Home or Away?

I received a phone call on Monday afternoon to tell me that I was in the Verizon Classic at Hilton Head as seven players had withdrawn since the closing date on the previous Friday at 6pm. I made the decision not to fly back as I would have not got to the course until Wednesday and I wouldn't have been able to play a practice round as there was a Pro-Am on the course all day. It is extremely frustrating that so many people withdraw late in America, it happens week after week and leaves players like me unable to plan or make travel arrangements. In Europe if you are first reserve at the start of the week you would hardly ever get the chance to play.

I spent some time with my Mam and even managed to do some DIY and fix her broken door. As I had an extra week at home I managed to see more friends and relax, it does sound like a cliché but you can't beat your own bed and some home cooked food. It wasn't just the wet weather that got in the way of my practice, one day I struggled to get to Matfen as the road was blocked by some stray sheep!

I drove down to London for my flight to Dallas on Saturday afternoon and flew out on Sunday morning. My flight arrived on time although it took me an hour and a half to get through immigration. I was pleased to receive some texts informing me that Newcastle had won the Tyneside derby against Sunderland 2-0. I also had a message from Mel Reay who I sponsor for Newcastle Women's football club, she scored a penalty in her match against Aston Villa, which took her tally for the season to 28 and won her the golden boot in the Northern Premier League.

I feel refreshed and am looking forward to my next few events in America, I am not sure how long it will be before I am home again but it will only be weeks rather than months this time. Part of the battle of playing professional golf is not the game and swing, but keeping mentally fresh, I feel my time at home has refreshed me and hopefully this will show in my results over the upcoming events. I hope this week at the EDS Byron Nelson championship will be a successful one.