Date: November 25, 2008
Author: Angus Morgan

Chopra looks for form at Huntingdale

While his swing is being &aposheld together by bandaids&apos, Daniel Chopra is relying on the positive energy generated by last year&aposs second-placing at Huntingdale to spark a major form reversal at the 2008 Australian Masters. Edged for the gold jacket by Aaron Baddeley on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff in 2007, Chopra returns to Huntingdale with his game in transition. That has been reflected clearly in his most recent results – six missed cuts in his past seven starts – the by-product of a major overhaul of his swing which remains a work in progress. “I&aposm playing with a swing that&aposs kinda being held together with bandaids right now,” Chopra said. “It feels great on the driving range, but the hard part is bringing the trust out onto the golf course.” “I feel like I need the confidence; you get a little bit of it hitting balls on the range but nothing really until you hit good balls in tournament play.” “That&aposs where you really feel the confidence bucket from.” “When I stand on the first tee it feels great until the first miss comes – that&aposs a biggest hurdle to jump over right now.” While many players in Chopra&aposs position would appreciate the benefits of a break, the 34-year-old Swede is confident he&aposs doing the right thing by competing at the Masters. First there&aposs the incentive of finishing the season as he started it, with a victory in the Mercedes Benz Championship back in January. Then there&aposs the challenge of going one better at Huntingdale, a course that suits his game. “I feel very comfortable here, I have a lot of friends here, it&aposs a great time of year to be here, the weather&aposs great – I wouldn&apost miss it for anything,” he said. “The game&aposs all right there, it&aposs just a matter of putting the mental confidence together.” “I feel like I&aposm on the verge, I&aposm just waiting for it.”