Big guns come out to play on the Tour

WIND and water are set to challenge an elite field, including US Masters champion Nick Faldo, when the £700,000 Benson and Hedges International embarks on a fresh start at The Oxfordshire this morning. The professional view is that the season began in earnest in Madrid last week band is now set to gain momentum.

Seve Ballesteros is here, still hating the ominous question "How is your game?", while Colin Montgomerie is back in action having pulled out of last week's Spanish Open because of illness to his baby daughter And Bernhard Langer is attempting to extend a remarkable records Ian Woosnam, twice a winner on the European Tour already this season, is also in action. Indeed, his current well being was reflected in yesterday's pro am in which he brought in the winning team, which included Smurfit executive Paddy Wright, a 14 handicap member of Portmarnock. Another notable contributor to their 19 under par total was England rugby union international Jeremy Guscott, off 12.

Langer is making only his second European appearance of the season having finished in a share of 38th place in the Johnnie Walker Classic in Singapore on January 28th. In that event, he made his 67th successive cut, having last year beaten the record of 56 set by Neil Coles. In fact Langer has not missed a cut in Europe over the last five years.

"Cuts are so low nowadays that the sequence is bound to end, sooner or later," he said. What would he do with a weekend off? "Work on my game and find out what went wrong," he replied.

By his own admission, an outstanding short game has been a key element of his remarkable consistency go there will been considerable interest on his putting, to confirm the extent to which he has suffered a recurrence of the dreaded yips which were apparent during the US Masters last month.

As it happens, the field will discover that the challenge of The Oxfordshire is likely to extend to all aspects of its formidable 7,205 yards. Designed by Rees Jones, son of the illustrious American designer Robert Trent Jones, it has water in play on six holes, including the 585 yard 17th, which, as a gamble two shotter, can be reached with two woods. In fact Montgomerie had an eagle there in yesterday's pro-am.

Jones Jnr holds the distinction of having remodelled four US Open courses Brookline, Hazeltine, Baltusrol and Congressional. So, this venture into the heart of the Thames Valley is predictably of a high standard.

There are 10 Irishmen in the field Ronan Ralferty, Philip Walton, Padraig Harrington, Eamonn Darcy, Des Smyth, David Feherty, Christy O'Connor Jnr, Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley and Raymond Burns. In the context of Harrington's previous status, it is interesting to note that only one Category 12 player, Sweden's Patrik Sjoland, has gained acceptance.

Having been subjected to vicious weather at St Mellion in recent years, the sponsors decided to switch to more benign surroundings. But with hardly a tree in sight, The Oxfordshire is extremely exposed for a parkland course, and the wind is almost certain to be a key factor. Is it as good as the Jack Nicklaus designed St Mellion? "They are very different courses," replied Montgomerie, diplomatically.

The Scot went on to say that he had a long chat with Faldo during the Heritage Tournament, the weekend after Augusta. "Every body was talking about (Greg) Norman's demise, and as far as I'm concerned, the only reason he got himself into that position (of squandering a six shot lead) was because of the guy in his rear view mirror.

"It was the wrong guy to have, as far as Norman was concerned. Faldo won that tournament on Saturday when he finished birdie, par. That's when he won it. Playing with Norman on Sunday was the key. If Norman had played with Phil Mickelson, he would have a green jacket by now, I'm sure.

Montgomerie concluded "The one guy he didn't want to play with out of us all Els, Price,

Pavin or myself was Faldo. He is an intimidating figure. Hell, playing in the same team with him is intimidating, never mind against him."

A 24 year old Irish winner, of the Spanish Open will be playing with the Englishman over the next two days, after which he, too, will have an opinion on the Faldo factor. The world of professional golf can be remarkably small.