THE effectiveness of the long putter in educated hands was brilliantly demonstrated by Des Smyth and David Feherty when the Sun Dutch Open began at Hilversum yesterday.
Smyth celebrated the first anniversary of his adoption of the broom handle with a seven under 64, while Feherty, a new convert with only five rounds experience, charged into a share of second place with Frenchman Jean Van de Velde on 65.
Smyth's 64, which contained seven birdies and an eagle three at the 18th, was only one shot outside the Hilversum course record.
"I am delighted. It is my lowest score on tour this year and it is a real shot in the arm for me," said the 43 year old Drogheda professional. "Mind you, I am old and I am Irish, so there will be a lot of questions asked about this burst of form," he added impishly.
Thirty minutes earlier Feherty had found similar inspiration with the putter that close friend Torrance gave him, and which he first used in the final round of the Scottish Open at Carnoustie.
Feherty uses a 48in club with which Sam Torrance had claimed five victories. "I can putt again," he exclaimed after posting six birdies.
"But I hope the putter doesn't realise that it is me who is using it," he quipped. "It is definitely mine now, but perhaps I should try to grow a moustache and put on a bit of weight so that it carries on behaving."
