The WGC World Match-play Championships was something I had been looking forward to for sometime. And unfortunately I did not go further than the first round, losing to Ian Poulter.

But the tournament became the hot topic the world over, as Tiger Woods made his return to the golf arena after taking a break since last year's US Open in June 2008.

His return was surely the biggest golfing news. And coming as it did at a time, when there is talk about the global slowdown hitting the golf industry, too, Tiger's return is a big booster for the game.

As golfers agreed at the WGC, his return is just what the sport needed to re-kindle the interest in these times. Suddenly, there... MORE »

I am in Los Angeles this week for the Northern Trust Open at the stunning Riviera Country Club, and apart from the bucketful of rains, the other thing in abundance seems to be speculation about Tiger Woods' imminent comeback to professional golf after a nine-month layoff because of a knee surgery.

Everyone wants to know which will be that blessed tournament, the television ratings of which are sure to crash through the roof?

For long, it was being thought that Tiger will possibly be back with the Dubai Desert Classic. After all, he was not just the defending champion, but a trip to the Middle East makes sense given his business commitments in the region. But Tiger skipped it.

I don't think he... MORE »

We could have been playing the Indian Masters this week, but the tournament, like many others in these difficult times, became a victim of the global financial meltdown.

I was really looking forward to the tournament, which put India firmly on the golfing map when it was held for the first time last year. That was the first European Tour event in my country, and with the Johnnie Walker Classic two weeks later, it was a golfing fiesta for the fans.

I can understand the decision taken by 'Golf in Dubai', the promoters of the tournament, who also happen to be my personal sponsors. All I can say is that they have promised an even bigger, even better event next year. Hopefully... MORE »

The feelings are mixed with another top-20 finish despite a 10-under total for four days. Four straight under-par rounds at Dubai Desert Classic landed me in tied 16th for the second successive week.

Overall the Desert Swing was a good one in terms of my play - I was 30-under for three weeks - but the results were somewhat in tune with the play. Still, as I said last week I am not unhappy for this is only the start of the season. Also the fact that I have been over-par only once - in the first round of Abu Dhabi - and have twice been on par and the rest nine rounds have been under par is very satisfying.

The Dubai... MORE »

Seven straight rounds at par or under is not too bad for the start of the season. After the 74 in the first round at Abu Dhabi, I have been par or under for the next seven rounds, with the final round at Commercialbank Qatar Masters being a five-under 67.

I had two rounds in the 60s at Abu Dhabi and one more in Doha. So, I am feeling quite good about my game, particularly off the tee and with the irons. In Abu Dhabi I found 14 or more greens on three days and 12 on another. In Doha I hit between 13 and 15 greens on each of the four days and despite the weather I also found a... MORE »