Mercedes-Benz Championship

I spent the rest of last week tidying up loose ends from the charity day and began planning next years! We couldn't wait for good weather on a weekend any longer and had a barbeque at our new house, I was the top chef and can now burn a fantastic burger!

We flew out to Cologne on Tuesday. I wasn't playing in the Pro-Am on Wednesday so I had a day of practice. It was nice to spend the day practising and with a small number of players in the tournament this week it made it really quiet. There is always plenty of friendly banter on tour at the best of times about are sports teams but with cricket, football and rugby all happening this week it has been even more entertaining than usual. Cologne is an interesting city we were staying just around the corner from the main shopping area so it was always bustling. The famous cathedral was as impressive as everyone had said it would be. On Tuesday and Wednesday the golfers shared the hotel with the German Football team, the crowds of young girls waiting for autographs weren't for the golfers!

I was again pleased with my draw this week; Graeme McDowell and Peter O'Malley, GMac and POM are great company. I played really well on Thursday and was disappointed to shoot 69 (-3) as I had many more chances. Friday was another good day, although I made a few silly bogeys but was less disappointed as I had ground out a round of 73(+1). It was a frustrating day as we were last out and it was cold and nearly dark by the time we finished. Saturday I played with Retief Goosen and Pele Edberg, I got off to a disastrous start with a triple bogey 7 on the first it didn't get much better, I couldn't seem to find my swing for the first five holes.

I finished with 78(+6) which after a bad start I was pleased to have clung on. Sunday was an early start, my playing partners were Darren Clarke and Jean Van de Velde. I hit the ball more like the first couple of days and matched my bogeys with birdies, I worked hard to get my round back to level par only to double bogey the last so frustrating. I flew back home on Sunday evening and will leave for The Belfry on Tuesday morning. It will be nice to travel to the next couple of events by car.