News and notes

• This week's event is the Tour's flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship, held at the Wentworth Club in Surrey, England.
• It is the 60th anniversary of this event.
• Defending champion Matteo Manassero will look to triumph over a field that comprises 17 of the world's top-50 players.
• World number 10 Rory McIlroy comes into the event with a notable distraction, having recently ended his engagement to tennis star Caroline Wozniacki.
• The pre-tournament favorite, in my opinion, is Justin Rose (T14, T8, 5, T4 in his past four global events and also lost in a playoff here in 2007 and finished second in 2012).
• Several Europeans will look to gather much-needed Ryder Cup points this week, most notably Lee Westwood, Francesco Molinari, Jonas Blixt, Stephen Gallacher, Manassero, Paul Lawrie, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Joost Luiten, and Ian Poulter.
• There always seems to be an off-the-radar player who gets himself into contention, maybe even win, such as Simon Khan (winner in 2010) and Eddie Pepperell (T6 last year).  Who will it be this time around? 
• There has been much debate over the changes Ernie Els made to some of the greens a few years ago, so it will be interesting to see if the debate continues on this week with players.
• With the world's top-50 being exempt into this event, it's only a matter of time before a top American plays.
• Here are some notable groupings for the first two rounds (Round 1 tee time/Round 2 tee time):

(8:00/12:30) Darren Clarke, Thongchai Jaidee, Padraig Harrington

(8:15/12:40) Thomas Bjorn, Retief Goosen, Stephen Gallacher

(8:25/12:50) Sergio Garcia, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Martin Kaymer

(8:35/13:00) Charl Schwartzel, Henrik Stenson, Luke Donald

(12:20/7:50) Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Chris Wood, Alvaro Quiros

(12:30/8:00) Joost Luiten, Peter Hanson, Simon Khan

(12:40/8:15) Francesco Molinari, Ian Poulter, Jonas Blixt

(12:50/8:25) Matteo Manassero, Justin Rose, Lee Westwood

(13:00/8:35) Ernie Els, Jamie Donaldson, Rory McIlroy

• Reigning US Amateur champion Matthew Fitzpatrick of England will turn pro following this year's U.S. Open.  His first event as a professional will be the following week's Irish Open.  Fitzpatrick has signed with International Sports Management (ISM), headed by Chubby Chandler.  Fitzpatrick will look to earn his European Tour card from seven invites, similar to what Rory McIlroy did when he first turned pro.