A look at the PGA Championship
Course: West Course, Wentworth Club, Surrey.
Prize Money: €4.5 million (€750,000 to the winner).
Length: 7,302 yards. Par: 72. Field: 150.
Layout: Seven-times matchplay champion and long-time Wentworth member Ernie Els remodelled the course in recent years, adding yardage and 30 new bunkers. Tall trees line the fairways, many of which are doglegs, making it a tough driving course. The layout closes with two par fives – the 610-yard 17th and the 539-yard 18th. Before the 2010 tournament a greenside water hazard was controversially added to the 18th discouraging most competitors from going for the green in two. The hazard remains but the green has been made larger and lower. The fairway has been extended at the landing area and the bunker on the right has been filled in. The trees on the 18th fairway have been trimmed on the right side of the hole, giving agressive players more options. Also at the start of 2010 all the greens were replaced with colonial bent grass, but maintaining this American-style grass in an English climate has proved to extremely challenging for the course staff. The greens are short of speed and consistency.
Last year: Luke Donald and Lee Westwood were involved in a play-off with Westwood finding the water at the 18th to surrender.
Type of player suited to the challenge: Powerful, agressive players have won at Wentworth but all the course changes have put the emphasis on accuracy with bunkers and water hazards waiting to punish the errant shot. Wet weather in Surrey in recent weeks has softened the track so some power off the tee will be useful. The troublesome West Course greens are likely to cause some problems.
Key attribute: Accuracy.
Weather forecast: Some light showers are possible this afternoon, so a morning tee-time would be preferable but glorious sunshine is expected for the rest of the weekend. Swirling breezes though are expected to make club selection difficult.
Where to watch: Live on Sky Sports from 10am today. Highlights on BBC 2 at 12.25am.
