Luke Donald seeking to emulate Montgomerie’s PGA hat-trick

Some side-tracking issues with Messrs McIlroy and Garcia in separate starring roles have threatened to derail the fact that some serious business will take place here in the BMW PGA Championship over the West Course at Wentworth, where Luke Donald – seeking a third successive win – will attempt to emulate the feat of Colin Montgomerie who achieved a hat-trick of titles in a stretch from 1998 to 2000.

Making a rare appearance on this side of the Atlantic, Donald – who is based in Chicago – has benefited most, certainly in terms of results, since the course was renovated by Ernie Els. Why? "I think it's a lot of strategy. Since Ernie redid the greens, you have to be more precise with your irons (on approach shots) and the deep bunkers, I haven't had much issue out of them because I'm reasonably good out of sand.

'Strategy course'
"It's a strategy course where you sort of plod your way around, a lot of irons; a lot of three-woods. It's not all about hitting it far off the tee."

Although he is without a win so far this season, Donald – who blames his poor wedge play for his failure to get into the winner’s circle – has, nonetheless, claimed top-five finishes in Tampa Bay and the Heritage at Hilton Head in recent weeks. “It’s a fine line between finishing 20th and being in contention. Hopefully, I can cross on to the good side of that soon,” said Donald.

For sure, the Englishman will have his hands full if he is to maintain his impressive winning streak on the course. Graeme McDowell – one of 11 Irish players in the field – is on a high after two wins inside the last five weeks, most recently in the Volvo World Matchplay, and is attempting to bounce back from a poor run here in recent years which has seen him miss the cut in 2011 and again last year.

Business affairs
As for Rory McIlroy, he hopes the emphasis can return to his golf rather than his business affairs or what clubs he is using. "I think the way the course is set up this week, I am more comfortable on it than the last few years. It's a little softer, which suits me more . . . it's a scorable golf course."

He added: “I’ve been working hard on my game and practising and that’s been the number one priority for me, getting my game as good as it can be.

“There’s a big summer of golf coming up. Memorial next week and building up to the US Open and then it’s not long after that (to) the Open. It’s a real time in the season where you have to knuckle down and play some good golf. I’m determined to do that after the start that I’ve had to the season.”