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The BMW Championship returns to Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Maryland this week as the second leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs. The top 50 players on the PGA Tour will compete on a dramatically renovated course that underwent extensive changes following its last championship hosting in 2021.
The Baltimore-area venue received a 103-day renovation that transformed multiple holes and rebuilt every green complex. Players will face new strategic challenges on holes like the lengthened first hole and the redesigned drivable par-4 fifth hole that now features water hazards positioned closer to the putting surfaces.
The championship carries significant implications for FedEx Cup positioning as players battle to advance to the season-ending Tour Championship. Patrick Cantlay claimed victory here in 2021 after a six-hole playoff against Bryson DeChambeau, and this year’s field will navigate the same Tom Fazio-designed layout with enhanced drainage systems and firmer playing conditions.
The BMW Championship at Caves Valley Golf Club represents the penultimate event in the FedEx Cup Playoffs, featuring the top 50 players on the PGA Tour competing at the Tom Fazio-designed course in Owings Mills, Maryland. The tournament serves as a critical juncture for determining which 30 players advance to the season finale.
The BMW Championship dates back to 1899 when it debuted as the Western Open, making it the third-oldest tournament on the PGA Tour schedule behind only the British Open and U.S. Open. This rich heritage spans over 125 years of professional golf history.
BMW has sponsored the tournament since 2007, transforming it into the penultimate event of the FedEx Cup Playoffs. The tournament features a field limited to the top 50 players in the FedEx Cup standings, creating an elite competition atmosphere.
Golf legends including Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods have claimed victory throughout the tournament’s storied history. The current format determines the final 30 players who advance to the Tour Championship in Atlanta.
The 2025 edition offers a $20 million prize purse with a winner’s share of $3.6 million, reflecting its status as one of the tour’s premier events.
Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Maryland, serves as the host venue for the BMW Championship. The Tom Fazio-designed course measures 7,601 yards and plays to a par of 70, presenting significant challenges for the world’s best golfers.
The course is located just outside Baltimore, providing easy access for spectators from the metropolitan area. The facility previously hosted the tournament in 2021, when Patrick Cantlay delivered a memorable putting performance to claim victory.
The par-three 17th hole serves as a featured challenge, offering spectators excellent viewing opportunities. The first player to record a hole-in-one on the 17th hole during tournament play wins a BMW iX M70 electric SUV.
The venue provides multiple hospitality areas, including the BMW Owners’ Pavilion overlooking the 17th green and 18th tee.
BMW’s partnership with the tournament has generated more than $60 million for the Evans Scholars Foundation since 2007, supporting over 4,000 students with full tuition and housing scholarships. The foundation awards scholarships to deserving caddies with outstanding academic performance.
The Gardner Heidrick Pro-Am serves as the Evans Scholars Foundation’s largest fundraising event of the year. This year’s event features notable guests including the Jonas Brothers, who will perform an exclusive live concert.
BMW contributes an additional full four-year Evans Scholarship when any PGA Tour player records a hole-in-one during tournament play. Currently, 1,260 caddies are enrolled as Evans Scholars at 27 leading universities.
The 2021 BMW Championship at Caves Valley helped fund a new Evans Scholars House on the University of Maryland campus, accommodating up to 38 scholars.
The BMW Championship returns to Caves Valley as the second leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs, featuring a $20 million purse and determining which 30 players advance to East Lake. The tournament showcases course modifications, elite competition, and significant stakes for Tour Championship qualification.
The FedEx Cup Playoffs follow a three-tournament format beginning with the FedEx St. Jude Championship. The top 70 players from the regular season qualified for Memphis, with the field narrowing to 50 for the BMW Championship.
Only the top 30 players after the BMW Championship advance to the season finale. The Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club determines the FedEx Cup champion through a starting strokes format based on playoff points.
Points accumulation from the Wyndham Championship through the BMW Championship determines playoff positioning. Players who miss the top 30 cutoff see their seasons end, making every shot crucial at Caves Valley.
Scottie Scheffler enters as the points leader after a dominant regular season. Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele sit among the top contenders following strong performances in Memphis.
Key Contenders:
Rising stars like Ludvig Åberg and Akshay Bhatia look to secure Tour Championship spots. Veterans Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler face pressure to advance after inconsistent seasons.
Players on the bubble include Corey Conners, Denny McCarthy, and Russell Henley. These golfers need strong finishes to crack the top 30 and earn East Lake berths.
Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Maryland presents a 7,601-yard, par-70 layout that favors long hitters. The course features challenging approach shots into elevated greens and strategic bunkering.
Recent course modifications have enhanced drainage and green complexes since the 2021 BMW Championship. The routing remains unchanged, but subtle adjustments to pin positions create new strategic elements.
Course Statistics:
Weather conditions in mid-August typically feature high humidity and afternoon thunderstorms. Players must navigate firm fairways and receptive greens that reward precise iron play over pure distance.
The BMW Championship offers a $20 million purse with the winner receiving $3.6 million. FedEx Cup points are distributed on a 2,000-point scale for the champion, with decreasing amounts down the leaderboard.
Playoff points reset after the BMW Championship, giving all 30 Tour Championship qualifiers mathematical chances at the FedEx Cup. The points leader starts the finale at 10-under par, with subsequent positions receiving fewer strokes.
Prize Distribution:
Television coverage spans NBC, Golf Channel, and ESPN+ throughout the week. Tee times begin early morning to accommodate potential weather delays during the Maryland summer.
