2013 BMW PGA Championship Preview

Guest article from Derek Clements.

The European Tour makes only its fourth stop on its home continent when Luke Donald attempts to win the BMW PGA championship for the third time on the trot at Wentworth from May 23-26.

After visiting such well-known "European" destinations at South Korea, China, South Africa, India and Qatar, many of the best players in the world arrive to take part in the Tour's flagship event. Nobody has a problem with the globe-trotting nature of the Tour - it would be impossible to stage a worthwhile series of tournaments in Europe alone. And China, India, Dubai and Qatar are where the money and potential for growth lie. It has also got to be a good thing that the message is being spread to all corners of the globe.

However, the PGA championship is once again the only tournament being played in England in 2013. The Open is being staged at Muirfield, and Scotland also hosts the Scottish Open, Johnnie Walker championship and Alfred Dunhill Links championship. The Wales Open will be held at Celtic Manor and the Irish Open at Carton House.

It is all pretty disappointing, especially when you consider the world rankings of Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Justin Rose, all of whom are, erm, English.

Rain, hail or shine, tens of thousands of spectators will pour into Wentworth on what is a bank holiday weekend. Prize money has been increased to 4.75m euros, with the winner collecting a cool 791,660 euros.

As ever, the tournament has attracted a stellar cast, with every member of last year's victorious Ryder Cup team in action. It will be a big week for Donald, who has had an uncertain start to the season, despite finishing third in the recent Heritage Classic.

Wentworth is regarded as a course that is suited to big hitters. Donald proves that it also rewards players who can plot their way around. Two years ago, when he was going head to head with Westwood for the world No 1 ranking, the two players produced a thrilling finish. Donald beat Westwood in a playoff and in so doing took the top ranking from his rival.

Unsurprisingly, Donald loves the tournament. "It’s a huge event on The European Tour schedule and the West Course is one that suits my game very well. I’ll be going there with high expectations of trying to emulate the great Colin Montgomerie.

“When I was 12, 13 years old I’d be running around the course watching some of the great players – Nick Faldo, Ernie [Els], Seve [Ballesteros], the top players in Europe,” he said. “Being just 30 minutes from home, it was a special event to me and I always love coming back to Wentworth.

“As golfers, we aspire to inspire the younger generation and hopefully my two victories there have inspired some younger kids to go out there and practise hard.”

His victories both have special significance. In 2011 it was because the top ranking was at stake and last year it was because of the satisfaction he felt at being able defend the title.

“In 2012 it was more a case of trying to repeat my performance. It was the first time I’d successfully defended a title and it felt fantastic. It’s always tough to lead from the front. I had a two-shot lead over Justin [Rose] going into the last round and it’s always nice to go out and play really solid golf.

“Not only did I have that tournament on the line, it was an opportunity to win back-to-back tournaments, so to do it was very satisfying. To know that under extreme pressure I had what it took to pull off the victory was great.”

With all due respect to the English contingent, all eyes will be on Rory McIlroy, who won the money lists in Europe and America last year (as Donald did the year before), but he has struggled this year.

Some people have been quick to blame his Nike equipment, but that is to insult McIlroy who, at his best, could break par at Wentworth armed with a cricket bat. The Northern Irishman will have been hurt at losing his world No1 ranking to Tiger Woods, and knows the only way to get back on top is to start winning again.

McIlroy is a natural talent and it is a fact that players who swing the club the way he does are more likely to go off the boil from time to time than those who are taught to play by numbers.

There is nothing more certain than the fact that McIlroy will recover his very best form and, cheered all the way round the West Course, it just might happen at Wentworth.

While this tournament usually produces champions from the very top drawer, it has also been kind to a number of players who would never have been considered as genuine contenders - Simon Khan in 2010, Anders Hansen (2002 and 2007), Scott Drummond (2004) and Andrew Oldcorn (2001) all fit that category.

Khan was in the doldrums until his victory, but it meant he could relax, put a tidy sum in the bank and pick and choose the tournaments in which he wanted to play. He hasn't kicked on, but it was a life-changing week for the Englishman.

He succeeded Paul Casey, who will be back again, trying to rediscover his best form. It is unthinkable that such a gifted player now finds himself languishing in 221st place in the rankings. Injury problems have affected him, and he hasn't won since January 2011.

If you are looking for an each way bet, you could do worse than put a fiver on Chris Wood. The Bristol golfer who twice nearly won The Open made his breakthrough on the European Tour in January when he landed his first title, the Qatar Masters. He played well in the Dubai Desert Classic the following week and has played some decent golf in the past at Wentworth.

Or if you are looking for a rank outsider, Tommy Fleetwood is your man. He retained his card by the skin of his teeth in 2012 but has now settled into life on Tour.

No matter what happens, players and spectators alike will all head off in different directions, wondering why on earth they will have to wait 12 months before the European Tour returns to England.

Derek Clements is a sports journalist with a particular passion for golf with over 12 years of experience covering golf and other sports including Chief Sub-Editor on the sports desk of The Sunday Times. To contact Derek email direct via [email protected]