Blog#266 Preview BMW Championship

Blog#266 Preview BMW Championship

Caves Valley GC, Owings Mills MD

Aug 14-17, 2025 Purse $20M Par 70

HISTORY

Cave Valley GC is a members owned club opened in 1991. Cost of membership is $100,000 plus $20,000 per year and was rated #47 among America’s best modern courses. It hosted this tournament in 2021, won by Patrick Cantley who defeated Bryson DeChambeau in a 6 hole playoff, Rory came in 4th. Purse was $9.5M.

FAVORITES It would be great to see Rory & Scottie battle it out and be the final group on Sunday, but I have a feeling one of my long-shots will win.

1 S Scheffler (2.4/1) Last week not as his best but almost made birdie on18 to join playoff.

2 R McIlroy (7.5/1) Took last week off for some unknown reason, maybe rested to win?

3 T Fleetwood (18/1) After shots 17&18 last week how can anyone expect him to win?

3 L Aberg (18/1) Par 70 in 1st RD last week, finished 9th, not on his game yet.

5 P Cantlay (20/1) #23 in FedX points but has not been among contenders his year.

5 X Schauffele (20/1) As I have said all year, still think his injured rib is affecting his game.

7 C Young (25/1) Had low final RD last week to finish 5th. He is my best bet to win.

8 J Thomas (28/1) Not playing badly but just nit good enough to win.

8 R Henley (28/1) Has quietly had a very good year, may steal 1.

10 JJ Spahn (30/1) After losing to Rory in a playoff at the Players, wins US Open.

MY LONGSHOTS

7 Ben Griffin (33/1) I picked him to win last week and he started #7, finished 9th.

26 Chris Gotterup(40/1) Played awful last week, #54 of 69, may rebound.

11 Andrew Novak(50/1+) One win and 5 top 10s in 2025 #33 OWGR, 6th at St. Jude.

46 Bud Cauley(50/1+) Looking for 1st win, played way into top 50 finishing 14th at St Jude.

40 Matt Fitzpatrick(40/1) Why do I keep picking him?

37 Kurt Kitayama(50/1+) Missed 7 cuts but at 3M comes from #44 RD2 with 60&65 to win.

19 Patrick Cantlay(20/1) won here in 2021, he is OVERDUE!

10 Harris English(50/1+) Really fell asleep at St Jude, #48.

14 Keegan Bradley(50+) Slim chance to win, but if he does not play well he may decide to stay as Captain of Ryder Cup only, and the USA will win, If he plays, they lose, can’t do both.

48 Rickie Fowler(50/1+) Playing great golf lately, and will create interest in the Fall with a win.

COMMENTARY I think the PGA Tour should be over by Labor Day. Tour Championship should be 5 days of match play on Labor Day weekend when it won’t compete with the NFL. St Jude and BMW would be normal tournament’s.

I am not a big fan of Ryder Cup, but I seem to be in a minority. PGA will make more $ at Beth Page than ever, so there is a strong market for tickets at $750+ per day.