Wentworth

If Colin Montgomerie thought he had problems with his putting, then he might consider the plight of Ernie Els, the player he aims to depose as the world's No.1 this year.

These are traumatic times for the South African who is favourite for the Volvo PGA Championship which begins today at Wentworth.

He arrived at the course yesterday suffering from jet-lag, tennis elbow, and the after-effects of the burglary at his home near Cape Town earlier this week.

Els, who has just become engaged to long-term girlfriend Liezl, had to despatch her to his house to compile an inventory of all that has been stolen, and this may include the US Open trophy he won at Congressional last year.

Yet the laid-back Els, who is paired with Montgomerie this morning, made light of these handicaps even though his challenge could well be distracted by them.

''I spoke to Liezl last night and cups, trophies, things from off the wall, and gold clubs have been stolen but I don't know yet if the US Open trophy was taken,'' said Els. ''It's a hassle.

''They also got into my car and smashed it. One guy was killed, another paralysed and a third who ran away has been found.

''However, I won't move. I love the place and most people there have had this happen to them.

''I am looking forward to this week because this is one of my favourite tournaments and favourite courses. I have had treatment for my elbow and it feels fine.

''If Colin wants to beat me, fine. In a way he's right. Tiger (Woods) is the leading man out there, and if you play well, people are going to chase you.

''However, if he finishes forty-ninth here and I'm No.50, it won't do him much good.

''I am out to play the golf course - not beat Colin or anyone else. I am here to win this tournament. The only way to do this will be to shoot in the 60s because if the weather stays warm, there will some low real scoring.

''If the guy beats you, good luck to him. I have got many tournaments after this week and it will not make or break my year if I lose.''

If Els does win this week, and he has finished runner-up twice in this championship, he will re-assess his schedule in an attempt to top the European order of merit.

If Montgomerie is to retain the title, and more importantly improve his world ranking, he freely conceded that he must win events of this calibre.

This week he is armed with a new putter, a Callaway Tuttle 2, to try and improve his abysmal form on the greens.

He has also promised his interim caddie, Andy Pordger, a fiver for every putt he leaves short in practice and is currently #10 in debit.

''Specifically, I have changed my putter to a heavier one and am swinging it longer,'' he explained. ''I got quite short last week (at the Benson and Hedges) in trying to shove the ball in and it didn't work. Now I'm hitting the ball harder. I'm hitting the ball fine - it's just a matter of getting the ball in the hole.

''With the world championship tournaments coming into effect next year I believe world-ranking positions are taking over from the European standpoint, although having stayed on top of the order of merit for so long makes it harder to let go.

''I can be No.1 in the world. It is a realistic target if I can get a good run of events together.

''However, it also depends on what other people do at certain times.

''I got quite close to Greg Norman in 1996, the year he won the World Series and got away again. However, there were a couple of occasions where if I'd won that week I would have reached the No.1 spot.

''With Greg injured I am currently fourth and have Ernie, Tiger Woods, and Davis Love III to beat. Any time I play with Ernie I want to beat him and he wants to beat me. It is a very friendly rivalry and we tend to spur each other on.

''He doesn't have a weakness in any department. If you put everything together he might not be the straightest, the longest, or the best iron player or even the best putter.

''However, he is near the top in all categories and that is why he is No.1.''

German Bernhard Langer, forced out of the B&H last week with a neck injury, has had intensive treatment in Munich and is fit enough to take his chance.

''I am still sore and tight,'' he sighed. ''I've had so many problems over the past 25 years that it is difficult to know if they are related.

''Hopefully I will be swinging the club much more freely tomorrow.''