Golf: New faces for 1999: Rosy future for Bennett as early promise finally blooms

A young British golfer is about to justify the hype after a fruitful year.

SINCE THE real world takes time to catch up with the frenzy of media speculation, anyone seeking out the "next Justin Rose" would be better advised to follow the fortunes of one of Rose's past incarnations. Warren Bennett has been there, done that and, unlike the Boy Wonder of Birkdale, has got his tour card for the coming season.

Bennett won the silver medal as low amateur at the Open in 1994. The impact may not have been widespread but the talent had been noted in golfing circles. Sir Michael Bonallack, secretary of the Royal & Ancient, stated Bennett would "win the Open within the next 10 years".

If Bennett disappeared for a few years he was not buried under the magnitude of those words but was cursed by a persistent neck injury. Finally free to perform regularly last year, the 27-year-old from Watford dominated the Challenge Tour to stunning effect. Bennett reversed the theory that the European tour's junior circuit was not a place to make a profit by winning five times and earning pounds 81,052, more than double the tally of the runner-up Per Nyman.

The leading 15 players earned their tour cards but it was Bennett who came away with all the tricks. "It's a great apprenticeship," he said of his experience on the Challenge Tour. "You have to learn how to do it. If you under-perform or just play average, it is not going to happen. You need to contend and to win.

"A few friends came over to watch at East Sussex and couldn't believe the standard. They thought the top-25 players would be good but it is not like that any more, it's all the way down the field. When the prize at the end of the year is so good, you are going to get good players."

The prize of a full tour card is one that eluded Rose at the Qualifying School. But the 18-year-old did well enough to guarantee his place on the Challenge Tour or pick and choose his invitations for the main circuit. Bennett might be an example of how beneficial the first choice can be but he understands if Rose goes for the latter option.

"If he is in the position to gain the invitations, then you have to play on the highest stage you can. He should benefit from those invitations. If I was a sponsor I'd want him there. What Justin did at the Open was unbelievable. He was a good player before that and that made him a household name. Sure, he's good enough to do it. Everyone is waiting for him to do something but just give him a bit of time, he's good enough."

Bennett's father, Peter, a former West Ham player, said something similar four years ago and was still backing up his words at the start of last season when he gave his son a loan to carry on playing. "When I turned pro, my dad said: `You are probably good enough to do it, but give it some time. It may not happen straight away. It could do, you've got the talent, but it may not.' He was right."

But never did Bennett feel he was failing to live up to anyone's expectations but his own. "Honestly, I've been asked that question a lot and I didn't feel it. I still don't. There were a few articles here and there but I didn't put that in the expectation category. What Bonallack said was a nice compliment. I only ever looked on it as a positive."

The neck injury, caused by a twisted vertebrae, first struck at the end of 1995. One day the following summer Bennett woke up and could not move. The problems continued through 1997 but have cleared up now he has put some weight on a lean 6ft 4in frame.

More fitness work over the winter, interspersed with a few trips to see Leyton Orient play their own brand of football, should act as a preventative measure. Rather than seek sunnier climes, he has enjoyed a few weeks at home but cannot wait for the year-long odyssey that is the European tour to begin.

"I want to play as much as I can," he said. "Because of my injury I feel I haven't played that much over the last four years. I haven't played a full season yet. I'm looking forward to feeling exhausted at the end of the year."

This is a good time to be a golfer with big money world championship events being added to the schedule, and in particular a British one. "Seeing people like Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke winning around the world can only inspire you," Bennett said. "They are at a different level to me but hopefully I can work my way up the ladder."

Taking the view that dealing with the feelings of being in contention over the last few holes is the same whatever level you are at, Bennett is not scared of aiming for the top of the leaderboard this season. But there are two main priorities. "First, as always, is my health because without that you can't do anything. Then if I can retain my card early on, that security will settle me down."