Wentworth Revitalized, But Will It Ever Draw Americans?

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I still haven't seen many good images capturing the supposed restoration of H.S. Colt's work at Wentworth, which includes 29 fewer bunkers. (There are a couple of shots in this primer at a revamped EuropeanTour.com.)

But as The Telegraph's James Corrigan notes in previewing the revitalization, the BMW PGA Championship has player attention because the greens are smoother.

Reignwood put up the £5 million for improvements and the European Tour and its design team did the rest, together with Ernie Els Design. Each of the 18 greens was relaid and a sub-air system, as used at Augusta, was installed under every one as well. The result is startlingly firmer surfaces and a much more consistent roll of the ball. Tyrell Hatton, the young world No 16 from nearby High Wycombe, summed up the elation in the locker room. “The greens are 100 times better,” he said.

Corrigan's piece includes a sidebar pointing out the resurfacing of all greens, with Sub-Air installed. He says nine greens were partially or fully redesigned.

Paul McGinley posted this image earlier in the week:

The tragedy in Manchester will lead to a more subdued week, reports Alistair Tait for Golfweek, so it remains to be seen if the Rolex Series kick off will include the driving range music and first tee presenters will still happen.

The tournament also hopes to attract more Americans but given the schedule spot, that will be tough. John Huggan talks to various dignitaries for suggestions and I thought this was interesting from Ken Schofield.

“The European Tour has had a lifetime of putting on great events no one in America seems to care about,” Schofield says. “It’s time to put an end to that. I see a closer relationship between the BMW PGA and the Players as a way of further cementing relations and cooperation between the tours. It’s just the right thing to do for the game.

In other words, Schofield would like to see the Players become part of the money list on the European Tour and, in turn, the BMW PGA become part of the PGA Tour’s money list. “That would provide further validation for both,” he says.

Should the PGA Championship move to May, the BMW would also take a hit if it remains in the current schedule spot.