Harrington Back at Wentworth After Els Changes

Ernie Els’s course design skills are so good they will lure world number 11 Padraig Harrington back to the PGA Championship at Wentworth next month for the first time since 2007.

“There are a lot of positives for me out there,” triple major winner Harrington told Reuters on Friday after playing a practice round at the famous West Course just outside London.

The 38-year-old Irishman has in the past been criticial of the venue for the European Tour’s flagship event but radical alterations by South African world number seven Els, who owns a house on the Wentworth estate, have received a big thumbs up.

“I actually like the changes and I think they suit me. I know I’m putting pressure on myself but I’m looking forward to the tournament in four weeks time,” said Harrington after a round organised by his clubmakers Wilson.

“Once I heard they were going to re-model the greens I said, I’ll be one of the first there.”

Few of the 18 holes remain untouched, with the most eye-catching changes on the par-four eighth and the par-five 18th, which is now a true golfing test in Harrington’s view.

“I know it was iconic before but now it’s more substantial,” said the 2007 and 2008 British Open winner and 2008 US PGA champion.

“It’s got that higher level of difficulty so nobody can just turn up and have an easy birdie or par.”

Harrington discovered that first hand on Friday when he found the water that now protects the 18th green from players seeking to reach the putting surface in two.

“I think I’ll lay-up in the tournament,” he joked.

BACK IN SHAPE

After claiming three majors out of six in 2007 and 2008, Harrington has not contended as much as he would have liked but he feels his game is back in shape.

“I was maybe trying too hard at Augusta but I’m positive going forward and swing-wise, and mentally I’m ready to go,” he said referring to his missed cut at the US Masters earlier this month.

Judging by his form at Wentworth, the bubbly Irishman is not far off the mark.

Despite using several caddies, a throng of fans crowding around him throughout the round and cameras constantly snapping away, a broad grin never left his face as he effortlessly shot around level-par.

“Oh, doesn’t a good putt make up for a lot?,” he chirped on the second green after sinking a 20-footer for par.

Harrington is particularly keen to get to St Andrews for the British Open in July.

“Its a good venue for me.,” he said. “I’ve won a couple of Dunhill Championships there and it’s a good track.

“Although I think a lot of preparation will have to be done as traditionally I've found it quite hard to read the greens because they are so big.”

Harrington also said world number one Tiger Woods struggled with his putting on his US Masters comeback after spending five months on the sidelines following the scandal over his extra-marital affairs.

“His lack of competition showed up at Augusta,” said the Irishman. “He had more three putts than I’ve ever seen him have in an event but thats just a lack of sharpness.”