Tuesday 23 May 2017 18:49, UK
The West Course at Wentworth has undergone an extensive renovation ahead of this year's BMW PGA Championship. The changes have proved popular with the players, here's what they are saying...
"I think the overriding thing for players will be the greens. We know how hard it is this time of year in the UK to get perfect greens, and it seems Wentworth have done everything possible to produce that for us. It's also nice to see changes that affect amateur golfers because it's not just about us for this one week. It's about amateurs enjoying their golf and not walking off the 18th green feeling hammered and battered by the round of golf they have played. So I'm all for the changes."
"I'm absolutely delighted that it's been changed. I think the changes last time, on a number of holes, were too severe. This tournament deserves a golf course in fantastic condition, and I'm extremely excited to go out there and play because I would love to walk out of Wentworth Golf Club and say, 'I absolutely love it'."
"I think they have done a good job in shallowing some of the bunkers out that probably needed shallowing. And then obviously changing some of the rough around the greens, some of the bunkering around the greens. There are a few guys in the past who didn't play here for their own reasons, but I think with the changes, the guys want to come and see what it's like and see if it's one tournament they are going to put back on their schedule."
"The changes look really good, and the greens are a hundred times better. The course is playing pretty firm, as well, so that could be interesting, and the rough is certainly a lot thicker than I've seen it in the last three years."
"The greens are spectacular and, aesthetically, the golf course is considerably stronger. It is back to the Harry Colt-type design with a modern feel. Kudos to our team of European Golf Design, Paul McGinley, Thomas Bjorn and thank you to the Ernie Els Design group. I think now we have an iconic golf course which matches what this iconic venue is, and now we can focus and concentrate our attention to plans for having this tournament here for the next 10 years."
