PLEASE CHOOSE A MONTH:
DECEMBER 2010 | JANUARY 2011 | FEBRUARY 2011
ABU DHABI HSBC GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
Abu Dhabi Golf Club,Abu Dhabi,United Arab Emirates
Sunday 23rd January
The first tournament of the year is in Abu Dhabi. After a long journey via London from Atlanta I played the Emirates Invitational pro-am at the new Yas Links next to the new F1 circuit. The course I found really good though myself and partner Allan Lamb did not really tear it up. After playing we had a dinner at night where there was an auction to raise money for charity and Mr Allah Al Naboodah who hosted the event was extremely generous bidding for various items to raise thousands of dollars.
For the tournament we get to stay in the Emirates Palace which is probadly one of the highlights of the year. It is one of the best hotels I will ever stay in and the sheer size of it is incredible. The course was in great shape and tightening of the fairways this year which would hopefully benefit me. After good practice I found the going a bit tough and although battled hard my par 5 scoring cost me. My back nine both days was really poor though there were glimpes of light in my short game as i felt alot more comfortable over putts and chips. This can only be good for the season ahead, as I work hard to maintain my great ball striking of 2010 and add the sharpness around the greens which I felt cost me last year.
I stayed and practiced and got some well needed physio on my neck as it has been given my problems every since I left the US. My confidence hasnt been dented by this miss cut and feel good as Bahrain calls next week. This is a new challenge and it feels really good to get back into competition for the first time since South Africa. I will continue to try to progress my short game to the next level as I still feel I am one of the best from tee to green, The words "Drive for show and putt for Dough" come to mind and when that dough is your living you have to out the hard work in.
Padrig Harrington was disqualified during the Abu Dhabi Championship which again brings up the issue of people calling in watching at home. I really dont know if this is a good or bad thing though I understand steps are in place to look at the way these issues are dealt with. If the issue has arisen earlier any penalty could have been added and Padrig allowed to carry on and play the next day.>
I watched the final 2 days with interest as Martin Kaymer strolled through to victory. I felt even after the USPGA Martin is still not rated that highly or maybe he just doesnt get the full press. His 24 under total was a fantastic score over a long golf course with thick rough and fast greens. Most impressive is his demenour on the course and when you see him around the players lounge a nice guy just to say hi to, have a quick chat in passing as he is so down to earth. A champion golfer who is a nice guy and I can be thankful that he is not playing next week in Bahrain!
I hear it is still cold back home and frost is putting a stop to all the boys playing the winter league at Royal Aberdeen. Sure they will pass the time well in the comfort of the clubhouse.
OFF SEASON
December 2010
I have been on a break since the Dubai World Championships and like most people struggling to deal with all the snow. It took me 2 days to get back from London to Edinburgh. I enjoyed some downtime before flying to South Africa to defend my title. It was a long trip and enjoyed being back in South Africa though we were in Durban this time. Th course unfortunately was not in the best condition after some poor weather and relaying of turf. I loved Pearl Valley the year before and maybe this showed in my poor scoring and an early return home for Christmas.
I spend Christmas in Minnesota with my girlfriend and did'nt touch a club for around a week as they have 20cm of snow there. I then travelled back to what i call my second home in Atlanta. Although cool the course and greens were in there usual great condition at the Golf Club of Georgia and worked on some short game to keep sharp.
New Year was great fun at my golf club in Atlanta. I have made good friends there and always enjoy coming back to Atlanta especially with the poor winters which seem to last longer every year. The chance to practise and play in the off season allows me to try out new things and work on weaknesses to get a good start to the forthcoming season. With this in mind I headed down to Reynolds Plantation which holds the East Coast testing faciltiy for Taylor Made. After seeing Retief Goosen with the new bladed irons in South Africa, I had ordered the new cavity back set. After only 30mins they were in the bag. I loved the look of them and they went a little further than my old irons with I have had for at least 3 years now. The feel and strike of the them produced a good flight and felt confident that they were for me. The guys at the facility which the call "The Kingdom" couldn't have done more. Thanks to Jay and Robin for helping me out get prepared for the 2011 season.
