• European Tour

Harrington to play at BMW PGA Championship

ESPN staff
April 26, 2010
Padraig Harrington finished in a tie for sixth on his last appearence at the event back in 2006 © Getty Images
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Padraig Harrington has confirmed his entry for next month's BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

The current world No. 11 has not competed at the European Tour's flagship event since 2006, after criticising the layout of the Surrey-based club's West Course. Ernie Els, who owns a house on the Wentworth estate, has since overseen a complete overhaul of the course, with the par-four eighth and the par-five 18th receiving the most severe treatment.

Harrington played the new-look West Course on Friday and is now confident the course is up to the standards required for a European Tour venue.

"I'm very impressed with the changes and in particular I'm happy to see the way that the greens are now putting," Harrington told the BBC. "Once I heard that they were going to remodel the greens, I said I'll be one of the first there when that happens.

"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."

The most eye-catching change made by Els is the lengthening of 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 three-time major winner. "It's got that higher level of difficulty so nobody can just turn up and have an easy birdie or par."

Harrington discovered the hole's new level of difficulty at first hand during his practice round, when he found the water that now protects the 18th green with his second shot.

"I think I'll lay-up in the tournament," he joked.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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