Golf-DiMarco happy to be the butt of wife's cheeky advice

By Alastair Himmer

JEJU, South Korea, March 14 (Reuters) - American Chris DiMarco credits his improved form to some cheeky advice from his wife, who told him to stick out his backside more.

DiMarco showed the value of having a good woman behind you after firing a 68 to finish the second round of the Ballantine's Championship in South Korea at six under on Friday.

"My wife said 'You used to stick your butt out like you're wearing a dress'," smiled the three-times major runner-up, whose spouse Amy is caddying for him on the resort island of Jeju.

"It's amazing the simplicity of it. Sure enough, that just kind of kicked everything right into gear and I have hit so many solid shots all week.

"I just kind of stuck my butt out a little bit, to get my back straighter and my hips square... and I've been swinging nice and smooth.

"I know she likes looking at my butt but when she notices it in my golf swing, then it's something good."

A nasty wipeout on the ski slopes last year triggered a loss of form and DiMarco has yet to reproduce anything like his best golf since shoulder surgery in September.

But the American has shown signs at the European Tour-sanctioned Ballantine's Championship that he could be close to rediscovering his best form.