Denison is fighting way back with major ambitions

Danny Denison tees off at the Madeira Islands Open today, a tournament that may never feature on the schedule of the planet’s top three, Lee Westwood, Luke Donald and Martin Kaymer, but one which means the world to the Yorkshireman.

“This is one of our three majors,” says the 26-year-old Challenge Tour player of a rare opportunity to impress on the European Tour.

“Saint Omer and Kazakhstan are the others. It’s the chance to win some real money and is a good week to do well.”

Few would begrudge Leeds golfer Denison a good week.

Four years ago, he was involved in a car crash while en route to a Challenge Tour event in Austria.

He had to be cut out of the vehicle and air-lifted to hospital.

A full recovery took two, long, frustrating years as a promising career that included an Open debut as an amateur in 2006 and a top-10 finish the week prior to the crash on the main circuit, was placed in jeopardy.

“It was frustrating but I have to also appreciate that I was lucky not to suffer anything worse in the crash,” reflects Denison, who although results may not show it, is delighted to be back competing regularly. “There was a time when I worried that I might never play golf again but as soon as I recovered I knew I was ready to go again. I was young enough to get over it mentally and physically.

“It was a long two years. I didn’t get back walking again until Spring 2008 and I had to do a lot of gym work to help me swing the club the way I wanted to.

“Then I had the pins removed from my leg towards the end of 2008 and that set me back another couple of months.

“I was also having problems with my knee which was something that was missed in the initial diagnosis.

“So I had to be careful coming back to full-time golf, I didn’t want to rush it and risk never playing again.”

Now he is back, Denison is determined to grab his second opportunity with both hands.

Last season was his first full year of competitive golf for four years, and while not an explosive return, he earned enough money to finish 39th on the order of merit to book a place at his ‘three majors’.

He finished in the money 13 out of 17 times, but 2011 has not been as fruitful, with just two cuts made in five attempts and less than £3,000 earned.

The Challenge Tour grind is a world removed from the continent’s primary circuit, with professionals struggling to make ends meet as they travel the world funding their livelihood.

Denison’s promise as an England schoolboy and Yorkshire amateur player earned him a contract with Nike when he turned pro in 2006, and the major sports manufacturers have stayed loyal to him through his troubles.

They ease the financial burden by providing his equipment – which is a luxury not all of his peers enjoy – and such is his determination to make it onto the European Tour, he will not let a lack of money stop him from trying.

“I’m still in a position where I can pick and choose my tournaments but you’re not playing for massive financial gains, there’s not a great deal of money to play for,” says Denison.

“There’s a lot of expenses added on; for instance, this week there’s the flight, hotel and also a caddy to pay for.

“You can earn a living on the Challenge Tour, because the flip side is the good money if you do well and graduate.

“It’s a stepping stone. I don’t have a family to provide for so I’m not looking at it that way.

“You’ve got to enjoy it while you can. The European Tour is the only reason I’m out here. It’s not the money, I could earn more doing other things back in England. But as long as I feel good enough I’ll keep trying to get there. There’s no time limit, your body doesn’t limit you to how much golf you can play.”

A good week in Madeira would boost his chances of finishing in the top 20 and earning his card for the flagship tour. He is currently 65th.

Like every player who tees off this week, Denison knows he is one good performance away from a finish that could change his life, and for inspiration he only has to look at fellow Yorkshireman John Parry, a winner on the European Tour less than 12 months after grinding it out on the Challenge circuit.

“You’re so close to it,” says Howley Hall professional Denison. “Last year I finished second by a single shot to a guy who had a hole-in-one and eagled a par four on the final day. It was just his day.

“You never know what’s around the corner.”

[email protected]