After returning to the scene of
where I secured my Ryder Cup place
last year I was hopeful of a good
week and contending for the title.
Gleneagles is a fantastic venue and
one of my favourite tournaments on
tour. However, a double bogey at my
first hole was not the start I had
envisioned but I managed to grind
a decent score out over the first
two days to put my self right into
contention. My game had been very
poor over those days, but fortunately
my short game had excelled as it had
the previous weeks in the states.
I started to play much better tee
to green on Saturday, but as golf
always seems to do, I just couldn't
make a putt. I was still right there
until the last hole when trying to
force a birdie to get within three
of the lead I flew the green and made
double on the last. It left a very
sour taste in my mouth overnight as
I knew I had just thrown away any
chance of winning I had. Sunday was
again better tee to green but the
putts just wouldn't drop for a one
under par finish.
I have left Gleneagles every year
so far recounting how many silly mistakes
I have made during the week and realising
again that I didn't actually have
to play any better or hole any more
putts to be around the lead but just
cut out the mental errors. It seems
to be a course where they happen a
lot, whether it is to do with the
wind and rain or maybe the Scottish
air I don't know. I do feel, however,
that out of any tournament we play
Gleneagles is my best chance of winning.
I am now focusing on the Omega European
Masters, another of my favourite events,
after a quick turn around from last
week. I have been in the last group
on Sunday every time I have played
there so I have lots of good feelings
going into the week. I know that I
will have to cut out the errors if
I am to clinch a victory but overall
I don't think I am too far away.
