Faldo leads strong European challenge

IF ONE includes the English-born Edward Fryatt, who is based in Las Vegas and plies his trade on the Asian circuit, there are 16 European challengers in this week's US Open.

That reflects the remarkable growth in transatlantic traffic since Tony Jacklin was a lone European figure, when capturing the trophy at Hazeltine in 1970.

Ironically, the European standard-bearer on this occasion is American-based. And Nick Faldo will also be the top attraction in the Murphy's Irish Open at Druids Glen on July 3rd to 6th. He likes Congressional. So does Ian Woosnam, recent winner of the Volvo PGA Championship.

Earlier this week, Faldo was seen on the putting green here with his coach, David Leadbetter, video-camera at the ready, grasping his pupil's nether regions in a rather suggestive manner. Though it had to do with nothing more sinister than improving the position of the player's left knee, Faldo has learned to humour the American media.

"It's a hell of a movie," he said. "I think it was entitled `Leadbetter Does Washington.' Yes, it's an HBO special - for late-night viewing.

The winner of six major championships looked decidedly relaxed as he contemplated the impending challenge. "This is a very good, long, solid, honest golf course," he said. "It's all there in front of you. There are no surprises, no trick holes."

His only criticism concerned the 475-yard sixth which he felt should have been left as a natural par five. And if Frank Hannigan is right, Faldo's overall comments will be of some concern to erstwhile colleagues on the organising committee.

Hannigan, a former senior executive director of the USGA and now a television pundit, responded: "When the players say a course is fair, you begin to worry. My motto was `make them suffer'."

But why should established par fives be changed to long par fours simply to accommodate an overall par of 70? "Just because the members play a hole as a par-five doesn't mean that's how it should be played," said Hannigan. "For instance, if I had my way I'd change the 13th at Augusta into a par four.

"Let's be honest, the real test of a golf course is how the professionals handle it. And who cares what the par is. It's the total that counts, after you have satisfied yourself that you have set them a searching test."

Interestingly, - Faldo's reservation about the sixth had more to do with the shape of the hole than its length. In fact his general feeling about the course was: "I'm happy with it. It suits the way I play the game as a left to right hitter. You can feed the long irons in from the front of the green and if my putting is half decent, I should do well here.

Meanwhile, Woosnam has been similarly impressed with Congressional. "It's one of the best courses I've played for a long time," said the Welshman. "The greens are good and the fairways are brilliant."

There is a general feeling here that a short hitter has little point in even ing up on the first tee. Mind you, certain observers would have taken that view about Corey Pavin's prospects two years ago at Shinnecock Hills, where he gained a memorable triumph.

"There aren't many short hitters these days," said Woosnam. "It's just that a lot of guys are hitting it so long. It you can get your drive out there at 260 and keep in on the fairway, you're long enough to compete anywhere. The most important thing is to hit it on the fairway.

Woosnam, who finished second to Curtis Strange at Oak Hill in 1989, went on to acknowledge, however, that the Americans tend to be straighter drivers of the ball. But he cited exceptions. "Obviously Colin Montgomerie drives it straight and as a result he's done well in this championship." he said. "He should be a force this week."

He went on: "Then we've got Lee Westwood who's a very promising young player and Darren Clarke who proved himself by finishing second to me in the PGA. If these lads drive the ball straight, they're long enough to do really well here.

Then, as if doing a public relations job for the Irish challengers, Woosnam told his American audience: "We have a lot of good young players in Europe at the moment. There's a young lad named Paul McGinley. He hits the ball straight."

Meanwhile, a particularly interesting European challenger is Jesper Parnevik, making his US Open debut. With five top-three finishes on the American tour so far this season, the 32-year-old Swede earned a formidable $791,490 from 14 events.

Overall, the European challenge looks strong. Among the debutants, I particularly like the prospects of Westwood, who recovered brilliantly from an opening 77 to claim a share of 24th place in the Masters. Like the Irish, his prime target will be to make the cut.