AUTUMN, and Bernhard Langer finds himself in a rather unusual situation. For the first time in 18 years on the European Tour, he hasn't won a tournament. And, with just three more events left in his season's schedule, the defending Smurfit European Open champion finds time is running out.
The statistics confirm Langer's place as the circuit's "Mr Consistency". His winning stint of 17 consecutive years was matched only by Seve Ballesteros, who had a similar spell from 1976-92; however, with £5,278,334 in prize money in Europe alone, Langer tops that particular list. So, in an attempt to recapture the winning feeling, Langer is sticking with the broomhandle putter on the K Club's greens.
"I actually got the long putter in America earlier this year, but only practised with it for a half hour here and there," said Langer. "I used it for the first time at the Lancome in Paris two weeks ago, when I didn't have a single three putt or didn't miss from four feet or less. I'll be using it again here."
Langer's putting touch deserted him this season. For a man who had finished in the top five in the Order of Merit for the previous six years 1996 has been a huge disappointment, and his current position of 42nd - with £128,407 in earnings - reflects how much soul searching Langer was forced to undertake before moving to the broomhandle, an implement which has provided salvation for a number of players in recent seasons.
"I am not totally happy with my game, but I can sort out the fading or slicing. However, my problems were on the greens and I felt my putting was costing me two to four shots a round, and that was just too much," said Langer.
He added: "I talked to a few guys and tried different ways of gripping the putter, and different ways of standing. But I'd struggled with my on and off and felt I had to do something. I believe it was a good move, however. I'm standing taller and there is less pressure on my back. With the other putter, I just wasn't confident any more. Putts were going left going right, going short. The consistency just wasn't there any more.
Langer has three more tournaments to keep the sequence alive apart from the European Open, he will compete in the German Masters next week and, finally, the Volvo Masters. "I would obviously like to win one of those three events," he said. "But if it doesn't happen, life will go on and it is up to me to try and improve."
Has Langer the confidence to win here? "I won't know the answer, really, until I play. If I strike the ball well, I can win; it is a matter of making enough good shots. I know how to win, so if I get the opportunity I should be able to do it."
One thing in Langer's favour is his history on Irish soil: three Irish Open titles and, then, the European Open last year, indicate that he is a player to respond to the challenge on Irish terrain.
