I am playing the Phoenix Open on the PGA Tour this week, and would love to build up upon my good start in the match play last week.

The fans at TPC Scottsdale love their golf, and it is the best-attended golf tournament in the whole world. You just have to experience the party atmosphere around the amphitheatre-shaped par-3 16th to understand what I mean. It really is the ‘loudest hole in the world’. If you manage to hit a good shot here, the cheering that you get from the spectators is something that is going to remain with you for the rest of your life.

I did see and hear Tiger’s apology last Friday. I thought the guy meant it and he is determined to get his personal life back in order. Personally, I would have loved it if he had proposed a date for his return to the Tour. I guess we just have to be a little more patient.

My journey in last week’s World Golf Championship-Accenture Match Play ended after the third round, when I lost to Ian Poulter, who eventually went on to win the title.

I could see that the Englishman was in extremely good form, as he made six birdies in 14 holes during the match against me. But that was not the only reason why I lost. Somehow, after playing so well and solid for the first two rounds against Padraig Harrington and Matt Kuchar, I was completely off colour when I faced Poulter.

Nothing worked for me that day…absolutely nothing. I made just two birdies, and several mistakes. And I could not make any putt from any distance.

Thankfully, the week was over, and looking back, I would say I was reasonably happy with my efforts. A top-10 finish in my very first event in the US was good, and considering that I have lost in the first round in my previous two visits to the tournament, this was a huge improvement.