Twice PGA Championship winner Anders Hansen said he is in better shape this year as he prepares to defend his title at the European Tour's flagship event on Thursday.

The 37-year-old Dane, who has not won a tournament outside of his 2002 and 2007 victories at the famous Wentworth course, believes increased fitness has led to a "transition" in his game.

"I've been trying to improve my technique, and trying to improve my fitness level; and doing that, I've been trying to play less. I'm hitting far more solidly than I did one year ago," Hansen said.

"So game-wise, I feel better than I have at any time in my career."

The addition of South African coach Jamie Gough - who also works with Briton David Howell - has led to Hansen lifting weights for the first time and helped him attain the goal of improving his fitness, technique and strength.

"Have I reached that goal? Yes," the world number 63 said. "But if it's coming down to whether my results have been there, we'll see. There's still a long way to go."

Despite being plagued by inconsistency throughout his 13-year career, Hansen believes his best golf is still ahead of him.

"Absolutely," he replied when asked whether this was true. "I like to think so: I never give up.

"I feel like I'm swinging the club better than I ever have."

He will tee off with Britons Lee Westwood and Luke Donald in the opening two rounds on Thursday and Friday.

With the opportunity to join Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie, Bernhard Langer and Peter Alliss as the only players to have won the PGA Championship three times or more, his affinity to the tournament remains strong.

"If I had to pick two tournaments to win, this is the right one to do it twice in. At this point of my career, I'm quite happy where I am," he said.

Reuters