EK Golfer Marc Warren prepares for new season

Jan 13 2010 by Paul Thomson, East Kilbride News

GOLFER Marc Warren is looking forward to a fresh start in 2010 as he prepares to get his new season underway in Abu Dhabi.

The 28-year-old, who is originally from Stewartfield, spent most of last season changing his swing and fine-tuning his short game.

He’s in buoyant mood ahead of the big tee-off in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday next week.

Warren finished 84th in the European tour’s Race to Dubai ranking system and is currently 327th in the world rankings.

However, he is planning to make 2010 a year to remember.

And with Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie naming Warren as the Scot with the best chance of making his final 12 for the tournament at Celtic Manor, Marc will be straining every sinew to find his form and stake his claim.

It will be a big year for Warren, who is confident of returning to the form which saw him win the Johnnie Walker Championship and World Cup of Golf for Scotland in 2007.

He said this week: “Last year was close to being a very good year for me because I really improved my game and my consistency is the best it’s ever been.

“That was what I strived to do at the beginning of last year and it’s encouraging that I managed to do that.

“I changed a lot of my game last year so in 2010 it will be great for me to have a fresh start and play the game I want to play right from the beginning, compared to last year where I was working on different things from the word go.

“My best finish was in Ireland when I came fourth and that’s the highlight of the year for me.

“I had just finished eight months of hard work on my game and played well in really tough conditions. I struck the ball really well that day and it was pleasing to do that after all the work I had put in.

“Obviously, I want to do even better this year and I will slow things down and work on a week-by-week basis.”

Warren will this week draw up his list of goals for the season, although he’s keeping them to himself.

He said: “Before the season starts, I will sit down and go through the goals I want to set myself over the next year.

“I’ve got a few things in mind and I will write them down over the next few days to give me certain things to strive for.

“At the moment, my goal is all about preparation for the new season and I’m happy with how things are going.”

Abu Dhabi is a happy hunting ground for the East Kilbride Golf Club honorary member. Last year, he began his campaign with an 11-under-par score which saw him tie for 26th place. He’s looking forward to returning there this week.

He said: “I played well there last year and I really like the course. It’s immaculate, as most courses are in the Middle East, and the weather’s always great so it’s the perfect place for me to start the year.

“Hopefully, I can get off and running with a good showing there that will give me confidence going into the rest of the year.”