History of BMW Championship (PGA Tour) in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: August 13, 2025

The BMW Championship is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour, serving as the second-to-last event in the FedEx Cup playoffs. Established in 2007, it evolved from the Western Open, retaining the Western Golf Association as its organizer. Notably, the PGA Tour recognized it as the Tournament of the Year for three consecutive years (2012-2014). It is the longest-running regular PGA Tour event, excluding the four major tournaments.

1991: Cog Hill Hosts Western Open

In 1991, Cog Hill Golf & Country Club began its run hosting the Western Open.

2006: Final Year of the Western Open

In 2006, The Western Open concluded its run after being played since 1899. The Western Golf Association (WGA) had been running the Western Open throughout its entire history (1899–2006), and continues to run the tournament under its new title, the BMW Championship.

2007: Inauguration of the BMW Championship

In 2007, the BMW Championship was introduced as the penultimate FedEx Cup playoff event on the PGA Tour schedule, previously known as the Western Open.

2011: Rotating Host Courses Since 2011

Since 2011, the BMW Championship has not been held at the same course in consecutive years, moving throughout the Midwest and occasionally to Colorado and the Mid-Atlantic region.

2012: BMW Championship Named PGA Tour Tournament of the Year

In 2012, the PGA Tour recognized the BMW Championship as its Tournament of the Year, marking one of three consecutive years it received this honor.

2013: BMW Championship Named PGA Tour Tournament of the Year

In 2013, the PGA Tour named the BMW Championship its Tournament of the Year for the second consecutive time.

2014: BMW Championship Named PGA Tour Tournament of the Year

In 2014, the PGA Tour recognized the BMW Championship as its Tournament of the Year, making it the third consecutive year it received this accolade.

2022: FedEx Cup Qualification Change

Through 2022, the BMW Championship was open to the leading top 70 FedEx Cup points earners on the PGA Tour following the FedEx St. Jude Championship. After 2022, the field was reduced to the top 50.