AP McCoy will be back at Wentworth playing alongside fellow household horse racing names Mick Fitzgerald and double Grand National winner Carl Llewellyn.
Meanwhile, from the world of rowing, five times Olympic gold medallist Sir Steve Redgrave and quadruple Olympic gold medallist Sir Matthew Pinsent will be swapping boats for birdies to take their places in the all-star BMW PGA Celebrity Pro-Am line-up.
AP McCoy, riding Shutthefrontdoor, rode a fantastic race at Aintree and thought, at one point, that he might realise the dream of winning his last Grand National. However, the pre-race favourite, who contended throughout and was second to eventual winner Many Clouds coming off the penultimate fence, faded in the final stages and eventually finished fifth.
Looking ahead to the BMW PGA Celebrity Pro-Am, McCoy commented: “Having played at the event for a number of years it’s amazing how it continues to grow every year – having a place in the line-up is incredibly sought after. It’s a real privilege to have the unique opportunity to play with the pros at such a landmark and amazing venue in their sport, it’s the equivalent of giving another sportsman the chance to ride around Aintree on a horse with me!”
He continued: “I can’t wait to play alongside some fellow world-class sportsmen in front of some great crowds. They really help make this event such a monumental success. I can also see if I’ll need to dedicate a lot more time to golf in my retirement!”
Jamie Birkmyre, Championship Director of the BMW PGA Championship, said: “We’re delighted that AP, Mick, Carl, Sir Steve and Sir Matthew will be part of the BMW PGA Championship Celebrity Pro-Am next month. After such a great weekend of British sport, the countdown to the British sporting summer is now on and it’s great that we continue to attract such a raft of high profile names for the event who showcase the tournament to a wider sporting audience.
“The Celebrity Pro-Am is a fantastic family day out as under 16s can come for free if accompanied by a paying adult, with a maximum of four kids per adult. These are just the first of many celebrities we have lined up for the Pro-Am, and we will announce some more big names over the next couple of weeks.”
Tickets for the BMW PGA Celebrity Pro-Am day are still available, via www.bmwpga.com, or via the ticket hotline on 0800 023 2557.
The Championship’s successful Park and Ride will once again be in operation and will run from two locations: Broomhall Farm in Sunningdale, which will carry traffic from the South and East; and Ascot Racecourse, which will carry traffic from the North and West. The Park and Ride will run a free shuttle bus service to Wentworth Club every five minutes, direct to the entrance of the Championship Village.
