PLEASE CHOOSE A MONTH:

DECEMBER 2009  |  JANUARY 2010 |  FEBRUARY 09  | 

AVANTHA MASTERS
DLF Golf and Country Club, New Delhi, India

Sunday 14th February

After arriving midday on the Monday I took it easy in the hotel and did some gym work at night and would start my preparation in the morning. I played 9 holes and walked 9 holes and took the course in to find the best way to score around it. A good course that I liked though it wasn't too long, it was fairly tight. With a lot of grain on the greens the putting would also but difficult. A good days practice and the fun began on the way home. The traffic in Delhi is crazy as mopeds dart in and out of the traffic. Cows drift onto the road and there seems to be no hesitation in cutting up and drifting in between the lanes. Lucky for us, we were in a bus heading back to the hotel and felt safer as we were the biggest vehicle on the road.

The food at both the hotel and golf club was good but I did play it safe most of the week with pasta, then found a great restaurant on the top of the hotel with great steaks. A little pricey but even a tight scotsman can't put a price on some great food and a full stomach. You learn traveling the the world what things agree with you and what don't so with this week greater attention had to be paid as we were even cleaning our teeth with bottled water so we didn't catch anything. I once picked up food poisoning in Columbia playing in the Challenge Tour. I feels shocking to catch this when you are home but to be out of your comfort zone, half way around the world make it that bit worse. So been careful this week was a must.

A good day at the pro-am on the Wednesday and I was set for the tournament. More wacky races on the roads again as we hit rush hour on the way home.

The first 2 days and I really hit the way well but couldn't convert all the chances I created. I felt a low one was there if I could take my chances, I would move up the leaderboard. It became frustrating but I pushed on and tried to look at the positives as I found my wedges were a lot better and hitting it closer.

I had a putt on the last green to get a top ten but it came up short from only 8 feet and it would sum up my week. Good but not good enough. To win you really need to hole the putts and I failed this week with that. One less putt and I would have tied for 2nd place a good illustration of how improving some areas even slightly make a big difference overall. My break begins now, as I take a month off as there is only one tournament. I will look to improve my game for the middle to end part of the season where the big tournaments are and hope to pick up another title.

OMEGA DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC
Emirates GC, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Sunday 7th February

The last tournament of the Desert Swing is in Dubai at the Emirates Hills Club. The Desert Classic is a tournament I have wanted to play for a long time with a great course and list of champions. After some good play in Qatar I was more upbeat entering this tournament and felt the course suited my game slightly more. The rough is really thick and lush so will being straight off the tee this week will be a key factor.

After some good practice on Tuesday my neck had been giving me problems and after an early 5.30 am wake call I went to the physio's before my warm up for the pro-am. After releasing some strain muscles in my neck it felt better but still not that confident to hit full drivers so had to pull out of the pro-am. This was disappointing though I had to be fully fit to compete in the tournament. I had been given a great draw with Martin Kaymer and Ross Fisher who i knew from playing before.

Thursday and my neck felt better but still not 100%. I played okay and managed to shoot 1 under on a tough day where the swirling wind and thick rough made the scoring difficult. I really enjoyed playing in the TV group with Martin and Ross and had a chat with each as we played. It was great to watch Martin especially after winning in Abu Dhabi to go to a career high 6th in the World Rankings. He is a solid player with a constant fade though his putting was the most impressive and threatened the hole a lot from any distance.

Friday and my neck still not great but I could play. Not a good day at the office as I holed nothing all day after some poor golf in places. The putter was ultimately going to cost me dearly as I missed the cut by one to have the weekend off. It was frustrating as I felt it was a course I could do well on and with such a strong field the world ranking points were really high. With the weekend off I decided to rest my neck from hitting lots of balls but spend some good time on the putting green working on my weaknesses. After each 2 hr session I felt more confident as India would be my last week.

Outside the golf we went to the Emirates Mall most nights to get some food as it was close to the hotel. It has a indoor ski slope which looked great fun but with already one injury I was skeptical of getting another if I went out on the snow. I caught up with 2 good University from Jen and Whipper and went down to the World Tallest Building Burj Kalifa. A the bottom there is a huge pool with the worlds biggest fountain display with music and lights. It is well worth going to see this and there are plenty of good places to eat which give you a view of the display as you eat.

Next on the list is Delhi for my first experience of India and the last tournament in my 4 week run, so a good final week to finish

COMMERCIALBANK QATAR MASTERS PRESENTED BY DOLPHIN ENERGY
Doha GC, Doha, Qatar

Sunday 31st January

I have never been to Qatar before but had heard good reports about the course. The city has an impressive skyline with huge tall buildings with plenty of more looking to go up.

The course was in good condition with a strong wind drifting through the course. Since I have been in the desert I have realised that the combination of wind, sand and sun makes visibility difficult and have played with sunglasses. I feel it makes a definite difference and also aids me on the greens. Since many of these courses have grain on the greens which affects the ball having I glasses on let's me distinguish how the putt may move better.

On Tuesday evening we had a small media training day for TaylorMade with Garcia, Kaymer and all the staff players there. It was making sure we all have the knowledge of the new products on the market. One interesting thing was that they have challenged all players with a keepie up challenge with a football as Adidas who are part of TaylorMade will make the official football for the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa. We watched a video of Sergio keeping the ball up 119 times so I have that to beat this season!

Thursday the wind was up and I played really well to shoot 2 under to t-8. The rough is really up and made scoring really tough so driving it well was key and I made some nice putts from inside 10ft to keep the momentum of the round going. Friday and a 1 over par 73 but some silly mistakes were made which cost me 3 or 4 shots. This is simply down to some rust still in the game but made my way to the range to iron them out. First cut of 2010 under the belt and push hard on the weekend.

