Scheffler and McIlroy are the favorites going into this tournament. But Xander Schauffele, Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and others could put up a solid fight. <\/p>\n
Also at stake are positions in the Ryder Cup, the transatlantic showdown between the United States and Europe. Those matches will be next month at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York.<\/p>\n
American players who score well at Caves Valley are sure to draw the attention of team captain Keegan Bradley, who is playing this week. The six players with the most qualifying points will automatically make the team at the conclusion of the BMW Championship. Bradley then has six captain\u2019s picks to round out the squad, and he can also select from players on the LIV Golf tour. He could compete as a player-captain. With a June win in the Travelers Championship and four other top-10 finishes, he sits 10th on the list<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been saying all year you can\u2019t expect to be on the team unless you\u2019re in the top six,\u201d Bradley said. \u201cMy goal is to go out there, whether I was Ryder Cup captain or not this week, and play well and play well next week at the Tour Championship as well.\u201d<\/p>\n Changes to the course Rory McIlroy hits a shot during the Pro-Am prior to the BMW Championship. (Andy Lyons\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n The BMW Championship was in Owings Mills in 2021, and Patrick Cantlay and Bryson DeChambeau torched the course by posting 27 under after four rounds. Cantlay won after six playoff holes. Since then, the Tom Fazio-designed course has undergone major renovations<\/a>. <\/p>\n Multiple holes were changed, including the first, second, fifth, 11th and 17th. But one of the most significant changes was the greens. In previous iterations, Maryland\u2019s humid and seasonal weather resulted in soft terrain with little to no drainage.<\/p>\n All of the former green complexes were ripped up, and after some testing, Kyle Steidel, the course superintendent, chose a heat-resistant blend to help firm the grounds and dry out the greens, according to the PGA Tour\u2019s website<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cSo far this golf course seems really challenging,\u201d said Scheffler, the world\u2019s No. 1-ranked player who won two of the four major championships this year. \u201cWe\u2019ll see how it plays over the course of four days, but it\u2019s in fantastic shape. The greens are really good. Got a decent amount of rough, plenty of pitch on the greens. There\u2019s definitely going to be some challenges out there. It\u2019s a pretty strong test this week.\u201d<\/p>\n McIlroy played in the 2021 tournament and remembers it being one of the first large events after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was really cool to play in that atmosphere,\u201d he said. \u201cI guess they\u2019re anticipating really big crowds this week, and that will be cool to play in front of.\u201d<\/p>\n Ticket info<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking to attend the BMW Championship, there are options for all types of spenders. For those looking just to access the grounds, tickets range from $30 to $115. Public restrooms and concessions are available throughout the grounds. However, seating is first-come, first-served. <\/p>\n For people who want a cooler experience, the air-conditioned Trophy Club sits at the par-3 17th hole and costs $55-$210. <\/p>\n Meanwhile, the Barn and the Harbor Club offer views of the 18th hole. The Barn, priced at $350, is positioned along the fairway and offers unlimited alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. The Harbor Club offers unlimited food and beverages, along with air conditioning and a parking pass for the hospitality lot per two tickets purchased. <\/p>\n For the most expensive tickets, the Bay Club is positioned along the 18th and 11th fairways for $1,250 (it also comes with a bar, dining from Atlas Restaurant Group, covered outdoor seating and a VIP valet parking pass for every two tickets purchased). <\/p>\n Children under 15 are given complimentary access to the event if their parent or caregiver has a ticket. Active duty, active reserve, veterans and military retirees are also granted complimentary access and should visit the BMW Championship website.<\/a><\/p>\n What to know if you go<\/p>\n Pack your sunscreen if you\u2019re planning to attend the tournament. It\u2019s forecast to be sunny and warm with temperatures in the high 80s through Saturday and the low 90s for the final round Sunday.<\/p>\n For those planning on using a rideshare app such as Uber or Lyft, the address to the designated drop-off\/pick-up location is 2716 Caves Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117. <\/p>\n Park Heights Avenue will be closed between Walnut Avenue and Caves Road each day of the tournament from 5 a.m.-7 p.m.<\/p>\n There is no public parking right next to the course. Spectators can park at the Owings Mills Metro Centre and take a shuttle to the grounds.<\/p>\n If you plan on walking the grounds, you should plan the holes where you want to set up. Both golfers and the course are expecting a large turnout, so researching where you want to stand will help navigate the area. <\/p>\n Small bags (about the size of a compact purse) are permitted on the grounds. The dimensions allowed for clear bags are larger. <\/p>\n Phones must be on silent at all times. Texting is allowed across the course, but phone calls must be taken in designated areas<\/a>. While you can capture videos, photos and audio recordings, camera flashes must be turned off. The PGA also prohibits livestreaming and play-by-play coverage. <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/B74PPRLT7JBBNAKRDLBO4A6T7I.jpg\")
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