This just in from Gordie Simpson, Director of Communications, EuropeanTour, and it highlights in part why he has chosen not to be a PGA tour member and therefore will not be at the upcoming Players Championship...
World Number One Lee Westwood has his eyes firmly focused on his ‘fifth Major’ at the BMW PGA Championship. The 38 year old Englishman will be among the star attractions at Wentworth Club from May 26-29, along with World Number Two Martin Kaymer and Number Three Luke Donald.
For Westwood, the BMW PGA Championship represents the biggest prize in the game outside golf’s four grand slam events, and he would like nothing more than to take home The European Tour’s flagship title, an honour that has eluded him thus far in his glittering career of more than 30 international tournament victories, including the last two weeks in Indonesia and Korea.
“The BMW PGA Championship is the biggest title that I play for outside of the Majors. It’s bigger than the World Golf Championships because of what the tournament represents for us as The European Tour,” said Westwood, who followed up his victory in the Indonesian Open by capturing the Ballantine’s Championship for his 21st European Tour success.
“It’s the Tour’s showcase event and obviously I’d love to win – it is always a great event to play in and it would be nice to win a BMW tournament for the first time and it is certainly a high priority for me in any season.”
Kaymer, meanwhile, is hoping to add a second BMW title to his burgeoning CV, having secured his second European Tour victory at the 2008 BMW International Open before going on to secure a further seven European Tour titles, including his first Major at last year’s US PGA Championship.
The German, who dethroned Westwood from his Number One position in February, only to lose out himself to the same player nine days ago, said: “It is definitely one of my goals to win the BMW PGA Championship.“To win another BMW tournament would be fantastic and especially at Wentworth. I always like to play there. It is a very important tournament so it’s always a privilege to come here. It would be fantastic to raise the trophy.”
Donald, meanwhile, is enjoying one of the most successful periods of his career having won the WGC – Accenture Match Play in February and putting together an exceptional run of form that has taken him to within touching distance of Westwood’s World Number One crown.
The Englishman almost won the BMW PGA Championship last year but had to settle for a tie for second place after almost holing his pitching wedge approach to the West Course’s 18th hole for an eagle that would have taken eventual winner Simon Khan into a sudden-death play-off.
“It would be very nice to go one better at the BMW PGA Championship this year,” said Donald. “I ran Simon pretty close last year and have always loved coming home to play at Wentworth. It’s a very special week for me because I get to see so many friends and family back home, so to win The European Tour’s biggest event back in England would be very special.”
Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles
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