VIRGINIA WATER, England, May 25 (Reuters) - World number one Lee Westwood led a glowing endorsement of the recent Wentworth changes made by Ernie Els on the eve of the European Tour's flagship PGA Championship.
Second-ranked Luke Donald, U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell and world number six Rory McIlroy also praised the way Els had altered the eighth, 15th and 18th holes following criticism last year from many of the players.
"It was well documented I criticised the eighth and 18th greens and he has changed those," Westwood told reporters on Wednesday. "So if they are not right you can blame me I guess.
"It's nice to see those changed because the eighth was maybe a little severe. At the 18th everybody likes to see somebody having a chance to make an eagle three to win or having to be aggressive and making the target a bit bigger will encourage that."
South African Els, who has a property on the Wentworth estate, has widened the 18th green from 380 to 586 square metres and also given the players extra room to the right of the putting surface to encourage a more attacking approach.
"The changes are good," said Westwood's fellow Briton Donald. "The 18th has obviously been made a little more inviting to go for the green in two.
"I think if the wind conditions are where you can get within 230 yards or less to the green ... a lot more people will take that shot on.
"The miss to the right and the bunkers there, and how they have banked the green from the right, will entice people to go for it," added Donald who was tied for second behind fellow Englishman Simon Khan in the 2010 PGA Championship.
EXCITING FINISH
McIlroy echoed the sentiments about the new-look closing hole at the West Course.
"I love the way they have remodelled the 18th," said the Northern Irishman. "It really invites you to hit a second shot in there and hopefully it will make for an exciting finish."
McDowell said the course bunkers were too deep last year and applauded the way Els and his greenkeeping staff had rectified those errors.
"The changes certainly fit my eye," said McIlroy's fellow countryman. "The tweaks are a huge improvement.
"The 15th is a big improvement as well. He has opened up the left side of the fairway which is now letting you be more aggressive off the tee.
"There are some strong winds forecast for tomorrow's first round so the course will be quite a test."
Second-ranked Luke Donald, U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell and world number six Rory McIlroy also praised the way Els had altered the eighth, 15th and 18th holes following criticism last year from many of the players.
"It was well documented I criticised the eighth and 18th greens and he has changed those," Westwood told reporters on Wednesday. "So if they are not right you can blame me I guess.
"It's nice to see those changed because the eighth was maybe a little severe. At the 18th everybody likes to see somebody having a chance to make an eagle three to win or having to be aggressive and making the target a bit bigger will encourage that."
South African Els, who has a property on the Wentworth estate, has widened the 18th green from 380 to 586 square metres and also given the players extra room to the right of the putting surface to encourage a more attacking approach.
"The changes are good," said Westwood's fellow Briton Donald. "The 18th has obviously been made a little more inviting to go for the green in two.
"I think if the wind conditions are where you can get within 230 yards or less to the green ... a lot more people will take that shot on.
"The miss to the right and the bunkers there, and how they have banked the green from the right, will entice people to go for it," added Donald who was tied for second behind fellow Englishman Simon Khan in the 2010 PGA Championship.
EXCITING FINISH
McIlroy echoed the sentiments about the new-look closing hole at the West Course.
"I love the way they have remodelled the 18th," said the Northern Irishman. "It really invites you to hit a second shot in there and hopefully it will make for an exciting finish."
McDowell said the course bunkers were too deep last year and applauded the way Els and his greenkeeping staff had rectified those errors.
"The changes certainly fit my eye," said McIlroy's fellow countryman. "The tweaks are a huge improvement.
"The 15th is a big improvement as well. He has opened up the left side of the fairway which is now letting you be more aggressive off the tee.
"There are some strong winds forecast for tomorrow's first round so the course will be quite a test."
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