Charlie Ford is confident of a high finish as he has a not-so-secret weapon on his side this week – 2014 Foshan Open champion Jason Palmer, who is working as his caddie at Foshan Golf Club.
The childhood friends have formed a strong partnership on the course, with the pair only missing one cut since they joined forces in June at the Fred Olsen Challenge de España.
And 31 year old Ford, who currently sits in 61st position in the Road to Oman Rankings, could not be happier to have the former winner on his side when he tees it up tomorrow in one of the final events on the European Challenge Tour in 2016.
“He has done me a huge favour over the last three months by coming to caddie for me”, said England’s Ford.
“We went to school together, lived in the same village and played at the same golf club from a young age. He was the best man at my wedding and he has done me a favour to come out and spend a few months on the bag for me.
“We have been consistent since we started working together. Although we have been really steady out here you really need some top fives and we haven’t had any. We have been able to have a few top tens and top 20s but that doesn’t really get you far out here. So hopefully we can have a big finish in the next couple of events.
“I think the course this week is a really good test of how you drive the ball. If you drive it well you can give yourself a lot of good opportunities. I feel like over the last few months I have driven it well and hit it a decent distance, and pretty straight, so if I can continue to do that I should give myself some good chances.
“You would say the minimum aim now is getting into Oman, but I would say I have been playing pretty well recently but just not having good finishes. We have talked a lot about focusing on each shot as I have a tendency to drift in and out of some rounds.
“In these events you know if you can win or get a good result the whole season can flip and you can be right up there.”
One person who in the past has reaped the rewards of a late season charge is Palmer, who followed up his Foshan victory two years ago with a second place finish at the National Bank of Oman Golf Classic to finish seventh in the Rankings and graduate on to the European Tour.
“It feels really good to be back,” said the 32 year old. “The people here are so friendly and I instantly feel the warmth from everyone at the golf club.
“I injured my wrist 18 months ago so I thought the best way to keep going in golf was to work as a caddie. Although Charlie has said I am doing him a huge favour, I think he is doing one for me, and I have really enjoyed spending time with him on the course.”
Joining Ford and Palmer in southern China this week is Germany’s Alexander Knappe, who claimed his second Challenge Tour title of the season with a win at the rain-affected Hainan Open.
