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Green is a new man after Dubai heroics |
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2/10/2006 8:00:48 AM |
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Thursday Feb 9 18:06 AEDT
It took just one week for Richard Green to transform his game and if Thursday's opening round of the Johnnie Walker Classic is any indication, the rest of the golfing world should take note.
After turning professional in 1992, Green had enjoyed modest success prior to last week's Dubai Classic.
He earned his lone European title in Dubai in 1997 and also won the 2004 Australian Masters.
But his approach to golf and belief in his own ability changed last week and he can attribute the change to two men - Tiger Woods and Ernie Els.
Green faced the two greats head-on in Dubai and called their bluff, taking a one-shot lead into the final hole before a bogey ended his charge, Woods ultimately beating Els in a playoff.
Green's effort on Sunday, shooting a final round 68 to Woods' 69 and Els' 67, was the final step he needed to truly join the elite of the golfing world.
It made Green a believer.
"Before you do something like that with those guys, you feel you're never going to put them under pressure because they're such good players," he said.
"Ernie's number five at the moment but he's probably number two really and Tiger's number one. You just don't think you're ever going to rattle them at all.
"I did that on Sunday and it gives you loads of confidence and belief you can compete with the guys.
"There's no reason I can't beat those guys as well.
"That's how I feel about it."
Green carried that belief into this week's event at The Vines in Perth, shooting an opening six-under par 66, two shots behind early clubhouse leader Kevin Stadler.
The one disappointment for Green is that he should have reached this point almost a decade ago.
It was in Dubai in 1997 when he stared down Greg Norman and Ian Woosnam and beat them in a playoff.
"I should've had a lot more belief, but it's only something I've been able to gather in my 30s," he said.
"I've struggled to believe in my own ability for a long time and it's only really coming to fruit now."
After a solid career in Europe, the US PGA Tour now awaits the 34-year-old.
Armed with his new mental strength, Green will have a crack at America, as early as next year.
"I thought about going there in '97 after I won in Dubai," he said.
"But I backed out and committed to the European Tour.
"At this stage it's difficult to uproot that whole lifestyle and change.
"Once my little girl goes to school in Australia permanently (next year), I'll be freer to play more in America."
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