The Honda Classic was quite a good starting point for me after my break.  I didn't do too much when I was at home apart from five sessions a week in my gym while fitness trainer Rob Watts ensured that I can do up my belt buckle one more notch.

I was very encouraged by a lot of my play in West Palm Beach and although the finish wasn't quite what I had in mind, there was plenty to look forward to. My new R9 Taylormade is a great weapon and allows all kinds of variations.   With the adjustable face and weighting system, it's like having 24 drivers in one.   And you can be sure I'll have tried every one of... MORE »

The weather hasn't been too kind for practice purposes, but I'll be gearing up soon for the final push towards a possible Masters invite.

I know I'll have to pull something pretty special out of the hat if I am to catch the eye of Augusta National, but it won't be for the lack of trying if I'm not on the grid for the first major championship of the year.

Rory McIlroy will definitely be there and I have nothing but praise for my fellow Ulsterman.   What he's done since turning pro has been nothing short of remarkable and I'm sure his win in Dubai was the first of many.

Not that anybody should be putting too much pressure on the 19-year-old so... MORE »

A very encouraging piece of news has just reached me in South Africa... and it's helping me recover from having reached the milestone of 40 years in 2008.

Those responsible for administering the World Golf Hall of Fame in Florida have added me to their ballot of this year's nominees... an honour I was definitely not expecting.

That's not to say I'll be automatically included because a lot of people have to vote, but just to be among the international section's nominees is something I am very proud of.

Nobody is eligible until they have reached the age of 40 so at least this has been one bonus on reaching the phyllosan milestone, but, as I've said in these pages before, I still... MORE »

It's the season of goodwill to all men... and I'd like to single out three for special mention whose support has been invaluable to me during 2008.

They don't often get a mention in this column, but I'm not sure what I would have done without John Newton, Philip Morbey and Andrew Chandler, commonly called Newt The Bewt, Wobbly and Chubby.

Newt has been my stretcher, physio, minder and numerous other things over quite a few years and he has kept me entertained all year long often when things have not been going as well as I wanted them to.  He's kept me on the straight and narrow when it would have been so easy to go off in different directions.

As for... MORE »

I've certainly had an interesting few weeks - in Australia we got evacuated from the course due to floods and the driver taking myself and Robert Allenby back to the clubhouse in a buggy managed to misread the fairway and the next thing we knew we were thrown out and ended up in a bunker! Luckily we both just sustained a few bumps and bruises to the legs and had no serious injuries.

The Belly Putter is now being used as a practice putter to help me with my stroke on the greens and am back using the Scotty Cameron once more. It's been a very... MORE »