Els hits back at Wentworth critics

South African claims colleagues ‘put the knife in’ with course complaints

Ernie Els has hit back at his colleagues who criticised his redesign of Wentworth – accusing them of ‘sticking the knife in’.

The South African, who owns a house on the course, came under fire from players including world No.3 Lee Westwood and Wentworth academy graduate Ross Fisher, who did not approve of the £6.3million changes to the BMW PGA Championship venue.

But Els hit back at the players who slagged off the new design, arguing that they could have handled things better.

“If they had criticisms they couldn’t handled it differently,” said the world No.7.

“That’s the sad part of the whole week, a lot of the guys I’ve known for a long time came out and basically put the knife in and I don’t appreciate that.”

The alterations to the 18^th hole, which included a new stream in front of the raised green, came under most fire; with Westwood claiming the hole had ‘lost its drama’.

However, course owner Richard Caring, who footed the bill for the changes, acknowledged that he was to blame for the problems with the redesign of the iconic West Course after overruling Els on various issues.

“It’s unfortunate he had to come out ad say that,” said Els.

“He is the guy who spent £65million on the changes.

“Who on earth is going to spend that money to enhance a golf course on television and make the sponsor happy, make the players happy and then the players kick him in the teeth because they don’t like a couple of holes?”

Els, who finished well down the field after a final round 72 left him three-over-par for the tournament, also admitted that further changes would need to be made following the championship, particularly with respect to the 18^th.

“Obviously the 18^th didn’t quite come out the way we wanted,” said the three-time major champion.

“But we didn’t need a bunch of know-all people to criticise everything. That is the disappointing part.

“Definitely 18 will change. I can show you the plans I drew for it at the get-go.

“I’d also like to make changes on eight, I don’t like the heather on the mounds there.

“I’d even make changes to the eighth green because that’s another one I wanted lower. But for the rest I think it’s unbelievable.

“These greens were only laid in November and December and we are now holding the biggest tournament on tour on these greens. I think it’s a hell of a feat by the whole team.

“For all this money we are playing for, we could be playing down the road, not come in here like a bunch of spoiled golfers.

“If the people who made all those comments, especially the players, look back at what they said and what they achieved this week, it was all negative.”

Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor