BMW PGA Championship Preview, 20 May

Everybody knows about our connections to Wentworth so as you can imagine this is one of those weeks of the year that we look forward to. It's always super-busy whenever we come here, but because it's quite a rare occurrence these days I must say we really cherish these times at the house; it gives us the chance to see old friends and this year it's exciting to be able to bring the Claret Jug back with me.

Of course, this wasn't just a home for us all those years. I won seven World Matchplay titles at Wentworth and if you add all of those memories into the mix alongside the re-design and modernization work that we've done in recent years it means the West Course has a special place in my heart. There certainly isn't a golf course in the world that I know better than this one.

Still (as some people will happily remind me this week!) I haven't managed to win the BMW PGA Championship...yet. Obviously it is something I'd love to put right and this week would be perfect - that lovely BMW PGA trophy sitting next to the Claret Jug on Sunday evening. I can almost picture it now.

Anyway, I enjoyed a solid four or five days working on my game in Florida last week before we flew over to London at the weekend. In the build-up here I've got some meetings with my business team. We'll also squeeze in a day trip to Muirfield, as realistically speaking this is the only sensible window of opportunity for me to get there and play a practice round before the Open. It'll be great to feel that Muirfield turf under my feet again - what a great, great golf course it is.

Then obviously we've got the Pro-Am on Wednesday, which is always a lot of fun, and the first round action starts on Thursday. From the feedback we were getting 12 months ago there's no question the players are now appreciating the few tweaks that we've made to the West Course since the original renovation. If you play well then you can score well, but if you're marginally off then the golf course will penalize you. I think we all agree that's how it is meant to be with top-class championship golf. To be honest, I have so much passion for this event and for this golf course that I just want everything to be perfect for everyone.

And last year was pretty much the perfect tournament week - wonderful weather and record crowds. The British fans are always amazing. Also, it was one of my better finishes in this event, tied-7th. The key for me is to make a good start. If I can do that, I feel like I can get myself in the mix.

We'll see what happens soon enough!

©2010 Ernie Els

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