BMW PGA Championship: Golfers who paid respect to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II after her passing during the BMW PGA Championship included Ryder Cup legend Lee Westwood and current captain Luke Donald.
Following the announcement of her passing by Buckingham Palace on Thursday evening, the tournament was immediately put on hold. Play on Friday was also cancelled before the DP World Tour event, which had been shortened to 54 holes, started on Saturday morning at Wentworth.
At 9.50 am, the course observed a two-minute moment of quiet. Staff, caddies, and players joined DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley on the putting green in front of the first tee as the proclamation of King Charles III was broadcast on screens in the Championship Village.
Many golfers chose to wear black attire to express their respect, and black ribbons were made available for people to use. Westwood was one of those golfers who shared his memories of meeting the Queen after his second round.
“The world has lost an incredible lady,” Westwood told Sky Sports. “She always seemed to have time for everybody and, whenever I was in her presence, she always seemed very interested in what everybody else was doing or had to say.
“I always came away from chatting with her with a smile on my face like it was a special moment. To reign for as long as she did, so dignified – she had the respect of everybody.
“You’ve only got to look at the outpouring of emotion and all the nice things people are saying around the world – not just in this country. Just an incredible Queen really. Our Queen.”
Donald visited Her Majesty after participating in Europe’s record-breaking Ryder Cup victory in 2004 and was awarded an MBE for services to golf in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2012.
“She will be remembered as one of the greatest monarchs ever – what she did, how long she reigned,” Donald told Sky Sports. “I was very fortunate to meet her in 2004, went to Buckingham Palace after we won our first Ryder Cup and she just had a great grace about her.
“Just the fact that even up to the last few days she was fulfilling duties – it’s an amazing life that is hard to put into words.”
After finishing his second round at Wentworth late in the afternoon, Rory McIlroy added his homage.
He said: “I think she was dignity, dedication and grace personified. She was a great lady. I had the honour of meeting her once and it was a sad day but also a celebration of her life.
“She provided a steadiness for this country that no other has and I’m sure the scenes over the next few weeks are going to be incredible and as they should be because she was an incredible woman.”
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