Olazabal aims to repeat double with PGA title

Jose Maria Olazabal hopes to emulate his "double" of five years ago by adding this weekend's British PGA championship to the U.S. Masters he won in April.

The Spaniard feels refreshed after missing the last Tour event, the European Tournament Players' championship in Germany. I don't know what my chances are and it's always a strong field here but I'm feeling really good," he said.

Olazabal, who has battled back after a career-threatening injury, added: "It's been a little more difficult this time to come down from winning at Augusta because it was a more special victory for me this year. It took a lot more out of me and somehow I don't mind. But I'm very relaxed on the golf course."

Olazabal, currently 17th on the European Tour Order of Merit from just seven events played, has always rated the annual Wentworth event.

Obviously you have to take into consideration the four majors but after that, here in Europe, I don't think there are many tournaments as good as this one.

"It is a strong field, a great golf course and it has been improved year after year -- the whole tournament is a very special event."

The entry includes three golfers in the world's top 10 -- number five Ernie Els, six Lee Westwood and defending champion Colin Montgomerie, eight.

Easy-swinging Els, expecting to become a father for the first time this week, is probably the pre-tournament favourite.

He finished joint fifth in Germany despite coming off a five-week break and is a player who seems to thrive on the West course.

The South African won the world match play title over the West Course from 1994 to 1996 -- an unprecedented three times in his first three appearances.

Els took the opening European Tour event of the year, the South African PGA, and is already an impressive fifth on the money list from only five outings.

Briton Westwood, who missed the cut in Germany, is still troubled by a pinched nerve in his back but consistent compatriot Montgomerie, winner of the Benson and Hedges International Open two weeks ago, will always contend in Europe.

South Africa's Retief Goosen, European money list leader after his French Open victory and second place behind Tiger Woods in Germany, is another form golfer in the field.

Reuters