Family man McDowell skipping BMW PGA Championship

Graeme McDowell has decided to skip next week’s BMW PGA Championship so that he can spend more time with his pregnant wife.

The player’s wife, Kristen, is expecting their first child and he has taken the decision to sit out the 60th edition of the Wentworth event.

It will mark the first time in 12 years that the 2010 US Open champion and world number 16 has missed the BMW PGA Championship, which is the European Tour’s flagship tournament.

European Tour chief executive George O'Grady said: "I very much appreciated Graeme taking the time to phone me personally to tell me he wouldn't be at Wentworth.

"But the fact that he wants to spend time with Kristen, who will not be able to travel for the next three months, is entirely understandable."