Skinner’s round

Enjoy it,' said Ski

It was a measure of Atkinson's class that he did not lose a single hole on the way round, even though Ski

`Don't worry,' said his captain. 'Suppose you pick up just two or three birdies with your shots in the competition proper, you'll have done your bit for the team. No one's expecting you to break par. This might not be the toughest course for us pros, but it's a bloody good test for high handicappers.'

They played on to complete the round. With the clubhouse in sight, and the gallery swelled still further, Ski

`What made you decide to set up your company, Darren?' the policeman asked.

The golfer shrugged his shoulders. 'I felt that a good management company dedicated to golfers was one thing that the European Tour lacked. Then when I thought about it, I realised that Rick and I had in effect, a good management company devoted entirely to my interests.

So we decided to expand its operations, and to put it at the service of others.'

`Do you plan to ease yourself out of playing one day, and into the company?'

Atkinson shook his head vigorously. 'Rick runs the company. That's what he's good at. I'm good at golf. At the moment, I'm the best golfer in the world. Some say I'm the best there's ever been. I can't agree with them, not yet. But I think I can be and that's what drives me on.

Every time I tee up, I want to win. Sometimes I expect to win, and when I'm in that sort of form I usually do. If you're a betting, man, put some dough on me to lift the Million this week. I'm a racing certainty. Then back me to take at least two more majors next year. I've got thirteen in the bag so far. My dream is twenty'

They stopped by Ski

Atkinson laughed. I'm always looking for development opportunities. One day I'll find the right one. There must be plenty of people out there who would love to have the World Number One involved in their project.'

As the gallery filled the surrounding stands, he selected a five-iron and smacked a beautiful shot into the heart of the green, fifteen feet left of the flag. Again the crowd cheered, but Atkinson was less impressed by his work. He slammed the club back into the bag in a

The policeman laughed. 'Back here in the world of the mortals, I'll settle for two putts for a par!'

As they approached the green, he held back, leaving Darren Atkinson to walk alone up the slope, to receive the acclaim of his public. The champion marked his ball then signalled the crowd into silence as Murano, then Wales finished their rounds.

Susan Kinture handed Ski

The line of Atkinson's birdie putt ran across a sharp slope, and down into a small flat area where the hole was cut. Watching him judge the borrow, Ski

He applauded with the rest, as he walked up the green to shake the champion's hand.

'Wonderful round, Darren. I think I'll go and put those bets on now.'

Atkinson smiled. 'Let's just hope I haven't used up my ration of birdies before the tournament begins!' With Susan Kinture between them, they walked across the green, towards the clubhouse entrance, where Arthur Highfield stood waiting, with Andres Cortes, Ewan Urquhart, and a rugged man Ski

`Well,' said Gregory, with more than a trace of irony. 'How was it? Have the rest of us got a chance at the money?'

Atkinson looked at him evenly. 'Sure,' he said. 'All you have to do is go round in fewer shots than me.'

`What did you shoot, Darren?' asked Urquhart.

Oh, just one or two birdies,' he replied vaguely.

`Yes,' said Ski

Andres Cortes shook his head and muttered something obscene in Spanish.

`That's physically impossible, Andres!' said Arthur Highfield. He rubbed his hands together.

'Gentlemen, you will remember this evening's di

I'd be delighted. I'd better head home right now though, to break the news to my wife… gently.'

`Bring Sarah,' said Susan Kinture at once, 'otherwise I'll be the only lady present.'

`She'd love to come, but we have a four-month-old social handicap, with an established routine. And we'd never find a baby-sitter at this notice.'

Susan Kinture folded her arms across her chest. 'No excuses, officer. We have a wonderful girl on our staff at Bracklands. She'll sit for you. Off you go home and help Sarah to get herself prepared. Otherwise I'll tell her she was invited, but you said "no" on her behalf.'

Bob smiled. 'I give up. But you phone Sarah anyway, and tell her all about your wonder girl.

I'll head off home, meantime.'

`Time for a quick team shandy first,' Atkinson interposed, and led his playing companions to the changing room. Hideo Murano and Norton Wales, each sweating heavily from their exertions, decided to shower, but Atkinson and Ski

In the bar, they found a window table, to which Williamson, the elderly steward, brought their drinks.

That was a lifetime of golfing experience in one afternoon, Darren,' said Ski

Atkinson smiled. 'When I play, Bob, I don't even notice you're there. I don't see anything but the ball or the course. I don't hear the crowd, not even in the States.'

`That's dedication for you. Is your brother like you?' `Rick? Yes, I suppose he is, in his own way.'

Is he around this week?'

`No, he doesn't come to all the tournaments. We have field people who look after our clients' interests, just like SSC and Greenfields.'