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Wood impressed by new-look Wentworth
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Wood impressed by new-look Wentworth

With just three weeks to go until the BMW PGA Championship launches the European Tour’s new Rolex Series, defending champion Chris Wood got his first look at Wentworth’s revamped West Course, which has undergone a dramatic transformation since his victory in May 2016.

Chris Wood

The Ryder Cup player was impressed by the multi-million pound changes which have been made to the iconic West Course over the past 12 months, particularly the new-look greens, all 18 of which were stripped of the old turf and re-seeded with a new creeping bent, improving both the appearance and playability of the putting surfaces.

Chris Wood plays his second shot on the third hole

After it re-opened to Wentworth members last week, Wood was one of the first European Tour professionals to see the improvements to the West Course following the renovation work which was led by Ernie Els Design and European Golf Design, working closely with an advisory team which included Thomas Bjørn, Paul McGinley and David Jones, who represented the views of the European Tour players.

A sub-air system was also installed on all greens to help make them firmer and faster, while four greens – on the eight, 11th, 14th and 16th holes – were completely rebuilt and five greens – on the third, fourth, fifth, 12th and 15th holes – were partially rebuilt, along with improvements to all bunkers.

The new-look par 5, 12th hole at Wentworth Club

The aim of the renovation was to recognise Harry Colt’s original vision for the West Course while taking into account the demands of the modern game, and Wood believes the European Tour players will see some marked improvements when they encounter the course themselves at the BMW PGA Championship, from May 25-28.

“It’s night and day to the last few years,” said Wood. “We are still three weeks away from the BMW PGA Championship, so the greens aren’t quite at tournament speed, but every putt you hit is true and the roll is pure.

“As soon I walked on to the first green, I couldn’t believe the difference. I know the greens have been an area where some of the guys have been critical in the past, and it is tough in the UK to expect to get perfect greens so quickly in the season, but I couldn’t get over the greens today and the difference they’ve made.

The green on the par five 18th hole at the Wentworth Club

“The other changes are good too. A lot of them are quite subtle, but the four or five greens they have changed are a huge improvement. They give the weekend golfer a chance to get round too, which is important.”

Wood, who represents England in this week’s GolfSixes at Centurion Club, finished one shot clear of Sweden’s Rikard Karlberg last year, with the 2016 Masters Champion Danny Willett a further shot back. The victory helped Wood earn a Ryder Cup debut at Hazeltine and he will join his teammates Willett, four-time Major Champion Rory McIlroy, Olympic Champion Justin Rose and Open Champion Henrik Stenson in the field later this month.

Chris Wood presenting a Mizuno 3 wood he used to the Wentworth Hall of Fame

“It’s great to come back and see everything being put together,” said Wood. “It’s an advantage for me to see the course so early and get a bit of work done and feel like I’m fully prepared for the tournament. There’s always pressure when you are defending champion, but this is one of our premier events, so it is an honour to come back as defending champion.”

Fans can also ensure they are there to see Wood and the world class field take on the revamped course by clicking here for general admission tickets, official hospitality packages, onsite parking and grandstand seating.

Alternatively, contact the European Tour’s dedicated Hospitality Sales Team, who will be happy to answer any queries and discuss the various hospitality options, onenquiries@europeantourhospitality.comor +44 (0) 1344 840681.

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