Part of Ernie Els redesign at Wentworth Golf Clubs West Course © Kevin Murray
Graeme McDowell 20/1 © Myophoto
Back to stroke play this week for the European Tour at the stunning Harry Colt West course on the Wentworth Estate, not many people know that Colt also designed the East Course, which is a course I really enjoy playing. Ernie Els made some changes to the West course between 2005 – 2010, which were not received with universal appraisal.
The clubhouse was originally known as the Wentworth house in the 19th century and was the home to the brother-in-law of the Duke of Wellington, it was then sold to a Spanish exile by the name of Count Ramon Cabrera in 1850. After his death his wife purchased some of the surrounding land to form what become known as the Wentworth Estate.
In 1912 builder WG Tarrant acquired the developing rights for the Estate and based on his St Georges Hill model commissioned Harry Colt to design a course around the Wentworth house. Tarrant then developed the large houses that you see on the estate today. And in an echo of today’s financial climate, development of Wentworth Estate ground to a halt due to the Depression of the late 1920s.
In 1931 the banks asked for repayment of a large debenture that had been taken out, Surprise Surprise Tarrant was forced to declare bankruptcy. The ownership of Wentworth Estates Ltd came under the control of Sir Lindsay Parkinson & Co Ltd. My tips to win:
Luke Donald 7/1 is going for his hat-trick of wins at Wentworth this week, but at those odds I think we will look else where for some better value
Martin Kaymer 33/1 © Keith Allison
My Tips to win:
As I stated last week Graeme McDowell 20/1 is now getting back to playing some of his best golf and took his tally to two wins in his last three tournaments when picking up the Volvo World Match Play Championship trophy. Add to that his three Top 10 finishes on the PGA Tour where Graeme now sits in twelfth place on the FedEx Cup standings and first on the Race to Dubai, its all looking rosy for the lad from Portrush.
Next up are two German players, first is Martin Kaymer 33/1 who’s 5th place finish at last weeks Byron Nelson Championship made that his second Top 10 place on the PGA Tour this year. Martin also had two Top 10 finishes on the early season desert swing of the European Tour. It was always a matter of time before Kaymer got back to playing some good golf. Martin has had quite a few Top 20 finishes at Wentworth, I think this could be the week where he challenges for the European PGA title.
Marcel Siem 50/1 © James Kennedy
The other German is this years Trophée Hassan II champion Marcel Siem 50/1. I really feel this could prove to be a great year for the lad from Mettmann. Marcel has started to play on the PGA Tour and already has a Top 10 to his name and but for a final round 75 that see him plummet out of the Top 10 at last weeks Byron Nelson Championship, he could have had another. I think the experience gained on the PGA Tour will be the boost the Siem needs.
My each-way tips:
Compared to last year Paul Lawrie 50/1 has had a very unspectacular year, with only two Top 15 finishes on the European Tour, but Paul seems to enjoy Wentworth and has had several Top 10 and Top 20 finishes here and I am hoping last years runners up memories have a positive affect this week.
Paul Lawrie 2501 © Doha Stadium Plus
Thongchai Jaidee 66/1 was one of my outside bets last week for the Volvo World Match Play Championship and he didn’t disappoint only losing in the final to one of my other tips Graeme McDowell. That now makes it five Top 10 finishes from seven events so far this year for Jaidee on the European Tour. Thongchai has also had several Top 25 finishes here at Wentworth so he obviously enjoys playing here.
Outside Tips:
This weeks outside has to be our old friend Kiradech Aphibarnrat 150/1, we did back him last week and although he came 17th in a 24 man field that still leaves the Thai with an impressive stat of not being outside of the Top 20 so far this season from five events
For updated betting odds during the tournament go to planetgolfreview.com
