Deutsche Bank a complete washout

THE first day's play in the €3.4million Deutsche Bank Championship in Hamburg was completely washed out yesterday.

Heavy rain overnight and throughout the morning left the Gut Kaden course under water.

Play was scheduled to start at 7.30am but was eventually abandoned for the day shortly after 1.30pm.

Tournament director David Probyn said the plan now was to play the first round today, the second tomorrow then make the halfway cut for the top 50 players and ties rather than the usual 70. The final 36 holes would then take place on Sunday.

Probyn said: "The forecast is for showers tomorrow and Saturday with a better day on Sunday, but the persistent rain should be over.

"We've had 40mm so far and the rivers are right up and flooding the course from below as well as above. It needs to be dry through the night to give us a chance."

Meanwhile, Jose Maria Olazabal believes he can win more major titles following his third place in the Open at St Andrews last week.

Olazabal began the final round as Tiger Woods' nearest challenger and was within a stroke of the world number one at the turn.

A bogey at the 12th while playing partner Woods made birdie effectively ended his challenge, but the two-time Masters champion was hugely encouraged by his performance.

"It was a wonderful week in that it was a step towards what I want to do with my game," said Olazabal ahead of today's first round of the Deutsche Bank event in Hamburg.

"I was hitting the ball like I want to, shaping it like I want to. I was playing golf more like I feel I can do. I'm making fewer mistakes and if I can maintain that through a long period of time then sooner or later the results, the better finishes and the wins will come.

"I have always believed I can win more majors. I don't know if I will but I believe if I get my game where I want to, I will have chances. Winning might or might not happen, but it's the satisfaction you get of at least getting the level of your game higher than it was before."

Last week's performance has lifted Olazabal to 40th in the world, inside the all-important top 50 which guarantees entry into the major championships and lucrative world golf championship events.

And the 39-year-old hopes that will help his bid for a seventh Ryder Cup appearance at the K Club next year, without forcing him to change his schedule to chase qualifying points.

"I'm not going to change my schedule to start with," added Olazabal, who formed a brilliant cup partnership with Seve Ballesteros.

"I'm not going to play that many events in Europe but if I play well enough I should be okay.

"I have to keep playing the way I am to consolidate my position in the world rankings and that will help the issue and make things easier."