Dodd expects struggle in alien conditions

Welshman Stephen Dodd feels local conditions may count against him as he attempts to kick-start his 2006 season at a steamy Enjoy Jakarta HSBC Indonesian Open.

Dodd, the highest-ranked Briton in the field, has yet to come close to reproducing the form which brought him a maiden European Tour victory – the Volvo China Open in November 2004 – followed up with wins at the Nissan Irish Open and the WGC World Cup with countryman Bradley Dredge.

The 39-year-old has failed to finish in the top 20 in six events this campaign but hopes for a change of fortune over the next four days at the Arnold Palmer-designed course in Jakarta.

However, the course has been deluged by rain this week – and the forecast for the tournament is mixed at best.

Two weeks ago the Malaysian Open was shortened to 54 holes because of persistent thunderstorms – and more of the same, albeit less severe, is expected to interrupt play here.

Dodd is worried that, combined with the hot and humid conditions, will hand the initiative to top local players like Thai duo Thaworn Wiratchant and Thongchai Jaidee.

“They are very used to this kind of weather, and we are not. They hold a big advantage over a lot of us,” he said.

“It is a totally different experience playing in Asia. The greens are totally different to the greens back home, with a lot more grain, but the weather is the main difficulty for us.

“It is so hot and humid and it’s difficult for us to adjust, for me anyway. The heat is a big factor, and the end result is the fitness involved – and I’m not the fittest at the moment.

“The time difference is hard too – I went home after Malaysia, so it is difficult to adjust again.”

Dodd, ranked 92 in the world, has struggled this year but he is taking a longer-term view.

“My form so far this season hasn’t been great, but your year is based on the whole season and not the first month or two,” he admitted.

“There is such a fine line between playing well and not so well, just a little thing here and there.

“I did a little bit of work last week at home where I altered the ball position ever so slightly, and it has made a bit of a difference.

“I haven’t set any goals this year, but it would be nice to try to continue the form I produced last year.

“I know it’s going to be difficult, and there are a lot of good players out there trying to do the same thing. I am just going to do my best and see where I finish at the end of the year.”

Meanwhile, defending champion Wiratchant knows he is there to be shot at and is eager to focus on playing his own game.

“I do not want to view myself as the defending champion when I play, because I don’t want to put extra pressure on myself,” he reasoned.

“I would like to think I’m just like any other golfer on the field, doing their best – and that’s what I’ll do.”