Bjorn-again Thomas back to his best

The last time Thomas Bjorn played a tournament in Ireland he squandered a four-shot lead in the European Open with a final-round 86, including an 11 on the 17th hole.

Today the Dane completed his second round of the Nissan Irish Open in exactly 20 shots less to drag himself back into contention at Carton House.

Such a score looked a remote possibility after Bjorn finished his delayed first round of 78 with a triple bogey eight at the 18th, and he had less than an hour’s break before heading back onto the daunting Colin Montgomerie-designed layout.

But a chat with psychologist Jos Vanstiphout over lunch helped the former Ryder Cup player produce a 66 which equalled the course record and left him just four shots behind clubhouse leader Nicolas Colsaerts.

Although his four-shot overnight lead had been wiped out, Bjorn was still sharing the lead when he stood on the 17th tee at the K Club last year.

Three shots into the River Liffey later, Bjorn was on his way to an 11 and the “worst day of my golfing life”, a year after he had walked out of the same tournament after just six holes saying he was “fighting demons”.

No wonder then that he prefers not to read the newspapers when he returns to Irish soil.

“A lot of things have happened in a year and I try to look at the positive things in my life,” said the 35-year-old, eight times a winner on the European Tour.

“I think I’ve come a long way and the biggest character test was what I went through at the USPGA Championship five weeks’ later, just being edged out by one shot by one of the best players in the world (Phil Mickelson).

“It was a test of character today too, to shoot 78 and 66. It takes a bit of courage to go out and do that. I am trying hard, maybe a bit too hard, but my golf is going in the right direction.

“I just need to try to get my head down, make the Ryder Cup team and win a major. I want to be among the 12 best players in Europe and I know when I play golf like I can I am of benefit to the team.

“I’m a long way out but I need a good summer to play my way in because Ian Woosnam is going to need his two wild-card picks.”

Colsaerts’ round of 67 gave him a one-shot lead over England’s Anthony Wall and France’s Christian Cevaer, although half the field were still out on the course due to the knock-on effects of Friday’s six-hour delay for high winds.

In stark contrast to Bjorn, Wall has understandably fond memories of Ireland having proposed to his wife Sharon when leading the 2001 Irish Open at Fota Island.

The former Qantas stewardess – they met on a long-haul flight – is also partly responsible for Wall’s resurgence this season after the couple spent five months in her home city of Sydney over the winter.

“I was down there practicing away and struggling when someone suggested I go and see a guy called Lorian Scott at Terrey Hills. We hit it off and we worked solidly every single day for five, six hourse,” explained Wall, who struggled to build on his maiden tour victory in 2000 after several bouts of glandular fever.

“I feel I now have a good understanding of my golf swing so when I do hit a bad shot, I know what to do to correct it.

“I also feel calm in myself, which is important. I’m happy with life and I’m just going out there and enjoying things. My kids are starting to grow up and I’m getting a little more sleep on my weeks off!”