Shell Houston Open

My caddie Ron took this week off so Tony worked for me, I first met him when he worked for Shaun Micheel, when I played with him and Ted Purdy at the US Open at Winged Foot in 2006 and coincidentally I played with him last week in a practice round when he was working for Brenden Pappas in New Orleans.

I played in the onsite Pro-Am on Monday, which was good as I got to play the course twice before the tournament, I had a good team and we played well finishing in second place with a score of 18 under par. Tony rode in the cart with me to familiarise himself with the course and my yardages. I do enjoy riding instead of walking especially in the heat and humidity.

This weeks course was the Tournament course at Redstone Golf Club, the tournament organizers tried to set the course up to play like Augusta. It was fairly long but with limited rough, and some really long par 3's. It did soften with the rain throughout the week. As it's the week before the Masters tournament there is a particularly strong field, many of the overseas players have come over early to prepare. The player's only lounge this week is really cool, it was a bar area that is in the locker room. They had a buffet and menu service for us; we were really well looked after.

On Tuesday I played a practice round with Jeev Milkha Singh, who I like a lot and it was good to catch up with him as I haven't seen much of him this year as he still plays most of his golf in Europe. He had Janet working for him this week, she is one of the only fulltime female caddies on the European or PGA tour that isn't there as a girlfriend or wife. We had a good day until it rained for the last five holes. I spent Wednesday at the hotel relaxing and watching episodes of Law and Order.

I was pleased with my draw as I played with Cody Freeman and Jeev on Thursday and Friday. I played well on Thursday, every bad shot resulted in a bogey and every good shot ended up as a par, I held on well and finished the day three over. Friday I was out in the morning and made five bogeys for a three under par round. I was pleased with the score but felt it could have been even lower. I thought I was going to miss the cut by one, but the weather turned in the afternoon as it had done for us on Thursday and scoring went up. The afternoon players didn't get finished and had to go back early on Saturday morning.

We played in three balls on Saturday, it was a frustrating day, I really played well but didn't shoot the low score I was looking for. I enjoyed Sunday playing with Justin Leonard, I first played with him back at the Open at Troon and he has always been friendly when ever I have seem him at events. I finished the week at two under par.

As I write this it is Sunday evening and I am waiting to board a flight home to England, its nearly four months since I have been home and I am looking forward to spending a night in my own bed and spending some time with my friends and family. I hear it has been snowing at home so the weather is going to be a big change, I just hope I can get through Heathrow with my bags.