The South African, who has masterminded a host of changes to the iconic West Course on the outskirts of London, also said the alterations he had made to the layout over the past 12 months meant it was now as good as any major venue in golf.

“This (tournament) is definitely taking the place of the TPC,” Els told Reuters in an interview on the eve of the European Tour’s flagship event.

“At least at the 18th hole there is a bailout area now whereas at the (island green) 17th at Sawgrass there is no bailout and you can lose the tournament there.

“I also feel we’ve got a stronger field here and a classic golf course,” added Els referring to the fact that seven of the world’s top nine players will be in action when the PGA Championship starts on Thursday.

“I want to make this feel like the Augusta of the European Tour and we can do that. We’ve got the trees, a great layout and we just want to keep making it better and not go backwards.”

Els received lots of criticism from his fellow players for the wholesale changes he made to the course 12 months ago but he is hopeful there will no such outcry this year.

“It’s beautiful and I think this is the best I’ve seen the course in many a year,” said the world No.  20 as he stood back to survey the scene on the 16th fairway.

“It’s a championship course and it can stand with any major now. The greens are in great shape and are running nicely.

“The course and the bunkers have been manicured really well — we’ve made some changes from last year again and it’s a helluva test but I think it’s a fair test.”

The 41-year-old, who now lives in the United States but still owns a property beside the 16th fairway at Wentworth, completely remodelled the West Course in 2010.

However, several players criticized last year’s alterations especially the new moat and elevated putting surface at the par-five 18th.

Els has made further tweaks to the closing hole and believes the players will now be more inclined to go for the green in two.

“The green is almost twice as big now,” said the triple major winner. “It’s gone from some 380 square meters to 586, that’s a huge change.

“There is also a big bailout area to the right where the bunkers are. As a player I understand when you can go for something and when you can’t and last year it was a green you couldn’t go for (in two).

“I think more than 50 percent of the guys, if they are in position this year, they will go for the green,” said Els.
 
Schwartzel, Kaymer scoop Euro  Tour awards

Meantime, US Masters champion Charl Schwartzel has become the sixth South African to be awarded honorary life membership of the European Tour.

“It is a great privilege to honor Charl in this way with the highest award we as a tour can bestow,” chief executive George O’Grady said in a news release on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old Schwartzel joined compatriots and fellow major winners Gary Player, Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Trevor Immelman and Louis Oosthuizen as honorary life members.

Martin Kaymer has also been voted by his fellow professionals as the 2010 European Tour Players’ Player of the Year.

The 26-year-old German won four times last year, including the US PGA Championship, and was a member of Europe’s triumphant Ryder Cup team.

“What I achieved (last year) was unbelievable,” said Kaymer after receiving his award.

“I have to thank Padraig Harrington for it. When he won the 2007 British Open and then two more majors in 2008 he gave Europeans the belief that we could win majors as well.”