On the Range

The final 18 holes have arrived, but how are the big guns for the title striking the ball?

With the main contenders putting together their final preparations on the driving range, it is interesting to gauge the players moods as the starting gate awaits. Some look relax, some tense, some turn down interview requests, others make every effort to make the autograph hunter s day.

With reigning champion Padraig Harrington well into his routine before I arrived in his usual spot near the entrance, the pretenders to the crown chipped and drove either side of the Irishman. Ben Curtis, a winner of this tournament in 2003, was striking the ball cleanly but a little too eager for my liking. England s big hope, Simon Wakefield, was rushing through the bag, hitting his driver beautifully.

Anthony Kim, looking dashing in a cheeky little white number, spent quite a while practising his short game and KJ Choi punished his irons through a rigorous session.

But my main attention had to turn to the man of the moment, with Greg Norman turning up at approximately 1.20pm, exactly an hour before his scheduled tee-off time. Conducting what was a short and sweet interview with the BBC, the Australian took up his usual spot at the end of the range, hitting his wedges high into the sky across the wind before working his way up to the big dog.

While Norman was accompanied only by his trusty caddie, Harrington had an entourage around him, and spent most of his time working on his iron play flush into the wind. He looks in great shape, and the two front runners have just stepped up to the plate as I write these final words. Here s to a great 18 holes of Championship golf. It s been a cracker!

Alex Narey
Content Editor

Alex began his journalism career in regional newspapers in 2001 and moved to the Press Association four years later. He spent three years working at Dennis Publishing before first joining Golf Monthly, where he was on the staff from 2008 to 2015 as the brand's managing editor, overseeing the day-to-day running of our award-winning magazine while also contributing across various digital platforms. A specialist in news and feature content, he has interviewed many of the world's top golfers and returns to Golf Monthly after a three-year stint working on the Daily Telegraph's sports desk. His current role is diverse as he undertakes a number of duties, from managing creative solutions campaigns in both digital and print to writing long-form features for the magazine. Alex has enjoyed a life-long passion for golf and currently plays to a handicap of 13 at Tylney Park Golf Club in Hampshire.