The thing about the world’s biggest and best championship is that everybody wants a piece of you and your time. In the past I have been there too early and by the time you come to the actual event, you are more tired than you should be and you haven’t been focusing enough on the main reason we make the annual pilgrimage.
This time I decided to keep my energy levels as high as possible and I certainly feel fit and ready for what is going to be a very tough week.
It’s not that I haven’t been practising. Far from it. Even before I came down to Deal, I had been up at Queenwood getting ready.
The greens there are probably the best in Europe at the moment and it has been a pleasure putting on them. I also hit a few chip and runs, typical links type shots.
Unfortunately, because of my schedule, I have been unable to accept the kind offer of a place at the Association of Golf Writers annual dinner. I have been many times in the past and have always enjoyed it, particularly as they appreciate that this is our big week and get the speeches over very quickly so that we can leave in good time if we need to.
I’m sure they’ll accept my apologies for absence, particularly if my carefully prepared plans come to fruition on Sunday. Who knows what will happen, but I have just tried to ensure that I am in the perfect possible shape and frame of mind to be able to deal with any eventuality.
It’s getting close now and I’m relaxed and ready.