Gareth in Wright frame of mind for Wentworth debut

Gareth Wright is ready to embrace the challenge of taking on Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup team as he makes his debut at the BMW PGA Championship.

The West Linton Golf Club PGA Professional and reigning Glenmuir PGA Professional champion will take his place amid the glittering field at Wentworth aiming to show he can compete with some of the world’s greatest players.

Edinburgh-based Wright is one of 10 PGA Professionals to qualify via the Titleist PGA Play-Offs for the €4,750,000 event from May 23-26 which will see Luke Donald defending his title.

“It’s Europe’s flagship event and is going to be the strongest field that you are going to play outside of the majors so it’s going to be exciting to go up against the likes of Rory Mcllroy,” said Wright.

“The immediate target is to play some good golf and make the cut and then there is the prospect of may be getting a big draw if you can get into the weekend.

“If I play like I did in winning last year’s Glenmuir then I stand every chance of doing okay.”

The big-hitting Wright, who qualified after finishing tied third in the PGA Play-Offs in Turkey last December, will relish the chance to go up against Europe’s finest having delayed going to qualifying school at the end of last year to concentrate on winning a place in the Great Britain & Ireland PGA Cup team to take on the United States at De Vere Slaley Hall in September.

“I changed my goals after winning the Glenmuir because I wanted to try and qualify for the PGA Cup but my long term goal is to get back on tour so the plan is to go to Tour School at the end of the year,” said the 31-year-old.

While Wright has played the famed West Course previously it will be his first time since the changes introduced a couple of years ago under the watchful eye of Ernie Els.

“I’ve only seen the changes on television but the course always looks fantastic, it’s going to be a tough challenge but it’s one I’m looking forward to embracing.”

Wright will be cheered on by family and friends with one of them, Alex Cooper, receiving the added bonus of an invite to caddy for his old junior golfing partner.

“My usual caddy couldn’t make it so I asked Alex if instead of watching me from outside the ropes if there was any chance he fancied watching it from inside the ropes on my bag and he jumped at the chance.”

Other Tartan Tour regulars to qualify via the PGA Play-Offs are reigning No.1 Greig Hutcheon who will be making his fifth appearance at the West Course and Scott Henderson (Kings Links Golf Centre) with the former European Tour Rookie of the Year making his seventh appearance but his first since 2006.