Colin Montgomerie and his new caddie Andy Prodger forged an impressive partnership yesterday, with the Scot reeling off nine birdies in a practice round for the Benson and Hedges International.
Europe's No.1 was deprived of regular caddie Alistair McLean on the eve of the US Masters and had to hire a local one, which did little to help his challenge there.
McLean had to return to Scotland for surgery on his back. He is making progress, but no date has been set for his return and the vastly experienced Prodger could be with Montgomerie in the US Open at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, where he believes he can capture his first major.
He snapped up Perth-based Prodger after the caddie's return from America, where he had been temping with Lee Janzen. Prodger also has had spells with Nick Faldo, Anders Forsbrand, Ken Brown, and Stephen Webster.
He said after day one with Montgomerie: ''Considering he has not played since the Masters, he was simply awesome in making nine birdies on a course like the Oxfordshire. Colin was going to hire different people until Alistair was fit but it makes more sense to have the same man in place.
''I learned a lot from Janzen. Nowadays it seems the most successful players form successful teams with their caddies and you only have to look at Tiger Woods and David Duval to realise this.
''It isn't about asking what club is required, then blaming the man on the bag if it goes wrong. It is about discussion and a positive message coming forward.
''Colin, I believe, is a player who seeks his caddie's advice and I am looking forward to working with him for as long as is necessary.
''Let's face it - not much can go wrong with him. His rhythm never changes. That is the main thing that he works on. All I have to do is ensure he has the right club and keep him calm and focused.''
While Prodger anticipates his man to be a contender in this week for the #125,000 first prize, he cannot see any light at the end of the tunnel for Faldo, who dismissed him after they had won five tournaments together.
''He is the mechanical man but has lost his feel for the game,'' said Prodger, who was bitterly upset at the manner of their parting.
''Surely it cannot be too difficult just to think of his tempo, like Colin does, rather than where his club is at every point in the swing? When did Faldo ever miss fairways like he does now, or shoot an 83? He has a serious problem and must deal with it.''
q FRESH from his first victory in 10 months, Tiger Woods said he was eager to resume his quest as the top golfer in the world.
Woods, 22, is ranked No.1 in the current rankings after victory last week in the American tour event in Atlanta, Georgia. He said in a pre-tournament press conference yesterday in Irving, Texas, that he was eager to test his game against the other top players.
''We're not all playing well at the same time so no-one has broken away from the pack. Week in, week out, it's going to be one of us. If we were all playing good at the same time, it would certainly be an exciting tournament.''
He has entered the 1998 GTE Byron Nelson Classic along with main rivals Ernie Els, 1997 Open champion Justin Leonard, and Masters champion Mark O'Meara. US tour leading money-winner David Duval pulled out yesterday, citing exhaustion.
Woods said his game this year is actually better than it was last year, when he won the Masters in record-breaking fashion. ''I am playing better, my stroke average is better. I'm disappointed I haven't won more but I'm playing better than last year and that is the most encouraging thing.''
q Euan Little (Portpatrick) and Craig Hislop (Eden) lead the Scottish challenge after yesterday's first round of the #20,000 MasterCard Tournament at the exclusive Wynward Club, near Newcastle.
Little began with a 25-foot birdie putt but had to settle for a two-under 70, one better than Hislop, but three behind Essex-born leader Russell Hurd. Leading scores:
67 - R Hurd. 68 - R Wragg, R Dinsdale. 69 - N Roderick, J Knight. 70- S Hurd, J Eddolls, P Fenton, E Little, J Hepworth, N Walton. Other Scots: 71 - C Hislop. 72 - S Thompson. 73 - S MacPherson. 74 - A Tait, D Fleming.
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