I don’t think I will ever have a more enjoyable three weeks than the ones I have just experienced. If I do, I will have been unbelievably lucky.
The tour started in Trinidad where I was privileged to watch England in action against the West Indies before moving on to Jacksonville and The Players’ Championship, one of the biggest events of the golfing year.
Back to England and Lawrence Dallaglio’s Benefit Dinner at the Grosvenor was followed by a trip to the Grand National was highlighted by having a few bob on the winner - some of the proceeds being placed on Phil Mickelson to win the Masters.
I was already on a high before setting off on the next leg to Augusta National which is still one of the weeks of the year. My visit, which incorporated several pilgrimages to T-Bonz steakhouse where boss man Mark looked after us with customary magnificence, was curtailed when Darren Clarke missed the cut.
But it meant I could catch up with my family earlier than expected and attend the final Test match - although first, fueled by several thirst quenching Sea Breezes, I watched what was arguably the best three hours of televised golf I have ever seen.
Having got to know Phil Mickelson over the last 9 months a little better than before, I was absolutely delighted for him and his family when he finally took delivery of a green jacket and his first Major.
Stablemate Paul Casey also made a big impression on his debut there and combined with another top 10 in his first appearance at TPC showed that he is ready to make a big impact on the world stage. He has earned his break and hopeful he will be back in action n at The Daily Telegraph Damovo British Masters in early May.
Antigua has been nothing less than sensational. In three successive days, I watched Brian Lara break the world record, saw Fred Flintoff score arguably his best ton to date and then Michael Vaughan deliver another century in his highest knock of the tour.
Fred and Michael will probably look on my son Thomas as a lucky omen because they were both in not out overnight positions when they had dinner with him… and both went to three figures the following day.
It’s back to Blighty tomorrow to help continue our build up to the British Masters where we are expecting a very good field for the European Tour’s debut on British soil this season.
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