Price could be right for another surge

All the marketing posters in the build-up to this year's European Open proclaim, "New Course. New Champion?" Phillip Price, for one, hopes that's not a leading question writes Philip Reid at the K-Club.

For although he has experienced a quiet season to date, the Welshman's return to Straffan, Co Kildare, has rekindled memories of what he termed his "most satisfying" moment on tour.

Given that Price is now into his 15th full season on the professional circuit, and that last year's win was just the third of his career, he can be forgiven for being a touch nostalgic. Even a look at the programme cover for this year's tournament - which has him celebrating his win - prompted fond recall. "I looked at the programme, and I was frothing on the front page," he quipped.

Price, who still yearns to secure his US Tour card, believes there are similarities betweem his form this year and last year when he used the European Open triumph as a springboard to a magical three-week spell that also saw him finish runner-up in the Scottish Open and 10th in the British Open.

"Everything's pretty similar . . . I'm happy with the way my game is shaping up, I just don't seem to be putting it all together. But my game is better than ever, as a whole. I've to start driving it better, to get into the zone and build a bit of confidence."

Maybe a return to The K Club is just the tonic that Price requires, even if the event is on a different course. "I've won and finished second (on the Palmer Course), so I do like it . . . but there are no similarities to this one. This plays long, but I don't think the rough is as punishing as the other course."

Certainly, he could do with a turn in form. His best finish on the European Tour this season was tied-14th in the Qatar Masters in March while Price's last outing at the US Open left him in tied-57th and with memories of a closing round 84 that included a quadruple-bogey eight on the 10th hole where he still managed to keep the honour from Craig Parry.

"We just looked at each other when that happened, we couldn't keep it on the green . . . I think they went so far over the limit that the powers that be should be changed, it was awful."

At least he won't have to contend with such a set-up this time as he sets out in defence of a title that was last defended by Lee Westwood in 2000.