New Zealand golfer Mark Brown hopes the presence of his coach Mal Tongue in Europe for three months will help revive his fortunes.
Tongue arrived in Britain last week and intends remaining with Brown until the British Open at Turnberry in Scotland in July.
Brown, 33, takes mixed form into the European Open starting at the London Golf Club in Kent tonight (NZT).
He has played 14 events on this season's European Tour, with a best finish of third in last month's China Open.
Six cuts have been missed, including his past two appearances, leaving him 69th on the moneylist with €211,804 ($NZ484,344) while his world ranking has dipped to 142nd.
Brown, the 2008 Johnnie Walker Classic champion, is looking for a boost following Tongue's arrival.
"It's going to be nice having him for three months," Brown told NZPA.
"The game has been a bit of a struggle all year although I had a couple of good weeks out in Asia. Hopefully with Mal here for the next couple of months we can turn that all around."
Tongue is spending plenty of time with Brown, and stays with him at his Ascot residence between tournaments.
"I am really looking forward to the three months over here," Tongue said.
"I am just trying to help Mark with his game. His game is good on the range but not good on the course.
"It's just a confidence thing and with Mark getting used to new situations. Playing in Europe fulltime is a big change for him.
"But then at the end of the day it's how you believe in yourself and that is the most important thing. I am just trying to be his friend. That's all, nothing else."
Brown will play the opening two rounds of the European Open in the company of South African David Frost and Finland's Roope Kakko.
His compatriot Michael Campbell will also play this week, hopeful he is not troubled by lower back pain which has plagued him of late.
