AN early commitment from an honest man has given a tremendous boost to the £750,000 Smurfit European Open at The K Club on September 26th 29th. It means an appearance here by the reigning British Open champion, Tom Lehman the first time this has happened since Nick Faldo defended the Irish Open at Mount Juliet in 1993, 117 months after winning at Muirfield.
The arrangement was made by tournament director Jamie Birkmyre last January. "When I met Tom at the Phoenix Open, he told me he enjoyed the 1995 European Open so much that he would certainly be back, if we'd have him," he said. "All we had was a handshake."
It was enough to ensure that there would be no change of heart from the 37 year old American after he had captured the British Open at Royal Lytham last month. He travelled here with his wife and three children last September this time the entourage will include his brother Jim, a scratch golfer who also acts as his manager.
Having won the British Open, I am now setting myself other targets," said Lehman. "I consider golf to be an international game so, as much as I enjoy winning on the US tour, I am aiming at other tifles around the world."
He is enjoying a most rewarding season. Apart from capturing his first major championship, he is currently fourth in the US money list with earnings of $1,144,571 from Irish tournaments, including the fort age of more than $57,000 per tournament.
His return to The K Club means he will miss the Buick Challenge at Mountain View, Georgia. In fact he is staying on for a second appearance in the German Masters a week later, so he will also miss the lucrative Las Vegas Invitational.
Meanwhile, Bernhard Langer will be defending a title captured in spectacular fashion last year after sinking a 70 foot eagle putt on the 72nd for a losing 68 which tied Barrr Lane.
The German proceeded to win the play off with a 20 foot birdie putt at the second extra hole.
That and three Irish Open victory have provided Langer with happy memories of this country.
But a cloud hangs over his current well being, caused by a recurrence of the dreaded yips, which sees him currently in 37th position in the European Order of Merit.
In the event, the Straffan line up will also include Colin Montgomerie, who captured the Murphy's Irish Open at Druids Glen last month. And the big Scot is hoping to improve his European Open performance of last year when he finished in a share of third place.
Montgomerie is currently in a familiar position, at the top of the Order of Merit. In fact it seems likely that Ian Woosnam is the only player standing between him and leadership for a record equalling fourth successive year. So, the presence of the Welshman should add considerable spice to the tournament.
A predictably strong Irish line up will include the recently crowned Austrian Open champion Paul McGinley, for whom his sponsoring club, Luttrellstown Castle staged special reception last night. David Feherty will also be among the home challengers.
Given the widespread criticism of an entry price of £25 into last month's Irish Open, it is interesting to note that admission prices at The K Club are being pegged at last year's figure of £15 for advance bookings. Indeed admission is £12.50 on the opening day and drops down to £7.50 for the pre tournament pro am on the Wednesday.
If at 37, Lehman could he considered to have left it somewhat late in achieving a "major" break through compatriot Clarence Rose was decidedly tardy at regular tour level. Having celebrated his 39th birthday last Monday, Rose gained his first US Tour victory by capturing the Sprint International at Castle Pines last Sunday.
It brought his earnings to $414,696 for the season so far, leaving him in 35th position in the current money list his highest ranking since joining the tour in 1981. Indeed, Rose's prize money this year is more than his combined earnings from the tour for the previous seven years going back to the 1989.
This week's European activity is in the German Open in Stuttgart where a strong Irish entry includes McGinley in Category 5, reserved for tournament winners over the last two years. The other Irish challengers are Ronan Rafferty, Padraig Harrington, Eamonn Darcy, Des Smyth, Darren Clarke, Raymond Burns, David Higgins and Francis Howley.
A share of 30th place in the Czech Open last weekend earned Higgins £6,182, bringing him to £43,733 for the season. So, a top 20 finish in Germany would effectively guarantee the retention of his player's card for 1997. Francis Howley, on the other hand, is in some trouble, £16,000 worse off.
