some of the other contenders and I can see him going close here to set up a favourable position for the Tour Championship.

For more prices, visit bet365.

Follow NCG on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram – and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest equipment and golf course reviews and exclusive interviews.