Outside of the four Major championships, the BMW PGA Championship, which will be played at the Wentworth course this week, is the biggest tournament for the European Tour players alongside the Dubai World Championship. It is one of the most enjoyable weeks for me in Europe, because not only do I love the Wentworth course — despite the recent changes which were criticised by many players — I also happen to live right next door in Ascot. There is no better feeling when you can enjoy the pleasures of home right next to a tournament venue.
The redesign of the golf course was a contentious issue with many players and experts last year. Wentworth is a classic course which was designed by Harry Colt way back in 1920s. But the advent of the modern clubs and balls has taken the bite out of it.
Ernie Els was handed over the charge of redesigning it, with the specific instruction being to make it a lot more "tougher".
Impossible
Ernie did exactly what was asked, but in the process, some holes were made silly tough. Of the several changes made, the only one I did not like was the 18th green. It just became impossible to go for it in two shots, and players were laying up.
That one change just took away a lot of character from the golf course. Otherwise, I personally approve of all the changes, and the greens especially are much better quality now.
From what I have heard, some of the suggestions made by the players have already been implemented. I am yet to play the golf course, but I believe the 18th green has been enlarged and it will now be possible to go for the green with your second shot.
I am quite excited about playing again after a two-week rest. As I wrote earlier, I am playing well, but the consistency is missing. I have increased my practice time, so that should definitely help. Let's see show it pans out for me, but I am hoping to seal my Open Championship spot with a few good performances over the next few weeks.
The big news last week was France winning the right to host the 2018 Ryder Cup, which I think is fantastic news. I thought it would be down to Spain and France.
From what I heard, Spain was the sentimental favourite, because of the late Seve Ballesteros of course, while France's bid was extremely impressive.
On the basis of all that I heard from the French players about the plans and the government support, I can well imagine that. And the ace up France's sleeve was the Le National golf course, which is without doubt one of the top-three golf courses in continental Europe.
Jeev Milkha Singh is a three-time champion on the European Tour.