Self belief is key for Christine, surges ahead after poor start
ON THE RIGHT PATH Austrian in four-way tie for clubhouse lead; Aditi best-placed Indian
GURGAON: Christine Wolf had nothing to fall back on when she dedicated her life to sport. Austria offered little in terms of infrastructure, and it is hope that’s taken her some distance.
The Alpine country may have lacked the facilities for golf — the women still don’t have a domestic tour, but Christine was lucky to have the right people around her.
Younger by a few years, Christine has followed countryman Bernd Wiesberger’s journey, one that has taken him to No 44 on the official world golf rankings.
PILLAR OF SUPPORT
This is now, but when she started off, coach Hansi Lamburg was the pillar of strength, and remains one. “He helped me go through a lot of things and was behind me all the time,” she said.
Though they parted ways a few years back, the 27-year-old’s round on the opening day of the Hero Women’s Indian Open epitomised what he’d taught the girl from Innsbruck since she was 10.
Three-over par after four holes, shooting a high score was a distinct possibility, given the conditions at the DLF Golf and Country. “Never give up, keep fighting, you never know what could lie ahead,” Lamburg’s words still ring in the ears, and they helped Christine rally.
Displaying solid iron-play, she hit it close, and with the putter obeying, it helped. Bogeyfree for the rest of the round, Christine ended Friday in a fourway tie for the clubhouse lead.
More than the result, the round reinforced the belief that she had made the right call. The uncertainties of sport are there — “one bad week could be followed by a top-10 finish”, but there is pride that she has followed her “path in life enthusiastically and consistently”.
Steady improvement has also broadened the horizon. If earlier the objective was to keep her card on the Ladies European Tour, being a part of the Olympics (at Rio) and competing at the 2011 US Women’s Open has left her yearning for more. “Now that I am playing better, the aim is to get into the Majors and compete on a regular basis,” she said with a glint in the eyes.