Friday May 21, 2010, 07:14 PM

Ernie Els has hit back at players who have criticised his redesign of the West Course at Wentworth during the current European PGA Championship.

Els claimed that none of his colleagues have come to him with their complaints, saying they have run to the media instead.

The South African star and course owner Richard Caring disagreed over the height of the green on the 18th which has drawn criticism from leading golfers, in particular world number three Lee Westwood.

Caring eventually over-ruled Els on the green, and has since admitted he was wrong, but the South African has still borne the brunt of the flak from the players.

Els said: "I feel very disappointed about everything that has been said. It hurts a little bit but you have got to be man enough to stand up and take it on the chin.

"I played a practice round on Tuesday and in the pro-am on Wednesday and nothing was said then. Then you read about it in the newspapers. I was not happy."

"Richard Caring did not want 18 under winning the tournament and if he is willing to spend a bit more money we can rectify it. Everyone knows exactly what has gone on and hopefully things have not got too out of control.

"Richard is a man of his word and he said if it does not work then he will take the brunt for it and he has done that - I give him full points for taking it on the chin.

"I always said I wanted the green lower so the ball can stay on it if you hit a proper golf shot. As a professional golfer I knew it wasn't quite right but we let it go."

Els dumped his second in the water on the 18th on the first day but showed his fellow professionals how to do it when he was on the green in two in his second round on Friday after hitting a seven-iron second shot.

He finished with a birdie to sign for 70 which left him three-under for the tournament, three shots behind clubhouse leader Luke Donald.

He added: "I had to go for the green as the designer. It was a good finish."

© 2010 AFP/sid