The field for the BMW is, as ever, of the very highest quality. Those missing from last year are Vijay Singh and Adam Scott, with Vijay having just taken over again from Tiger Woods as No1 without having played as Woods lost points over these two weeks just gone. Their ‘replacements’ – Luke Donald who is on the verge of breaking into the Top 10, Padraig Harrington and recent first time winner on the PGA Tour Peter Lonard.

Others who have been on the PGA Tour, with some success and some failure, are Greg Owen and Thomas Levet. Levet is precariously placed (vs. the Rankings) at No 50 with Greg Own having risen substantially because of his US successes to No63. Those who need high finishes whatever their aspirations for the title itself include Ian Poulter (47) and Paul Casey (48), both of who have not had the Spring form they would have wanted and only shown hints of the calibre of golf they can play with Casey’s win in China and Poulter’s Top 4 in the Accenture Matchplay. And there is the continuing story of Colin Montgomerie’s quest to make it into the field for the US Open for which he needs a minimum of a Top 16 and for Steven Dodd to not keep up the form which has led the Welshman to place No56.

Such is the life of a Tour Professional and the spread of events world-wide, Luke Donald is enjoying home comforts and seeing his family whilst committing himself to some 13 events on the European Tour (as well as the PGA version) yet this is only his second trip to the UK in the last six months, the other being attending the BBCs Sports Personality of the Year event last December.

His first visit to Wentworth was some 10 years ago and as a spectator, he sat down to see Chip Beck hit an approach to about 2ft, to which Donald though that ‘these players were good’.

When Beck missed, Donald finished his summary ‘Maybe not that good!’

Ernie Els has been enjoying the better weather on his trips round the globe to his favourite courses, and for him this is a very special event, even though it’s a Championship he has yet to win having come close on a number of occasions.

‘Next to the British Open this is the best event on the European Tour. Maybe with a change of sponsor I can win.’

Full of praise for the course and the speed of the greens, Els will not try to repeat last year when he used his matchplay tactics at the PGA, to attack all the time.

‘You have to get it in play. Four 68s and you will be right there. I tried it (being aggressive) and it didn’t work out.’

The Defending Champion Scott Drummond was more than happy to be back at a place he loves, on a course where when his short game was at its best last year he took the title which has changed his life and removed any thoughts about his card for some years. That win gave Drummond the opportunity to play in the US and it was there that he gained the evidence that made his 2005 resolutions -

‘There is not a lot wrong with my long game but playing in the US I realised their short game is at a level far above mine. Even on a bad day it needs to be good.’

Start Times – For Warwickshire players – Paul Broadhurst is off at 12.15 on Thursday 26th and then 7.50 on Friday 27th June. Steve Webster is playing with Nick Dougherty and Steven Dodd (last week’s winner of the Irish Open) at 13.15 on the Thursday and 8.55 on the Friday.

To get to Wentworth from the Midlands, allow just under two hours and take the M40 to Junction 4 when you head south (signs M4). When you reach the M4, turn left before crossing the motorway and after about 0.5 mile, you take the road to Ascot (third exit) and just follow it until you come to Ascot Race course which is under redevelopment. Keep that on your right and then turn left and you will see light blue RAC signs for ‘PGA Championship’.

For the main field, the ‘star’ pairings are – Ernie Els plays with neighbour Thomas Bjorn and with Paul Casey at 8.20 in Thursday 26th (12.45 on Friday 27th), and are followed onto the tee by Luke Donald, Nick Faldo and Colin Mongomerie (8.30 and 12.55).

In the afternoon on Thursday 26th, at 12.45 its Peter Lonard, Ben Curtis and Paul McGinley (8.10 on Friday), followed by Defending Champion Scott Drummond, Padraig Harrington and David Howell.

After them comes Ian Poulter, Jose Maria Olazabal and Graeme McDowell and at 13.05 Thursday (8.45 Friday) are Retief Goosen, Darren Clarke and Thomas Levet.

There will be full reports on Friday – ‘Cut’ day and for the Final round on Sunday. Look out for additional features over the week as well