Bjorn again feeling for revitalized Dane

LONDON (Reuters) -- Denmark's Thomas Bjorn, in the depths of despair over his game just three months ago, is now champing at the bit.

The 33-year-old Dane, second behind good friend Ernie Els at the WGC-American Express Championship in Ireland at the weekend, has his sights set on this week's lucrative Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland.

"I just can't wait to get up there and play again," Bjorn told reporters after climbing to 18th in this season's European order of merit with earnings of 930,695 euros ($1.14 million).

"I'm really excited about this week, but I'm also very excited about just getting out there and playing golf again.

"I've played well on all three golf courses up there and I had a great British Open and great memories from St Andrews."

Bjorn tied for second in the 2000 British Open at St Andrews, one of three courses hosting the $5 million Dunhill Links Championship which starts on Thursday. The others are the Championship Course at Carnoustie and Kingsbarns Golf Links.

Three months ago, however, the chances of the Dane looking forward to the cut-and-thrust of tournament golf were remote.

DANISH DISGUST

In early July, he walked off the course after only a few holes at the European Open in Ireland, disgusted with his game.

"I've had a hard time on the golf course over the past three or four months," he said at the time.

"I know people who have gone through longer spells, but I don't want to go down that road and play poorly for two or three years. It was a question of cleaning out my head."

Although he played the next European Tour event at the Scottish Open, finishing a creditable joint 16th, he missed the cut at the British Open before opting for a break.

"I had those five weeks and spent a lot of time thinking about what I wanted to do with my golf," said Bjorn.

"I was never close to thinking about giving up the game, I was never in that frame of mind. I just wanted to put some perspective in.

"I've always known my good golf was good enough but, when you're having a hard time, it's very difficult to see yourself getting back to somewhat good golf."

FRIENDS REUNITED

The Dane, a seven-times winner on the European Tour, had already reunited with his former swing coach Pete Cowen but also decided to team up again with caddie Ken Comboy, after a two-year break.

"I jumped straight at the opportunity to get my old caddie back, because I know those people are good for me and they've brought me to those levels," said Bjorn.

"Pete is the greatest coach I know. His technical knowledge is second to none and he does all the right things, especially for me."

The combination of Cowen and Comboy was the final piece of the jigsaw for Bjorn to complete his golfing rehabilitation.

Although he missed the cut at The Heritage in England two weeks ago, he came close to victory in Ireland on his next start, an achievement that gave him as much pride as anything else in the game.

"Thinking back on the last six or seven months, this is a massive improvement," he said. "I've turned a big corner in my golf.

"My golf was very, very, very good at Mount Juliet. I had stretches where I probably have played some of the best golf that I've ever played."

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