The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Ryder Cup star Ian Poulter looks forward to playing at revamped Wentworth
GOLF: Revamped Wentworth ready to host European Tour flagship event
A revitalised Ian Poulter is targeting a first victory since 2012 on what used to be one of his least favourite courses in this week’s BMW PGA Championship.
Poulter has previously made no secret of his dislike for Wentworth, especially after the controversial redesign by Ernie Els in 2010.
“I don’t like this golf course. Period. End of story,” the Ryder Cup star said on his way to finishing 18th in 2011. “It’s a very difficult golf course, especially now it’s been redesigned. It’s not fun.”
The condition of the greens also came in for criticism from the likes of Luke Donald and Justin Rose, with two-time winner Donald suggesting in 2015 they needed replacing for the second time in six years.
Donald got his wish when an extensive renovation programme began just eight days after Chris Wood’s victory last year, with all 18 greens stripped of their old turf and reseeded with a new type of grass.
The greens on the eighth, 11th, 14th and 16th were completely rebuilt and another five were partially rebuilt, while a sub-air system used at Augusta National was installed.
All of the bunkers were redesigned and a total of 29 removed.
“I’m very much looking forward to getting out on the course to have a look, because this tournament deserves a golf course in fantastic condition,” said Poulter, who was 26th on his last appearance here in 2014.
“It has been pretty much a flagship event for a very long time. It’s the home of the Tour. Everyone knows Wentworth and it really should be one of the best courses on the rota that we play.”
Finishing second at the TPC lifted Poulter from 195th in the world rankings to 80th and sealed his place in the endof-season FedEx Cup play-offs on the PGA Tour, meaning he could accept a European Tour invite to play the first Rolex Series event this week.