The Start To My 2007 Season

This week saw the start to my 2007 season, altogether it was a positive start to the year, with a lot of promise shown. My work with John seems to be paying off already as my ball striking was excellent. Everyone was talking about what they'd been doing during the off season and it was great to catch up with my friends. The flight from Heathrow was around seven hours and with a four hour time difference it took me a couple of days to recover from the jet lag, I was pleased I came out a few days early.

The tournament gave every player the luxury of a free room at the 7 star hotel Emirates Palace this week, it's very impressive and I'm sure I could get used to it, it's a shame its only for one week a year.

The golf course was in good shape, well manicured, and with quicker greens than I've have been used to back in Newcastle over the last few months. It took me a few days to get used to the pace of the greens but after spending a lot of time on the putting green I finally got the speed right. From how busy the practice green was all week most of the players seemed to be in the same boat.

I spent the early part of the week on the range and playing a couple of practice rounds, it's always nice to return to the same course year after year as you have some idea of where things are and how the course plays.

Thursday was an early start, I shot 2 over, no birdies and 35 putts, 16 pars and 2 bogeys. The weather was cloudy which made it almost perfect playing conditions for me as it took the heat out of the sun which made the score even more disappointing. I went out on Friday knowing I needed to shoot a good score just to make the cut and I did, I had 5 birdies and a single bogey. The cut fell at 1 under and my 2 round score of 142, 2 under, was good enough... just! I played on Saturday with Soren Hansen and Thomas Bjorn, it turned out to be a disappointing day, I had back to back doubles at 16 and 17, but was pleased to end the day with a birdie! First game out on Sunday morning meant another early start, it showed over the first few holes but I got in the groove on the 4th and started hitting some good shots, I had 4 birdies in 5 holes around the turn and like round three birdied the last to end the tournament on a high note. I finished with 69 and finished tied 59th in the tournament, not what I was hoping for at the start of the week but enough promising things on show.

All in all a really positive week, hopefully I have lost most of my rustiness from my break and will be in good shape next week at the Qatar Masters, it is one of my favourite tournaments as the hospitality is excellent. I will let you know how I get on.

Thanks to everyone who has emailed me, I have been surprised by the interest and good luck messages, I receive all of your messages and we will publish some of the Q and A's on the site soon