Donald poised for BMW PGA title defence

Luke Donald is looking to forward to the strategic test of Wentworth ahead of his BMW PGA Championship title defence

Luke Donald

Luke Donald is looking to forward to the strategic test of Wentworth ahead of his BMW PGA Championship title defence.

Donald is bidding to follow in the footsteps of Colin Montgomerie (1998-2000) and become only the second person to win the BMW PGA Championship three years in a row.

The Englishman beat compatriot Lee Westwood in a play-off in 2011 before a four-stroke victory over Justin Rose and Paul Lawrie last year.

"It's very nice to be back. I've got a lot of great memories at the BMW PGA," said Donald.

"This tournament has always been very special, especially my win in 2011 [which took him to world number one].

"It's great to be back, and great to have the chance to win three in a row."

Donald said Ernie Els's course changes - which took place between 2006 and 2006 - have suited his game.

"It's a strategy course where you sort of plod your way around," said Donald.

"You're not taking driver off every hole. There's a lot or irons and three woods, so it's not all about hitting it far off the tee. Distance isn't too much of an issue around this place.

"You also have to be more precise with your irons into these greens since Ernie made his changes."

In a controversial week for golf, Donald gave his opinion on the ongoing spat between Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia.

"At times I've found it humerous. You know, it's a shame. There's always going to be personalities that don't get on with each other. That's just the way it is."

Referring to Garcia's 'fried chicken' comment at last night's European Tour Players' Awards, the 35-year-old added:

"I saw Sergio this morning and he was certainly full of regret. It obviously came out and I don't think it was meant in that way.

"We all know Sergio, he says his mind and sometimes he doesn't have that filter. It was an unfortunate incident."

Nick Bonfield
Features Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x