While last week’s weekly column was a short one whilst I was tired in Ireland, this will be the complete opposite as I have so much to say and tell you all.
Let me start by saying thanks to the 24,000 of you that read the column a few weeks back when I was ready to give this game up. It's probably some kind of record, so I’m sat waiting for the guys from the Guinness World Records to call. I'm sure they will, any minute now...
IT’S OFFICIALLY LINKS SEASON!
There is Nothing Better Than Links Golf
I do love this time of year. Scottish Open and The Open. It begs the question - why don’t we have more events on links courses? It's such a pure and entertaining form of golf. One that must be mastered with such imagination. It can provide the toughest yet most rewarding test which can catch out the absolute best if not on their A game, as Scottie Scheffler found out in Scotland, missing his first cut in 78 events. Just for reference, the longest current streak on the PGA Tour is Matt Fiztpatrick on 28.
Links golf made for compelling viewing throughout the four days at Renaissance Club. Especially on Saturday when after a fog delay of a few hours, the Scottish haar caused playing difficulties for the later starters (as well as the camera crews!) and eventually led to play being suspended for the day meaning the leaders had to come back on Sunday morning to complete their third rounds.
It was also a great final round; it was a little unfortunate that home favourite Bob MacIntyre got off to a slow start and wasn’t really in contention. But it was Tom Kim who mastered the links in impressive fashion, to claim arguably his biggest victory to date and wets the whistle for Birkdale this week.
Obviously, we do have a scattering of events over here still to come, including the Women's Scottish Open at Dundonald Links, the AIG Women's Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes, the Nexo Championships at Trump Aberdeen, the Alfred Dunhill in October and, of course, the Irish Open in September - this year being held at Trump International Doonbeg. Where have I heard that name before?
Oh yes, about that.
What. A. Place. Everything about Trump Doonbeg oozes class, from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave. No stone unturned stuff to be honest with you. I know I mentioned it last week, and mentioning it again now, but I’m honestly not going into loads of detail here. If you want to know more, I suggest you click here and read my full feature on the place.
One thing I will mention, obviously, was my fantastic round on the second day. A nice +4 with about three up and downs from 80-100 yards will always keep the score ticking over, but no double bogeys and a two-putt birdie thrown into the mix, it was nice to post a respectable number on one of these trips. Finally!
I will be watching the Irish Open closely to see how they tackle the course. I always find professional events more interesting when it is on a course I have played - just adds a bit of extra interest. The championship tees will be stretched out that week, and we had a look at a few and even played from some, in particular the 4th, a par 5 that off the gold tees is 599 yards - but the black goes out to 659 yards!
Sometimes Golf Just Gets You Down
Back to my golf, and unfortunately, I didn’t have the best day in the Eastern Counties Cup at Woodbridge on Saturday. In fact, after a three-putt bogey on the 1st and 2nd holes, I then lost two balls off the 3rd tee and decided enough was enough at that point. I know my own game; I know my mental state in moments like this. Sometimes, it's best for me to forget about the competitive side and just try and enjoy the rest of the round. I really wanted to go home by the 4th green - now playing for fun, another lost ball. I did decide to stay out for the remainder of the first round, played some holes, walked some holes, but ultimately made a swift exit and didn’t hang around for the second round, mainly due to a few other dropouts in the morning meaning my two playing partners would have at least been in a three-ball for the afternoon round, but it was a far cry from the relaxed, tidy golfer I was on Tuesday.
There must be something in this, when I’m turning up to these bigger comps and just hacking it about like I have never played golf before, something I definitely need to look into because it’s happening far too often. The handicap is now at its limit for going up, currently sitting at 6.7, which to be honest, I know some people would kill for that, but I invest far too much time and money to be playing this badly.
Anyway, I’m not afraid to say that I am away again this week, a short three-day trip to Sotogrande in Spain. A venue I have visited once before but only played one of the courses there. This time I am playing La Reserva and the Alto Club - as well as taking on the new 9-hole par 3 course at the Alto Golf Club Academy - so I’m sure there will be more on that next week!
So, for now, enjoy The Open this week, whether you are watching at home on the TV or lucky enough to be attending in person, I hope your man wins - whoever he may be.
