Thursday 26 May 2016 07:56, UK
Wentworth and Sawgrass host flagship tournaments for their respective tours, but how do the venues differ? The 2014 winning Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley gives his verdict...
Best overall venue?
PM: I must admit I was a fan of the old Wentworth, because it suited my game more than the present West Course. I loved being able to chase the ball around a lot more at the old Wentworth. Although I’m a fan of the old Wentworth over Sawgrass, it has to be said that both of them are very similar in many ways. They are positioning golf courses, and neither are heavily reliant on raw power like a lot of modern courses are. Both of them require hitting a lot of fairways and solid, sensible course management.
Best finishing stretch?
PM: On the old Wentworth, it was very much a "front-footed" finish, meaning you felt you had to play the last three holes in at least one under par otherwise you would lose ground. Now, you can close with three pars and it’s unlikely you will lose ground. The finish has been strengthened quite a lot.
As for Sawgrass, the 16th is statistically one of the easiest par fives on the PGA Tour - it's not very long at just over 500 yards and has very generous fairway. The second shot is a little demanding, but guys are going in with five iron or less and, by modern standards, it’s not that difficult a hole. But 17 is always difficult, and the 18th is one of the toughest finishing holes in the United States. So I think it’s probably more of an exciting finish at Sawgrass than Wentworth.
Most dramatic impact?
PM: That's got to be Sawgrass for certain, and that's mainly because of the 17th. It truly is an iconic hole, and there’s no other hole like it anywhere in the world. It was ground-breaking when it was first introduced to the PGA Tour, and it still feels ground-breaking some 30 years or so later. Every golfer in the world knows all about it and what makes it stand out.
Most likely to reward all-round games?
PM: Nothing to choose between them on this. Both courses are suited to players with strong all-round games, and not just the power hitters. Rory McIlroy is one of the longest players in the world and he won at Wentworth in 2014, but it wasn't a case of him overpowering the golf course. Every facet of his game was excellent, and it’s a validation for the quality of the golf course when the best player in the world wins there.
Best atmosphere?
PM: For me it’s Wentworth. There’s something nice about the BMW PGA Championship being the real season-opener for the European Tour in many ways, certainly in the British Isles. The trees and flowers are starting to bloom, most of the holes are fairly isolated and individual, and everyone knows the holes – particularly on the back nine – from watching it every year growing up. It's a bit like Augusta in that respect.
There is always a great atmosphere on the West Course, especially on those last four or five holes. Up the hill at the par-three 14th with the big stand there behind the green, on to the claustrophobic and very tough 15th, the short and tricky 16th and then two great par-fives to finish.
Best facilities and organisation?
PM: Both of them are poster tournaments for their respective Tours. The PGA Tour are very proud of their TPC and we’re are just as proud of our flagship event on the European Tour. Both are run to an incredibly high level, and I don’t think either could be run much better to be honest.
Should the Players Championship be the fifth major?
PM: That's been the unofficial title for the tournament for a few years, but I don’t think that’s going to happen. Certainly outside of the majors, The Players is probably the No 1 tournament in world golf. Players obviously look at winning one of the four Grand Slam events, but The Players is the next one that they will target on either tour.
