Harrington’s Wentworth mission

Pádraig Harrington will bid to build on encouraging form in the United States this week by finally getting to grips with Wentworth’s West Course at the BMW PGA Championship.

The three-time major winner flies into England following his four under par finish at the HP Byron Nelson Championship in Texas (seven shots behind winner Jason Dufner in tied 15th), for just his fifth appearance in the European Tour’s flagship tournament since 2002. Harrington may have tamed Carnoustie, Birkdale and Oakland Hills in winning his majors, but the greens on Wentworth’s West Course have caused him to return just two sixth place finishes, 2006 and 2010, as his best efforts in 11 starts since 1996.

The Dubliner has even stayed away from the BMW Championship on four occasions, preferring to play US events instead in this end of May slot, and while he has missed both the 2009 and 2011 tournaments through injury he will return to Surrey intent on reversing his fortunes there.