Unfazed Hoey plans for further heroics

Some fingers are pointing towards the young man dressed in black. Wedge in hand, he's going about his business on the range, unaware of the tongues wagging and the eyes watching.

Unfazed and relaxed, Michael Hoey - the British Amateur champion - has the appearance of someone who has taken to tournament golf like a duck to water.

Five years ago, when the British Open was last staged at Royal Lytham & St Annes, another amateur by the name of Tiger Woods had them talking.

On this occasion, Hoey, whose front nine of 29 in the final round of the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond on Sunday raised his profile still further, is the player who has attracted the curious observers.

It's been a wonderful season so far for the Belfast man, and it is far from over with the Walker Cup next month looming large on the horizon.

"I didn't think I would get this much success," remarked Hoey. "But I've worked hard for it. I've done a lot of strength training, which has resulted in me hitting the ball further. And I read a lot of psychology books. I'm big into it, and it certainly helps under pressure."

Hoey can certainly cope with pressure. He proved it in winning the British Amateur in Prestwick last month and, on Sunday, playing alongside Michael Campbell in the Scottish Open, he confirmed it.

"A fantastic achievement," said the Kiwi of Hoey's birdie blitz. "I played well," agreed Hoey, adding: "I holed some putts to get the round going and used a bit of psychology to get me through it. I believe I belong out here, otherwise I couldn't have shot 64." After his heroics in Scotland - where he finished in tied-11th place in only his second appearance in a European Tour event - Hoey drove down to the Lancashire coast and admitted to feeling tired on his arrival at the course yesterday when he confined himself to hitting some balls on the range and then to playing nine holes later in the day.

"I don't want to wear myself out before Thursday. You don't get that much adrenalin every week and I don't want to use it up on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday when it doesn't count," he said.

He has been promised a practice round with Darren Clarke today - "I intend to watch his short game especially, and maybe learn a thing or two from him" - as he eases his way into the week. And, with the British amateur title already captured, Hoey would like to make it a double of sorts by also taking the medal as leading amateur in the British Open.

"I love links golf and if it is windy it won't bother me too much. I'll try to play decent and see what happens but I have my eye on that medal for low amateur, so it would be nice to make the cut and get that."