Saturday and Sunday were a mixed bag where Sunday could have been really low but couldn't take my chances. At this level players putting is so good, it normally makes the difference between a middle of the pack finish and a top 10.

My game overall is improving and this had helped my confidence more so feel more competitive when I get on that first tee. Next up is Dubai for me and the Emirates Hills course. I have always wanted to play their after watching it on TV in years gone by. With another strong field it will be a challenging week but after getting some practice in Monday I feel it is a course that suits my game with more heavy and an eye for a draw off the tee.

ABU DHABI GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Sunday 24th January

First tournament of the year and it was great to be back in short sleeves after watching the snow fall for most the time i was home. The Middle East swing of tournaments which include Qatar and Dubai all have strong fields and plenty of world ranking point on offer. The courses as well are similar in set up and provide a stern test.

My game doesn't feel too bad and it i just a case of getting the feel back with the short game as the greens here are slick. The rough is up as well and if you miss the fairways you can struggle to reach the greens. With some tight pins and some breeze across the desert all aspects of your game with will test here.

My game for the tournament went well though my short game rust was exposed as I had 35 putts in round 1. I struck the ball well though missed several chances and felt upbeat after some work with the putter. Day 2 and it was a poor start then I came to life on the back 9 and would have been 5 under for my backside apart from a silly 3 putt though i had to attack the putts as I was chasing the cut line.

Both rounds I played well though the short game was not up to scratch. Ian Poulter played in front of me and could see him picking the ball out of the whole a lot. He has been in Florida enjoying the sun and good practice facilities, so he can hit the ground running at the start of the season. With no practice for a month it was hard to compete.

I did some practice afterwards and hit the gym in my days off to get in the best possible shape for Qatar. I have 3 more weeks on the road and getting back into the swing of things which should hopefully reflect in my scoring

Q&A SINCE THE WIN

Wednesday 20th January

I've been asked a lot of questions since I got back from South Africa, so here are a few answers to help with that.

If you have any other questions you can get in touch through my new Facebook Fan Page

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO SINCE THE WIN?

I have taken it very easy and enjoyed the moment. My girlfriend was over from America so showed her a lot of Scotland in the snow!! I am eager to get back into it now and can't wait for the Middle East swing.

NEW GROOVES?

I did have the new grooves on wedges in South Africa and they do make a noticeable difference. The ball simply does not spin as much making accessing pin and getting up and down harder. Laying up on par 5 to a good distance will become more crucial and I think this will help the shotmakers more.

TIGER WOODS RETURN?

Nobody knows when he will come back.

MOVING TO EDINBURGH?

I will be based in Edinburgh as I feel that it is better location for all the travel I do. I will always be a "loon" thought but I enjoy Edinburgh and have friends down there who live and work close by.

WHAT WERE YOU THINKING ON THAT 3 WOOD IN THE PLAY OFF?

I knew I had the ability to hit that shot it was just a matter of executing it. I hit it flush right down my line. A great example where believing in myself makes a huge difference.

WHAT DID SANTA BRING?

Entourage box set for life on the road.

MY RYDER CUP CHANCES?

This is a long way off but never say never. European Golf is in a great position at the moment where we have so many strong players and I am sure whatever team Monty puts together great.

SOUTH AFRICAN OPEN CHAMPION 2009
Pearl Valley Golf Estates Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa

Sunday 20th December

The course is set in the valley of the Franschoek Mountains alongside countless vineyards. It is truly a great spot and the area is know for its food as well with great meals every night for a third of the price you would pay back home.

My practice had gone well and this reflected in the way I played out on the course through the tournament. I felt relaxed but confident within myself. Going into Sunday I knew a low score would give me an outside chance.

I simply played great the last day finding that fine line between patience and aggression when tackling the final day pin positions. Coming down 17th I knew I had a shot at getting my first title and the second shot I hit from the rough just cleared the water by 2 yards........... my heart did skip a beat as I thought is was going to come up just short. From there the only thing I could see was the ball going in the hole dead weight inside right. I fine fist pump on 17th and on to 18 where I knew birdie would apply the pressure to everyone else on the course. A par 5 was all I could managed to a wait to see if I could get in the play off.

THE PLAY OFF

My mind had only one thing on it...WIN. Chances like this don't come along that often but after Shiv hit his tee shot just left I had a slight advantage. He pitched out and with 260 yards to the flag I hit probably one of the best shots of my life at the most crucial time. The satisfaction of hitting that shot under intense pressure is so rewarding and makes all the practice worth while. 12 feet left to cosy down to the hole and I was South Africa Open Champion 2010.

Simply the best feeling ever!!!! The champagne flowed afterwards and some emotional phone calls to friends and family. This is when it probably hit me and I will admit to being a bit of a bubbly mess...in a good way on the phone to my brother.

Onto the hospitality tent and just like an F1 driver got to spray the champagne over all the volunteers, apologies guys!

Thanks you to everyone for all your kind texts, emails and letters and will carry on to get title no 2!

ALFRED DUNHILL CHAMPIONSHIP
Leopard Creek CC, Malelane, South Africa

Sunday 13th December

I decided to play the first 2 tournaments of the 2010 season in South Africa as I have been down there before and know the courses. Both are challenging in different ways though each are set in fantastic surroundings.

Set in the North-West alongside the Kruger National Park is meanders through the wild jungle and hunting for golf balls is not advisable here!!! Although I missed the cut by 2 shots I felt I played well with just some rust in the game after the break. Simple mistakes that could be corrected easily. I did some good training in the gym before I fly down to Cape Town for the South African Open.