GOLF: The US Open runner-up Stephen Leaney goes into this week's French Open still searching for a regular caddie.

"Second in the US Open and 23rd in the world and I still can't find a caddie!" the Australian said yesterday.

He will use Bernhard Langer's long-standing caddie Pete Coleman at Le National, but the Englishman and the German will be back together next week for the European Open here.

Leaney's former regular caddie, Englishman Steve Rawlinson, was poached by seven-time European number one Colin Montgomerie at the Volvo PGA Championship, three weeks before the US Open.

The 34-year-old Australian has managed rather well without a regular beside him, though.

At Olympia Fields, where he was only bettered by Jim Furyk, he used two caddies when the bagman he had earlier in the event, fell sick. He has used four caddies since losing Rawlinson.

His decision to play full-time on the US Tour next year means he may only get a regular bagman short-term.

"It's hard for the guys here to commit themselves to a full season in America next year, so all I really want is someone for the rest of this year," he said.

Leaney is playing the next four events in Europe, ending with the British Open, and then he is going to look for a house as a base for America next year. With Padraig Harrington not playing in France, Leaney can leapfrog the Dubliner from third to second in the European rankings.

However, six other Irish players will be in Paris this week - Graeme McDowell, Paul McGinley, Ronan Rafferty, Peter Lawrie, Gary Murphy and former winner Philip Walton.

Jose Maria Olazabal, eighth at the US Masters, bids for his second French Open title in three years. The Spaniard, who won in Lyon two years ago, described his recent putting as "awful".

"In the early stages of my career I was a great putter," said Olazabal. "Lately, it has not been the situation. I putted well early last year but after that it was gone again. But I've been working hard on it, so we'll see what that brings this week."

Olazabal plays alongside last week's Diageo Championship winner Soren Kjeldsen and the Danes are out in force, with Thomas Bjorn also returning to European duty.

Justin Rose, who tied fifth in the US Open, believes his fine showing at Olympia Fields, will boost his performances over the next four weeks in four top events in Europe.

"Hopefully that result will give me a bit of confidence to turn my steady play this year into something much better," said Rose, 14th in Europe.