5/26/2011

Els Believes West Course Rewards Risk


Ernie Els came in for some fierce criticism 12 months ago after he and billionaire club owner Richard Caring toughened up the West Course, including the introduction of a stream in front of the famous final hole.

The idea was to make it more risk-reward, but for the vast majority there was too much risk and not enough reward.

Simon Khan won the title after Luke Donald, needing an eagle to tie after taking seven on the long 17th, still laid up short of the water and had to try to pitch in.

He almost made it, but now the target has been made more enticing with a bigger and lower green.

'I guess you could say it's taken two bites of the cherry to get it exactly as we wanted, but this ultimately is the best solution for this iconic finishing hole,' said Els on his website.

'It's a fair balance of risk and reward and that small extra margin for error definitely makes a difference to a player's shot selection.

'I believe more guys will take it on in two at this year's championship. I hope so anyway. It may help produce an exciting climax, which is what a tournament of this stature deserves.

'Updating a classic golf course, one of the most famous in the world in the case of Wentworth, is an honour and at the same time a huge responsibility.

'We're proud of what we have achieved and we feel it has firmly established the course as one of the game's finest inland lay-outs.

'After last year's championship a decision was taken to make a couple more minor adjustments - to the eighth green where we've softened the spine running through the centre of the green and primarily on the 18th, where we lowered the green by 50 centimetres and made the putting surface bigger by 25%.

'We also carried out subtle recontouring to the green complex, making it somewhat more inviting for second shots.'

Els may not have taken the PGA title, but he won a record seven World Match Plays on the course.

'Every year this is one of my personal favourite stops in my playing schedule,' he added.

'You could call this part of the world pretty much home turf for me, having had a house here on the Wentworth estate for more than 10 years.

'I know the ins and outs and twists and turns of this golf course probably as well as any other course in the world.

'And this is a wonderful tournament - one that I believe can hold its own in the very highest company.

'Everything about it is pure class - the golf course, the field, the way the tournament is run and the way the players are looked after.

'Also the British golf fans are among the best in the world. This year's tournament is that bit more special, as it is the first time all four current major champions are competing in the field.

'Two of them are South African (Open winner Louis Oosthuizen and Masters champion Charl Schwartzel), both fine young men and good friends of mine, which is a great showcase for our nation's golfing talent and I know a real inspiration to many young kids back home.

'So, it should be a great week for the players, the fans and for the European Tour in general.'