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.”
