SWINDON’S David Howell says that Wentworth’s West Course is the best he has seen it as he prepares to return to the scene of one of his greatest triumphs.

Now 41, Howell admits that it feels like a lifetime ago since he was lifting the BMW PGA Championship trophy back in 2006.

However, this year sees the most dramatic changes to the Surrey track in those 11 years since.

The course has lost 29 bunkers and seen all 18 greens relayed in the last year, with the multi-million pound revamp led by Ernie Els Design and European Golf Design.

The changes were made under the close supervision of Ryder Cup captains Thomas Bjørn and Paul McGinley, and Howell, who took to the course for a practice round yesterday before play starts tomorrow, says it will not only benefit the tournament but those who use the course regularly.

“It’s a huge week,” said Howell, who takes part in today’s pro-am alongside cricketers Allan Lamb and Stuart Broad, and Sky Sports pundit Alan McInally.

“We’ve had a lot of tournaments so far but nothing as big as this.

“It’s a great field and the course is in absolutely fantastic shape.

“They have made a lot of changes since last year and the course is to die for, it really is the best I have ever seen the West Course.

“It is just a better course. It became too challenging, it wasn’t a lot of fun for anyone to play.

“They have softened a lot of the bunkers off the tee, taken many bunkers out, all the bunkers around the green are shallower and the green surfaces are as pure as you’ll ever see and softer as well.

“It is going to be much nicer for scoring but once we have moved on, it is going to be a much nicer and fun course for everyone to play in the other 51 weeks of the year.

“It’s still not an easy course, far from it. You’ve still got to think, Wentworth only gives you certain places you can hit it to and you have to think about where it’s going.

“It’s not a long hitters’ course, it’s about accuracy. You can’t go all guns blazing at it but there is a score to be had.”