Irish Open: John Parry credits link-up with new coach for improved form

Knaresborough golfer John Parry believes the link-up with his new coach has been pivotal to his upswing in form over recent months.
John ParryJohn Parry
John Parry

Parry continued his fine form with a strong performance at the Irish Open this week as his preparation for the second major championships of his career ramps up a gear.

In testing conditions, Parry held firm as others dropped well down the leaderboard in the final round to finish tied 21st on five over par.

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Rounds of 72, 70, 72 and 75 saw him finish seven shots back from victor Soren Kjeldsen of Denmark, as the field strung out.

Parry will be bidding to make a third successive cut at the Nordea Masters in Malmo, Sweden this week, before focusing his attentions on a second crack at the US Open at Chambers Bay, Washington.

He qualified for the major in Surrey last week, and it was scant reward after rising back up to 444 in the world, and 82nd on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai.

Following a year of strife 12 months ago, Parry has corrected his mindset and said he feels more comfortable in his swing.

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He said: “I really feel that my consistency has improved this year.

“Although I’ve had good results in previous years on tour, results have been somewhat streaky. But between me and my coach Hugh Marr,

“I’m a lot more comfortable with my swing mechanics and everything is working nicely. I feel I’m more experienced as a player now, I’ve learned a lot from last year, which I expect will stand me in better stead going forward.”

Parry began working with Marr after splitting with former Flaxby Golf Club professional Mark Moore, who is now based at Scarcroft Golf Club following the closure of his academy.

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And the move has bore fruit for the 28-year-old, who credited Marr’s influence for his return to the top of the game.

He added: “We have a great relationship, everything he says makes sense and importantly I feel I understand my swing better.

“I have a great team around me, I feel like my structure is all in place so I can just concentrate on my golf.”

Despite a number of top ten finishes, Parry remains with his name on only one European Tour trophy – the one off Vivendi Cup in 2010.

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However, with the golfer heading into his prime, he feels closer than ever to repeating that success.

He said: “I really feel that my game is good enough to challenge for another win.

“I’ve been hitting the ball solid for the past few months, just the putter has been a bit cold, but that seems to be changing.

“I’ve just qualified for the US open again, this will be my second appearance where I hope to build on my tied 28th at Merion.

“I know that if I can putting in the work and keep playing the way I am, then opportunities will come, then I just need to take them.

“I’m looking forward to an exciting year ahead.”

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