Bjorn vindicated by Forest title
16/05/2005 - 08:55:10Thomas Bjorn never had any doubt that he was doing the right thing in turning down a place on the US tour this year.
But it feels an even better decision now that he has won the British Masters - a first European victory since his traumatic loss of the 2003 Open at Sandwich.
While the likes of Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood, Greg Owen, Ian Poulter and Brian Davis have now joined the money-spinning circuit across the Atlantic, father-of-three Bjorn sat down with his wife Pernilla and mapped out a different schedule.
“I’ve tried America and it didn’t work for me,” said the 34-year-old Dane, who beat Davis and David Howell at the second hole of a sudden death play-off at the Forest of Arden.
“It’s mostly due to family reasons as I feel I’ve spent too much time away from them, but I also think it's the best thing for my golf. I can’t be away for four, five or six weeks. It’s such a big thing for me to get back on Sunday night and have a day at home – it’s so important.
“We made the decision that we didn’t want to move to America. We’re happy in England (they live on a luxurious estate in Surrey) and if I’m not taking my family there then I’m not going to play a full schedule there.
“I will still play 10 tournaments in America, but I’m going to concentrate on Europe. If I was 22 and single I’d be over there like a shot, but I’m not. I’ve a wife and three young kids.
“I like the States and the PGA Tour, but it takes so much out of you. I feel comfortable in Europe and so that’s where I’m going to play most of my golf. It’s done me no good going to America for three or four-week stretches. I feel I’m wearing out that way and then not enjoying Europe when I come back.
“I have a very clear mind now on what I want to do, what I need to work on and my golf has already improved dramatically as a consequence.
“I’m not trying to find a way out. I still want to be a part of major golf - that’s where I want to be, on the biggest stage. I want to be one of the best players in the world, that’s my goal. I know I can be. I’ve shown it enough times to myself to know I can.”
When Bjorn failed to grab his golden chance to win the Open two years ago – he was three strokes ahead with four to play – people were quick to tell him he would soon be back challenging for that first major title.
A mere seven days later he was in a play-off for the Irish Open at Portmarnock, but lost that to Michael Campbell and then went down to Ernie Els in the final of the HSBC World Match Play at Wentworth.
Bjorn did win the Dunlop Phoenix in Japan, but then came a nightmare run in the States which included missing the cut at the Masters and US Open.
At the European Open last July he walked out after six holes because he simply could not take any more of “fighting demons”.
He missed out on a Ryder Cup place, but Bernhard Langer chose him as one of his assistants.
Being part of the record-breaking win in Detroit made him all the more determined to hopefully win a third cap next year.
“There have been some tough times and that makes this my sweetest win,” he commented last night.
“I’ve learned a lot about myself and have been very hard on myself, but I had a wonderful attitude this week and took the good and bad with a smile.
“If I hadn’t won I still would have gone home happy, but it’s a fantastic feeling to do it. Some of my biggest letdowns have come on British soil and it’s great to do something right.”
Howell, without a win since the 1999 Dubai Desert Classic, led by one on the final tee after chipping in at the 17th to match Bjorn’s eagle there.
But the Swindon golfer failed to get up and down from sand and, after Davis’ exit with a bogey on the first extra hole, Howell did the same when he hit back into the bunker.
He said: “All the stuff I’ve been working on with my swing just didn’t stand up to the pressure there at the end. I’m very disappointed.”
Davis, playing his first event in Europe after earning nearly £400,000 in America, commented: “It was a real struggle – the swing was all over the place and I didn’t have the speed on my putter all day.
“I was a bit annoyed on the 10th because somebody hadn’t raked the bunker. It cost me a shot and at the end of the day it has cost me the title.
“Things like that leave a bit of a sour taste in the mouth, but I had my chances and didn’t get the job done.”
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