The Lyoness Open – Austria!

Tour Diary

So, after leaving Manchester airport around 9am last Monday, I then walked back through the door at Manchester airport  5am Tuesday!

But this time heading for Vienna!

Having that day at home can sometimes make the difference – a day of normality, see the family, chill out, just be at home, and then off to a fresh start for the next event!!

Sometimes going week to week can feel like a slog as you end up spending every day at the course as you’re already there, and then don’t get that ‘time off’ which you need!!

My coaches Mark Pearson (swing) and Mark Baber (mind) came out for two days to help me prep!

Pearson would keep an eye on my swing, check some numbers, and then Baber had the challenging job of dealing with my head – ha ha!!

 

I played this event two years ago, so remember the course quite well. Even though I didn’t make the weekend, I remember it being fun … it helped though that my good friend Michael Appleyard came out to caddy for that week!!

Hence his Twitter profile saying (@veggie) ‘Ex European Tour’ caddy, which is just a fun private joke!

I had my standard Tuesday/Wednesday practice days with the only difference being some filming with the Tour media for a feature on how my year is going!

 

So, after some good work with my team (or ‘entourage’ as some players called it, poking fun at me having my 2 coaches, manager and caddy walking round with just me in practice!) I was ready for another week on Tour!

But having great people around me who I believe in only gives me more belief and confidence in what I am doing!

Round one I played pretty steady, nothing too special, and had a pretty quiet day on the greens!

I shot 71 (-1) which was around 28th position and a few shots inside the cut mark.

We had it pretty windy in the afternoon but the morning starters had no wind … So of course we hoped for a fair draw the following day…

That wasn’t to be… We had strong winds from the start but thankfully it lasted all day!!

When you know it’s going to be a long day and a tough grind, you automatically feel a good start is key!

Round 2…

So after an ok tee shot down the 1st, I had 230 from the semi going for the ‘semi’ island green par 5.

A slight miss-hit out right and splash! Not to worry, I just thought, take your drop, chip it ok, and you have a chance for 5 still!

I was dropping the ball within my two club lengths but on a banking, after two drops and then placing the ball on a nice tuft of grass, my exact words to the ref were “it’s still moving” and his response “no it’s in play”.

I walked 5 yards away to my bag, turned around only to watch the ball roll back in the water!! So another penalty for what felt like nothing….

I dropped it again and proceeded to duff it back into the water! Oh!!!

Another drop, a pitch to 12ft and a single putt 8! Believe it or not that felt quite good!

I then went birdie, par, birdie, and bounced back lovely!! The rest of the round I was solid and closed for 74 (+2) and in the end comfortably make the cut which fell at +3.

As you know, Saturday is known as ‘moving day’ and in perfect weather I made my move!!

The key last week was patience! And I really was… I was -3 after 16 holes and the last two holes are no push over with 17 playing stroke 2!

So then to hole out from 20ft on 17, and then 45ft on the 18th to nice applause from the crowd, was great!!

67 (-5) and up to 12th!!

It was also great to play with 2 experienced campaigners in David Howell and Richard Bland and see where my game is compared to how they play!

You can just tell from watching them that where my game has improved the most is exactly what they are so good at!

Course management, not going at silly shots, playing safe at times, accepting that 20ft is sometimes a great shot… Being patient, not wasting shots, never shooting a massive score and when you putt well you score well!

To be fair Mark Pearson has told me that for 6 years but have I listened….?

Round 4 was more of the same, but after a night of rain, and rain on and off all day, the rough was now juicy!

Get it out of position, and you’re hacking out and trying to save par… Again a day for patience!

The highlight of the day was holing a gap wedge from 125 yards on the 15th! Brucey bonus!!

Result = 71, 74, 67, 70 (-6) T10th

This week was the end of my 7 week trial with the new Scotty Cameron I picked up at Valderrama!

And I’m pleased to say it passed with flying colours! That week I made a commitment to stick to the same putter, routine, technique, grip and process for the next 7 weeks before I changed anything at all…

And following my stats and seeing the results there is no way we are changing anytime soon! We are onto a winner with this one! Plus Steve would hang me if I told him I was going to change!

The last bit of good news I’ve been aiming for, which some of you know about, was the re-rank in my category!

Before this week I was number 28, bottom of the Q-school cards… After this good run of form I’ve now moved up to 9th which gives me a much more realistic chance of getting into more events this year!!

I’m delighted! And with this week’s result too, here is my updated and new highest world ranking of 439!

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P.S – a massive thanks to Richard and Donald Stirling for coming to watch and also to my German friends Helmut and Manuela for driving down for the weekend!

It really is appreciated!!

Chris Hanson

Last modified: June 3, 2019