After 2 weeks off and another missed cut…I have time to reflect on a, slightly earlier than scheduled, flight to Cleveland for the Bridgestone Invitational. My 2 weeks at home were spent mainly with my girlfriend Holly, with whom I have been with for 18 months now, generally just chilling and spending some quality time together…or at least that’s what I thought. The scheming little madam had cunningly arranged for me to play golf on the Saturday of the Open with Westie and Tommy, two good friends of mine, and her dad whilst making me believe she had gone for lunch and shopping with the girls. Later, I was only to realise she had arranged the biggest surprise of my life to date, a party with about 20 of my close friends to celebrate my victory in Munich. You should of seen my face when I came in…I literally was lost for words. Even right up to the moment of me arriving at her house, before what I thought was going to be a relaxing evening on the sofa with a dvd, I had no idea.

She had been arranging things behind my back for over 2 weeks, hoping I wasn’t going to grab the last spot available for the Open, at Loch Lomond, in a good way of course!! From texting my mates to ordering cakes and emailing my manager for pictures from Munich, she did a fantastic job of keeping it from me. It was time to get drunk…LOL.

It was a brilliant night and one I’ll never forget. A few people had to leave early but the majority of us then went into Chester to continue the celebrations long into the night. From Champagne to Jaeger Bombs, the following day was not one I wish to remember. The famous words ‘I’m never drinking again’ were used on several occasions.

The following week was spent mainly practicing and preparing for Ireland. I saw my coach, Graham Walker, on the Monday (and really enjoyed my 6 hour journey back from Leeds that afternoon, or evening as it turned out) and worked at my game for the rest of that week. Still unsure whether I was getting into the USPGA, the final major of the year…I decided to plan with confidence and book my flights based on being away for 3 weeks. In which, my place is now confirmed.

Before the surprise party the previous Saturday, I had planned a house warming in my new apartment, which isn’t so new anymore having moved in over 6 months ago. But with being away so much, it was hard to get it all kitted out any sooner, and so I felt it the right time to have some friends round and warm it properly. I had arranged it for the Saturday, again inviting close friends, but after the previous Saturday being so messy, I wasn’t really up for a massive night. So we ended up just opening some Champagne and playing on the Wii a bit, which is quite entertaining when you’re all a little tipsy.

It was now Irish Open week, and I flew out Monday with a plan of playing 9 holes Tuesday and Pro Am Wednesday. Killarney Golf and Fishing Club was the venue, a rolling parkland course set on the lakes of Killarney, stunning scenery and testing layout. Although during practice, I was thinking it could be a low scoring week as there was no rough and a lot of short irons into greens. But the par 3’s were tough and a testing breeze made it tricky in the afternoons, and to be honest, I did get the right side of the draw. But I failed to take advantage of it and struggled from the word go. I couldn’t quite get into my rhythm that week…and really struggled with the pace of the greens, managing only 34 and 31 putts first 2 rounds, which isn’t like me at all. I scrambled well, making only 4 bogeys for the 2 rounds, but just didn’t hit it close enough to make enough birdies. A total with which resulted in me missing the cut by 1.

I had my parents with me that week as well, which was nice, as they don’t get to come to many tournaments. So we had rearranged things for them to go to Cork and stay with my Uncle and Auntie, and I was to fly out to Akron, Ohio early. So I flew to London the Saturday night and then out to Cleveland, via Chicago on the Sunday. US of A, here we come…