Five to watch at BMW PGA Championship
Rory McIlroy
The world’s No. 1 player is anxious to forget his missed cut two weeks ago at the Players Championship, his first in 23 events. This will be the first European Tour appearance for McIlroy since the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in October. He was a spectator at Wentworth Club often as a child.
Lee Westwood
A runner-up twice in the tournament, including last year in a playoff to Luke Donald, Westwood seeks his first victory at Wentworth. The 39-year-old from England is having another stellar year, finishing in the top five in five of 10 starts on the PGA and European tours.
Ernie Els
He’s the subject of controversy at Wentworth over the design tweaks he made to the Harry Colt masterpiece. Westwood was the loudest critic last year after his approach shot in a playoff spun off the 18th green and into the water. The green is not as severely sloped this year.
Branden Grace
With three wins on the European Tour, it’s hard to fathom that the South African, who turned 24 on Sunday, is still ranked only 65th in the world. Seve Ballesteros and Sandy Lyle are the only players in European Tour history to win three events in a season at a younger age.
Luke Donald
Donald will try to become the third repeat champion in the 57-year history of the event. Nick Faldo was the first in 1980-81 on his way to four titles on four different courses. Colin Montgomerie won three straight (1998-2000), all at Wentworth.
