Els likes the Wentworth course as much as Harrington dislikes it

Harrington, Europe's top-ranked player, has said he is missing the European Tour's showpiece because the Wentworth course does not suit his game.

Els, ranked five places higher than Harrington at number three, said: "It is a little surprising.

"Padraig is such a quality player. With his type of game, he can play any type of golf course, you would think."

(Harrington) has his own views but I'm sure the European Tour is disappointed Ernie Els Iain Carter on Harrington

The 33-year-old South African goes into Thursday's event as favourite, and his bid for a first PGA Championship title will be made easier by the in-form Irishman's absence.

"I don't want to be too critical about it but (Harrington) is the top European player in the world and this is the flagship event for the European Tour," said Els.

"He's got his own views and says he doesn't like it this time of the year, and you've got to respect that. But I'm sure the European Tour is disappointed.

"This is one of the biggest tournaments and it's got some history. Money-wise, it's right up there with the US events. It can't be better for this tour. "

Els, whose house backs on to the Wentworth course, comes into the event with his game in good shape after a fifth-place finish at the TPC of Europe on Sunday. Harrington, incidentally, was second.

"I'd just love to win this tournament," said Els. "I've never won it, although I've had some really good PGAs here in the past."

Garrido beat Els' compatriot Trevor Immelman in a play-off last year

While Els is still chasing his first PGA Championship victory, he has been runner-up three times and has won Wentworth's World Match Play event five times.

"I'd like to play a bit more aggressively in the pro-am, try and make a few more birdies and see what happens," he said.

The main challenge to Els' title bid is likely to come from world number two Vijay Singh, world number 10 Retief Goosen and 14th-ranked Darren Clarke.

Also taking part are Open champion Ben Curtis and former major winners Nick Faldo, Paul Lawrie and Jose Maria Olazabal. The defending champion is Spaniard Ignacio Garrido.

Television coverage from Wentworth starts on BBC Two at 1330 on Thursday and Friday, at 1400 on BBC One on Saturday and at 1500 on BBC Two on Sunday.