Wednesday round-up from Wentworth

Team Els win BMW PGA Pro-Am

Three-time major champion and West Course designer Ernie Els got his week off to a flying start after claiming the BMW PGA Pro-Am on a combined score of 24-under alongside his playing partners Anshu Jain (16-handicap), Nigel Keen (10) and Galib Virani (17).

The quartet finished one shot clear of Paul Casey and his playing partners Anthony Robson (12), Simon Beard (13) and Adam Beattie (9).

Shaun Micheel and his team had a bit of a stinker. 15-under with four to play, the American's team finished at 4-under.

Invite for Oli

Former Ryder Cup hero Oliver Wilson has been granted a special invitation to play this week, after losing his Tour status last year for the first time since 2005.

The 31-year-old had lost out in a playoff at Wentworth to Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez in 2008 and the organisers have also recognised his career record of nine second-places finishes on Tour.

“It’s fabulous that I have been afforded an invitation.  It’s one event I dearly wanted to play this year,” he said.

Mansfield-born Wilson will be contesting his tenth event this season and with his top-five finish in Madeira ensures he compete in the Wales Open next week.

Trainor seeks advice

Barrie Trainor claimed the last of ten qualifying spots for PGA professionals at Wentworth when he won the PGA Playoffs in Turkey, and the 31-year-old has contacted former European Tour No.1 Ronan Rafferty to help him prepare.

“Ronan told me that it was just a matter of driving the ball straight and hoping that my bunker play is in shape as there a few traps that can easily be found on approaches to the greens,” said Trainor, who is attached to the Mayobridge.

Trainor has been a consistent winner on the PGA Irish circuit and last year topped the Irish Region Order of Merit at Mount Juliet.

Recalling his playoff in the Titleist-sponsored event he said: “I grabbed the last place in a shootout. I managed to win the first playoff hole and, I can tell you, I had sweaty palms shaping up to a par putt that would get me through.”

Justin’s memory slip!

While addressing the media, Justin Rose was asked of his best finish at Wentworth. “I came tenth-ish a few years ago,” replied the Englishman, pondering the answer.

“Oh no, wait!” he added, almost interrupting himself. “I lost in a playoff to Anders Hansen in 2007!”

Rose, who has been watching this event since a very young age, also said it would be a “childhood dream” to win.

Golfmagic at the BMW PGA Championship 

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