Trio of big names out to revive fortunes

PORTUGUESE OPEN:THE PORTUGUESE Open has attracted more big names than normal this week, but as David Howell admitted: "We're here because we're not playing that well."

Howell is joined at Oitavos Dunes near Estoril by 2006 Ryder Cup team-mates Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley, and for all of them it is a clear indication of how far they have fallen since their K Club heroics.

Europe's top players have their minds on next week's US Masters, of course, but none of the trio has qualified.

McGinley's presence in Portugal last year stuck out like a sore thumb because he was the only member of Ian Woosnam's triumphant side not in the Augusta field.

This time only eight of them will be there. Colin Montgomerie has also missed out, but after trying and failing in America to fight his way back into the world's top 50 - and having angry words about invitations to three Asian players ranked lower than him - he is now taking time off before his wedding in two weeks.

McGinley is 149th in the rankings, and that thanks to a third-place finish in South Korea on his last start three weeks ago.

"Last year I didn't have any top 10s and I have two this year, ninth in Abu Dhabi and now third," the Dubliner said. "It gets me up in the world ranking and gets me up the Order of Merit. Ryder Cup I'm still way behind, so I need a big finish, it's always about the big finish.

"The standard on the tour now is just unbelievably strong, it's incredible, really incredible.

"The scoring, the cuts are much lower than you think and the winning score is much lower than you think. It's just so difficult to win.

"There are 40 guys who could make the Ryder Cup team. We could not say that even three or four years ago. I think that shows you how much strength-in-depth we have now on the Tour."

Clarke is down at 240th in the world, but like McGinley things have started looking up again.

The Ulsterman had a third-place finish in the South African Open before Christmas, began 2008 by coming fourth in the Joburg Open and was 10th in Malaysia a month ago.

The gulf between his current game and that of Ryder Cup partner Lee Westwood was apparent, though, when they were paired together in Spain last week. Westwood led the first day and went on to finish third, Clarke missed the cut.

Howell is just three places higher than Clarke at 237th, and that after being in the top 10 a mere 20 months ago.

The 32-year-old from Swindon, who had a terrible time with injuries last year, did have a seventh-place finish in Qatar in January, but his last three starts have seen three more missed cuts in India, Malaysia and then the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida.

Defending champion Pablo Martin, the first amateur to win on the European Tour, said he had no regrets about delaying the launch of his professional career after landing last year's title.

The 21-year-old Spaniard has made a slow start since turning professional in June but, hopes to kick-start his game when he returns to Estoril.

Martin decided to go back to Oklahoma State University to represent his college team, thereby missing eight European Tour events before switching from the amateur ranks to play in the 2007 US Open.

"I don't regret not turning pro straight away," said Martin. "I promised my coach at college I would go back and I was able to finish all but the last year of my economics degree.

"I can finish that when I want now. It would have been nice to earn money, but I hope I will have plenty of years to do that."

Martin made a fine professional debut, finishing 30th at Oakmont, but lost his form in the second half of the season. A return to Portugal for the Portugal Masters saw him regain form as he finished 21st.

He repeated that performance at last month's Arnold Palmer Invitational on the US PGA Tour after missing four cuts on the European Tour. His display in Orlando, and a chance to work again with his coaches in America, put Martin in optimistic mood and he finished 25th in Spain last week.

"I've been playing much better lately and I'm starting to putt better which is very important," he said. "I think this can be a good week if I don't make too many mistakes because I know I'm going to have a very good feeling about the course."

Along with McGinley and Clarke, the other Irish in the field are Peter Lawrie, Damien McGrane, Gary Murphy and Rory McIlroy.

Course:Oitavos Dunes, Estoril.

Opened in 2001, designed by Arthur Hills. A Links-style course. Generally flat and exposed, particularly by the sea, with no water hazards. Greens are undulating, with bent - poa annua grass and a 9.2 Stimpmetre reading.

Length:6,894 yards. Par: 71.

Prizemoney:€1.25 million.

Field:156.

Defending champion:Spain's Pablo Martin, the first amateur to win on the European Tour.

First played:1973, Jaime Benito.

On TV:Sky Sports 2, 11.30-13.30, 14.30-16.30.

Weather:Clear, 230C.