First of all, the good news is that I am going to play the US Open. My chances of teeing up at Bethpage State Park's Black course looked bleak last week. I must have done some harm to my intercostal muscles during the final round of the European Open and played at the Celtic Manor with lots of help from the physios and pain-killers.

It was so bad last week that I wasn't even able to laugh. The whole rib-cage area was hurting and I thought I had either cracked a rib, or tore some muscle. However, a CT scan has ruled out both the injuries, so I think it must have been a sprained muscle. I am still hurting, but... MORE »

It was another top-10 finish for me at the Celtic Manor Wales Open, but I must reveal I almost pulled out of the tournament on the final day.

What happened was that I seem to have damaged my intercostal muscles during the final day of the European Open. Must have been some shot I hit from the rough. It started paining the day after the tournament, but visits to the wonderful physios on the European Tour and a couple of painkillers made it possible for me to play the first three days.

On the final day, however, the pain was unbearable. At the range, I was hitting my driver less than 200 yards, which was when I decided to cut short my... MORE »

I was extremely disappointed at the way I blew a great chance of adding a fourth European Tour title to my CV. The European Open was there for the taking. I went into the final day tied for the lead three strokes ahead of the rest of the field. But absolutely nothing happened for me on the final day.

It's easier to accept a loss when you play well, but someone else plays out of his socks and knocks you off. That's not to imply Christian Cevaer played badly - actually he did a fantastic job of tackling what was a tough course - but still...he shot a two-over and won, while I played four-over.

What was most disappointing on the final... MORE »

After a perfect start at last week's Players Championship, it was frustrating as I struggled over the next three days on a course I thought I'd do well on. The opening-round four-under 68 was satisfying, especially because it was my first competitive round on TPC Sawgrass, but nothing went according to the plan after that. I was hitting the ball well, but my short game was completely out of tune.

On the final day, I found just nine greens in regulation - missing most of them by just yards. But I failed to make any decent scramble. I would have expected to complete such a round in about 25 putts, but my chipping was so bad, I needed 31 putts.

The only... MORE »

Fantastic is the word that best describes what Gaganjeet Bhullar has done by winning the International Final Qualifying - Asia on Wednesday in Sentosa. It makes me proud to see such a talented youngster from India do so well.

Singapore and Sentosa must now rank as one of the favourite places for Indian golfer. For it was at Sentosa that I won the Singapore Open last November and now young Bhullar has achieved success at the same venue and made it to the British Open.

I have spoken to the young man and I look forward to welcoming him to the British Open. It is indeed a pleasure to see someone so young play so well.

I must admit that at his age,... MORE »