AUSTRIAN OPEN:PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON is hoping a new swing will help him to a much-needed high finish when he makes his debut at the Austrian Open today.
The Dubliner has managed only one top-10 placing this season and is currently languishing down in 87th place in the Race to Dubai, with only the top 60 qualifying for the season-ending Dubai World Championships.
The three-time Major winner has been working hard with new coach Pete Cowen and he will unveil a new swing in the opening round at the Diamond Country Club.
Harrington told www.europeantour.com: “My game has been up and down all year as everyone knows but I have seen a lot of positives recently.
“I recently changed coach and have been making a few changes to my swing, which people will see this week. The main change that I think people will notice is that the backswing will be wider and shorter.
“It is starting to feel good and I am really looking forward to getting out and competing here this week to gauge where my game is at and how I play in tournament conditions with the changes.
“I tend to overdo things when I practice, so coming out here this week will help me to moderate things and see where I am with the golf swing in tournament play.”
Also in action this week will be youngsters Tom Lewis and Paul Cutler, who celebrated their part in Europe’s Walker Cup victory over the USA by turning professional.
The Austrian tournament represents the first step as they bid to secure their European Tour cards for next season, and, for Lewis in particular, expectations are already high.
The 20-year-old from Welwyn Garden City led the British Open in July after the first round and, although he could not maintain that level, he comfortably won the Silver Medal for the best amateur.
Lewis said: “I am very excited to get out there and see how I measure up. The Open was fantastic for me and I learnt a lot from the occasion. All the experiences gleaned from my amateur career will hopefully stand me in good stead as I try to earn my European Tour card for next year.”
The defending champion is Spaniard Jose Manuel Lara, who went into last year’s event on the back of nine consecutive missed cuts but shot a final-round 64 and then beat David Lynn in a play-off.
Lewis and Cutler will tee off together alongside Austrian amateur Manuel Trappel while Lara and Harrington are also together, and another notable group includes Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez and flamboyant American John Daly.
AUSTRIAN OPEN
Course: Diamond CC, Atzenbrugg.
Prize money: €1m (€166,660 to the winner).
Length: 6,753 metres. Par: 72. Field: 132.
The layout: Open layout includes water hazards on nine holes, which really come into play when it is windy. Front nine, with two long par fours (460m first and 448m eighth), two long par fives (532m sixth and 540m seventh) is tougher than the back nine, where two easy par fives (462m 10th and 498m 13th) offer eagle opportunities.
Defending champion: Jose Manuel Lara.
Type of player suited to challenge: Accurate driver and a good putter.
Key attribute: Accuracy.
Weather forecast: Sunshine and light breezes.
On TV: Sky Sports 1 from 10am.
