PAUL Dwyer could be on the verge of a life-changing experience in the next two weeks.

When the Clitheroe golfer isn't using his fingers to grip his club, he is keeping them crossed that he will be selected to play in the Italian Open.

Although the 29-year-old is in his third year on the European Challenge Tour and looking to boost his ranking in this area, the opportunity to take part in a main event will be too good to pass up.

"If I get in, it's a massive tournament for me," said Dwyer. "If I went there and won my life would change in two days because I would automatically get a two-year exemption on main tour events.

"It's happened before when someone gets a chance in a main tour event, and they go and win the thing. Of course, it doesn't happen very often but you have to keep your eye on it if you get a chance.

"Although I'm looking at the bigger picture this year and concentrating on the European Challenge Tour, the Italian Open isn't one of the bigger tournaments on the main tour and some bigger names often pull out.

"They then go down the list and, with me having a ranking, sometimes it gets down to me and I get that opportunity.

"So if things go well next week I could be playing in Italy."

In the meantime Dwyer is back in East Lancashire having a few days off from the Challenge Tour, which isn't yet in full swing - a bit like Dwyer's game at the moment.

He said: "The tournaments have been one here and one there rather than a good run, which should start next month when I play Spain, Italy and Holland.

"I've made four out of six cuts so far but not really figured among the leaders so I'm 51 in the Order of Merit.

"I was 43rd in Quatar but was disappointed to miss the cut in Madeira because I came seventh there last year so it was expected to be a big week. Instead it was just one of those bad weeks.

"The season hasn't really got under way yet though and I'm still chasing that top 15 spot to get me a European Tour card for next season."

Although he is taking a two-week break Dwyer feels that it's during the time off that a touring pro actually does the bulk of his work.

He explained: "I think you have to work harder in weeks off because if there's something you want to change you have to really look at your game, and now is the time to do it.

"When you go back on tour and you're in a tournament you have to play with what you've got.

"So I need to keep practising and improving. I was 33rd in the Order of Merit last year after coming 54th the year before so I'm slowly getting closer to my target."