• European Tour

Returning stars looking forward to Wentworth test

Paul Casey won last year's event by one shot from Ross Fisher © Getty Images

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Defending champion Paul Casey heads a glittering list of talent set to battle it out at this week's BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

The event will take place on the iconic venue's remodelled West Course after Ernie Els - who owns a house on the Wentworth estate - oversaw a complete overhaul of the course. The par-four eighth and the par-five 18th received the most severe treatment, and 18 new greens have been added since last year's event.

The changes have lured a number of leading figures in European golf to take part in the 39th edition of The European Tour's flagship event and world No. 6 Ian Poulter, who missed the 2009 event, is looking forward to trying out the new layout.

"It's going to be good to get out there and play the course," Poulter told Sky Sports. "I'm really looking forward to it.

"I've always loved that golf course but it's always been very difficult for me to perform well on it because I've never really felt comfortable on it. Now it has all changed then hopefully I can feel very comfortable on it."

Twelve months ago Casey saw off another local favourite Ross Fisher by one shot as he finished on 17-under-par and he feels the course revamp will mean a change in tactics, with players who hit the ball high receiving a real benefit.

"The changes will really change the way you play at Wentworth," Casey said. "It's gone from having a lot of shots where you could reach the green by running it up to very much needing an aerial game."

Quail Hollow champion Rory McIlroy is also looking forward to taking on the new layout and the 21-year-old is confident of repeating his PGA Tour form on his return to the Europe.

"I am very much looking forward to the new challenge," McIlroy said. "It will be great to come back to one of the biggest events in Europe and win.

"It would be good to come back here and get into contention. I know if I at least do that then I can provide a real challenge."

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