Price deals with price of fame

PHILLIP PRICE would like nothing more than to win the Smurfit European Open at The K-Club this week.

It’s not just the massive prize money at stake but a desperation to move on from the renown that has come his way since beating Phil Mickelson in last September’s Ryder Cup.

“Yes, there has been more fame than before and far more than what I expected”, he says. “Overall, it’s been nice but there’s a downside as well. The video was shown all the time during the Wales Open. I kept seeing it in the clubhouse that week and to be honest, I’m sick of it!”

Price, in fact, had his chance in Wales when leading entering the final day at Celtic Manor, but he was overtaken by Ian Poulter. “It was disappointing not to finish it off but I played alright and Poulter was great that week”, admitted the man from rugby union-mad Pontypridd whose abiding passion happens to be the Leeds rugby league team.

“I’ve taken a few weeks off, so I feel fresh at the moment and ready to go. I finished second here a couple of years ago and that brings back nice memories.”

Price is a quiet, unassuming individual but even he was bubbling over just a little after yesterday’s 66 that included five birdies, an eagle at the 4th and just one concession. However, he felt it necessary to admit: “I really need a bit of success to push me forward. Alan Fine, my sports psychologist, is here this week and we’ve been talking about things, why I don’t seem to be motivated and get irritated. I’ve got to get stuck in and stop feeling sorry for myself. Alan definitely sharpens me up mentally. When you don’t have confidence, you’ve got to repair it.”

Of the three co-leaders, most would expect Retief Goosen to be one most likely to be in the thick of the battle come Sunday afternoon. As US Open champion in 2001, and commendably consistent since, he is a major figure in the game. Trouble is, though, he’s not a great communicator and sound bites don’t spring too easily from him.

“It depends what the weather’s like but if it stays like this I’d say double figures will definitely win it, maybe around 15 under,” he said. “I’m pleased because the greens are a bit tricky in the afternoon and there were a lot of heel marks out there. The conditions should be better for our group in the morning.”

Alastair Forsyth, a 27-year-old from Glasgow, is the third man on 66 which is being regarded as a new record for the altered course. He expressed his liking for The K-Club: “It is a very fair course. If you can drive it long and straight, that is the key. Other courses you can get away with spraying it a little, but not here. We are always happy to go to courses where you are rewarded for your good shots.”