Els in Wentworth hot seat

Ernie Els has admitted being nervous on returning to a course where he has had more success than at any other.
Ernie Els has admitted being nervous on returning to a course where he has had more success than at any other.
The seven-time winner of the World Match Play at Wentworth is one of the architects responsible for turning the course into one of the most difficult – and controversial – tests anywhere in golf.
After changes added 310 yards and 30 bunkers prior to the 2006 BMW PGA Championship, the latest modifications have altered all 18 greens and the famous par five closing hole now has a wide ditch in front of ther green which totally changes its character.
“I was quite anxious to get out there,” said the 40-year-old South African after flying in from Florida for the European Tour’s flagship tournament starting on Thursday.
“Obviously you’re not going to please everybody. You’re going to have questions all over the place and it’s very easy to criticise something.
“I’m in the hot-seat. I’m the guy the guys can fire at, can throws their arrows at and if guys don’t like it you can listen to what they don’t like.
“But this is our fifth major over here in Europe and it needs to have a bit of teeth.
“Players will have a little bit of a shock for a while, but they will find a way to score around here.
“When you master this course now I think you’ll have a lot of confidence going forward and not be intimidated by any course.
“The most talk will probably be about 18. We wanted a little bit of drama – with the old green everybody was putting for eagle and it was basically a bit of a soft par five.”
Latest
-
News
‘My best is ahead of me’ – Justin Rose motivated by winning majors, not rankings
The Englishman endured a first winless season since 2009 in 2020 and starts this week’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic ranked 38th in the world.
-
News
Justin Rose concerned about his chances of defending his Olympic title
Rose won gold in Rio in 2016 but the former world number one is currently outside the qualifying places.
-
News
Rory McIlroy on latest near-miss in Abu Dhabi: ‘I don’t feel like I played great’
McIlroy avoids mentioning final-round blues but admits he needs to get more consistent.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton eyes Ryder Cup spot after winning Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
Hatton carded a closing 66 to finish 18 under par.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship as Rory McIlroy misses out
Australia’s Jason Scrivener recorded an eagle and five birdies in a back nine of 29 to claim second place.
-
News
Rory McIlroy leads the way in Abu Dhabi as he eyes overdue victory
McIlroy will have to keep his Ryder Cup team-mates at bay if he is to claim the trophy.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton dominant as Rory McIlroy falters in Abu Dhabi
Hatton led by five shots at the end of a second weather-affected day.
-
News
Phil Mickelson on Tiger’s latest surgery: ‘I feel bad because golf should be a game of a lifetime’
Mickelson admitted he was saddened by the news of Woods’ latest back surgery.
-
News
Rory McIlroy makes brilliant start to fog-affected Abu Dhabi Championship
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes.
-
News
Rory McIlroy shines in Abu Dhabi to take first-round lead following flawless 64
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes, three thirds and a fifth in his last nine starts, but has never won.