Players agree conditions are almost perfect

PERHAPS the unexpectedly tranquil weather conditions acted as some kind of anaesthetic, but there was a surreal feel yesterday - somewhat akin to the calm before the storm - on the eve of the Smurfit European Open, which starts at The K Club today, with the players making all the right noises about, the course and the tournament.

The danger, of course, is that should the weather turn nasty or, indeed, any part of the course somehow fail to meet such high expectations over the next four days, the players could be exposed as wolves in sheeps clothing.

Be that as it may, the vast majority of the professionals chasing the £125,000 top prize appear at one (for the moment, at least) about the manner in which the course has been set up, even if it promises to be a tough test.

The tougher the better would, sometimes, appear to be the motto of Colin Montgomerie and, certainly, he is one of the more honest judges. For example, when some moaned about the depth of sand in the bunkers during the Murphys Irish Open at Druids Glen he almost laughed; and, last week, when the complaints focused on pin positions at Loch Lomond, he was similarly critical of his colleagues.

"It was bordering on the pathetic," he said yesterday. "I was very disappointed to hear of such complaints; sure there are places in Augusta where you have a wedge in your hand and you're not playing to the pin. Loch Lomond was bordering on perfect all week but because people can't hit it to two feet every time they complain."

So, Montgomerie, who is seeking to achieve a number of feats over The K Club course, won't be changing his tune, "whatever the outcome this week. There were rumours on the (European) Tour a few months ago that the greens here were not so good, but those stories don't appear to be true. From what I see, they have succeeded in getting them up to tour condition," he said.

There were similar sentiments almost everywhere about the greens. "They're certainly a lot better than they were last year," admitted British Open champion Tom Lehman, adding "but still not perfect. The ball tends to make a little explosion when it, hits the green.

The emphasis will be on the battle for the title. Indeed, Montgomerie has most to gain, it would seem, if he manages to win. With Australian Robert Allenby withdrawing from the tournament yesterday due to the foot injury incurred on the way to his car after finishing play in the Loch Lomond Invitational on Sunday, only his closest pursuer, Ian Woosnam can stop Montgomerie claiming a fourth Order of Merit in a row. Montgomerie is £141,548 ahead of the Welshman.

"Ian's good enough to win the Order of Merit from this position but, if I'm honest, he probably needs some help from me, agreed Montgomerie. "If I play my usual consistent self, I should be okay. My policy is to look after number one - and that's me!"

Another incentive for Montgomerie, who has already amassed £4,949,683 in prizemoney on the European Tour alone since turning professional in 1987, is the magical goal of surpassing the £5 million mark.

Not that Montgomerie can expect an easy time. Apart from the presence of Lehman, Langer and Woosnam in the field, there is a strength in depth reflected in the fact that 21 of the top 25 players in the current Volvo rankings are competing. And, of course, there are 19 home players seeking to end a drought extending back as far as John O'Leary's Irish Open win in 1982 when an Irishman last scooped a European Tour win on Irish soil.

The 19 Irishmen are: Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley, Padraig Harrington, Raymond Burns, Philip Walton, Ronan Rafferty, Des Smyth, Eamonn Darcy, David Higgins, Francis Howley, Eoghan O'Connell, John McHenry, Gary Murphy, Damian Mooney, Brendan McGovern, Jimmy Heggarty, Stephen Hamill, Damien McGrane, and Irish amateur champion Peter Lawrie.

"Certainly, there appears to be a great deal of hope amongst the Irish contingent - and, like their international counterparts, they are almost gushing praise for the course. It is a great lay out, terrific design," said Lehman, a point re emphasised by Clarke who agreed, "the course really is in great condition."

Indeed, Clarke is in buoyant mood and anticipating a genuine challenge for honours this week. His confidence has been boosted by the recent change in coaches from Bill Ferguson to Peter Cowan. "He has me concentrating more on ball striking," said Clarke. "It has got to the stage now where I wake up at 6.30 in the morning and just can't wait to get to the golf course." An indication of Clarke's well being came with a 68 (keeping his own score) in yesterday's Pro Am. A repeat in the white heat of competition today would be more than acceptable.

But there are plenty of battles for the Irish. Harrington is hot on the heels of Raymond Russell in the race for "rookie of the year", although Thomas Bjorn's win last week also brings him into the equation. Harrington hopes a visit to Wattie Sullivan on Tuesday afternoon will help iron out a few creases in his game.

Then there is Burns, who needs a good four days - especially over his home club, so to speak, as he is the touring professional - to move up the rankings and, perhaps, earn a ticket to the Volvo Masters in Valderrama next month. Only the top 50 players in the Order of Merit make it.

So, there is much to play for as the European Open returns to The K Club for a second staging. It needed a dramatic 70 footer for an eagle from Langer on the 18th last year to force a play off with Barry Lane, which the German subsequently won on the second tie hole. Who is to say there won't be an even more dramatic ending this time around?