Golf: Oosterhuis starts his comeback attempt

PETER OOSTERHUIS, the former European No 1, makes a surprise return to the Volvo PGA Tour today, almost two decades after carving out a career in the United States.

Oosterhuis plays in the Rome Masters - his first event since the 1984 English Open - intent on proving he has retained the competitive instinct. 'I'm deadly serious about playing competitively again,' said the 44-year-old who received a sponsor's invitation to test his game against the PGA Tour tyros at Castelgandolfo.

Oosterhuis, No 1 in Europe for four successive years from 1971-74, added: 'There's only a couple of guys I recognise, like Sam Torrance and Howard Clark, but I'm looking forward to playing again.'

After numerous seasons on the gruelling US Tour, the 6ft 5in Londoner took up a club professional's job in New Jersey, then accepted the lucrative appointment of golf director at the Riviera Club near Los Angeles in 1991. 'Unfortunately we couldn't agree on the terms of a new contract and I left the Riviera last month,' the former Ryder Cup golfer said.