Pates handed ban

Sports psychologist John Pates has been given a three-month European Tour ban following the scuffle with caddie Rick Brand prior to last week’s tournament in Shanghai.

The tour launched an investigation after the incident was reported to them, and Brand, working for Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen at this week’s World Cup in Portugal, has been fined an undisclosed amount.

“The fact that I hit him was unacceptable in hindsight,” said Pates, whose player list includes Welshman Bradley Dredge and Scot Stephen Gallacher. “At the end of the day what I did was wrong.”

Dredge, who with Stephen Dodd scored an opening round of 60 in Vilamoura, made it clear he did not want to discuss what happened.

But when he was asked what he was taught by Pates he replied with a laugh: “Be more aggressive.

“I think John does a lot more, for me any way. He’s very much into routine. He’s pretty much at every tournament and it’s more hands-on in terms of set routines and trying to help build your confidence in terms of always thinking about the good shots you hit rather than dwelling on the bad shots.”

David Garland, director of operations for the European Tour, issued a statement revealing the ban takes effect from December 1.