Putting tips from county star get Parry back on course

The Harrogate professional had Simon Bell on the bag last week for his debut in the BMW PGA Championship, a tournament in which he made the cut before succumbing to the severity of Wentworth’s controversial West Course over the weekend. Baildon golfer Bell was making his own debut as Parry’s caddie following a stellar career in the amateur ranks which was highlighted by an English Boys’ title triumph in 2000.

The two played together as Yorkshire swept all before them in 2005 and have linked up again as Parry looks to build on last year’s Vivendi Trophy win in his maiden year on the European Tour.

“I’ve been struggling with my putting but having Simon on my bag is helpful because he’s really good at reading a green,” said Parry, 24, who lines up alongside fellow countymen Simon Dyson, Richard Finch and Danny Willett at the Saab Wales Open today.

“If you’re struggling on some putts, having someone reading the line that you trust makes a big difference.

“We used to play foursomes together so we know each other’s game really well. Simon’s a really good green reader and in any given round he can save you two or three shots. Even if it’s just over a week that can make a big difference.

“If you’ve got a caddie who you’re not sure of and is dreaming his way around, it can harm you.

“So Simon and I have done a lot of work on the putting green; we just use one ball and each read the putt and that gives you confidence if he’s reading the putt better than you are.”

Dyson’s third-place finish at the BMW PGA Championship has hoisted him to No 70 in the world and into the fringes of the top 15 on the Race to Dubai.

Celtic Manor welcomes four of the successful European team that won the Ryder Cup in the Usk Valley last October.

Defending champion and US Open winner Graeme McDowell tops the bill, alongside Ross Fisher – who has dropped out of the top 50 in the world and so needs a good week to boost his chances of earning a spot at the US Open later this month – Peter Hanson and Miguel Angel Jimenez.

“I’m excited to be back here and I’ll be right up for it,” said McDowell.

Yorkshire suffered a surprise defeat at the hands of Cheshire in the latest Northern Counties game at Selby.

Nathan Rogers won the Sheffield Strokeplay Championship at Hallamshire by four shots.