Ernie Els will continue to “tweak” his re-design of the Wentworth West Course but lashed out at criticism of the famous track at the BMW PGA Championship as “craziness” and accused Ian Poulter of “damaging the flagship event.”
Poulter made outspoken comments at the weekend about Els’ work in remodelling the original 1926 design by Harry Colt, the host course for the PGA since 1984, criticising the new 17th and 18th holes as well as others in the South African’s five-year project to toughen up the course at the behest of Wentworth owner Richard Caring.
Els hit back strongly at the completion of the championship on Sunday, won by Luke Donald in a playoff over Lee Westwood, the 33-year-old moving ahead of his rival into the world number one ranking as a result of the win.
“It’s difficult not to take it personally, especially when it’s coming out of left field,” said Els, who has a house on the Wentworth property.
“A guy double bogeys the last because he doesn’t hit the right shot and then he blames the golf course for his bad shots.
“I don’t take that lightly. We’ll have a word when it’s suitable, when he’s calmed down a little bit and maybe reflects on the week.
“But he (Poulter) has done a lot of damage to the flagship event. He’s a Ryder Cup player and to come out with things like that is uncalled for he should think twice when he does that.
“You should maybe take 10 minutes after you’ve done a double; I’ve done the same and it is difficult to keep your composure… he obviously lost his.
“I’m not going to take that craziness.”
Els had agreed that some pin positions had heightened the difficulty earlier in the week, but said that the course had played as he wanted it on Sunday.
“This was as good as you’ll see the golf course. We were unhappy with the flag positions at the last five holes on Saturday, but not today. If you were on your game you shot a good score.”
The intention was to give the PGA a major championship feel, which meant the “the days of missing a shot and getting away with it are done.”
Els added, “In most major championships the cream rises to the top, and that’s what is happening here. The world number one and number two were right there. I don’t think the sponsors or the crowds could have asked for anything more, it was really special. “Major championships aren’t won at 17-under. The philosophy here was to test the players and if you’re not quite sharp enough you’ll have a tough time.
“You have to play with your head if you go at every flag you’re going to get burnt, like any major.
“Lee (Westwood) and Luke understand major championship golf and applied that all week. You’re going to get your bad breaks, but you’ve got to move on and be mentally tough. That’s the test here.
“They haven’t got into the mud-throwing match. They’ve just applied themselves to playing golf on a very tough course. Guys who are on their games are enjoying this challenge and to see the two best players in the world slug it out at the flagship event, our home on tour, is something very special.”
Els added that the changes have not finished yet but those planned for the future did not include the last two holes, specifically criticised by Poulter.
“We’ll consider more changes,” he said. “The 15th hole is a big par-four and I’m still not happy with the right side of the green.
“We’ll look at number 12 as well, we’ll take stock. But instead of getting on a stage and talking to the world, come up with constructive criticism and we will listen.”
Meanwhile, new world number one Donald revealed that he is due to be father for the second time later this year while crediting his wife Diane and daughter Elle for providing inspiration and perspective during his run of eight successive top 10 finishes culminating in Sunday’s victory.
“My golf has only gone from strength to strength since Elle was born and it’s been a real blessing to become a father,” he said. “It’s given me a lot more responsibility I think, I’ve grown up, I’ve become a better person.
“It’s nice to come home even when you finish second or don’t quite close out a tournament as I’ve been doing. I’ve got her little face smiling back at me, you’re able to forget things pretty quickly.
“And being able to do that through some of the disappointments, I’ve been able to put them behind me pretty quickly.”
Donald, meanwhile, moves to the top of the rankings with his playoff victory on Sunday and it seems he will stay there for another week at least as he plays at Jack Nicklaus’s Memorial Tournament while closest rivals Westwood and number three Martin Kaymer are having a week off.
Westwood’s first chance to reclaim the top ranking will come when he defends the FedEx St Jude Classic in Tennessee on the US Tour next week.
The next time all three will compete in the same event is the US Open at Congressional Country Club on June 16 to 19.