The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Hungry for more after first 10 years
The start of the season is always an exciting time for any golfer as they set their targets and hopes.
My immediate aim is a simple one and that is to get another win. My last victory was two years ago in the Hassan Trophy II in Morocco. I haven’t won since my daughter Olivia, who turned one this week, was born and I would love to be able to dedicate a victory to her.
Like every other player on the European Tour, I want to make sure I am inside the top 60 come the end of the season and in the field for the seasonending DP World Tour championship in Dubai.
This year marks a decade since I turned professional. I always felt when I made the decision to join the paid ranks that I could do well but I am immensely proud to have won three times on the European Tour as well as my US amateur victory.
When the day comes to retire, I want to be able to do so with no regrets.
Of course, you never know what the future holds but I have always prided myself on being the best that I can be which is why I’m working as hard as I can to achieve my goals. I have been very fortunate to have some great people around me, especially my coach Ian Rae. He was named the Bob Torrance coach of the year at last Friday’s Scottish Golf Awards and it was an honour to accept the award on his behalf. During 2016, he helped Beth Allen claim the Ladies European Tour order of merit and the Scotland’s men team secure back-to-back European amateur titles.
It was a well-deserved and I was delighted for him. He works incredibly hard and has a great passion and knowledge for the game. He has put up with me for 16 years so he possesses incredible patience as well.
This week I am in South Africa to play in the Tshwane Open. I won my first European Tour title in this country so it is always nice to be back.
It is a great place with a lot to offer, especially at this time of year. I feel my game is in a promising place so, providing I have plenty of patience and belief, I feel I can have a good week. After this, I am playing the Hero Indian Open and then I will have a month off before the Hassan Trophy II in Morocco followed by a couple of events in China.
It would be great to start the season strongly and move up the rankings. I have got a new putter in the bag which will hopefully help me along the way.
Jaco van Zyl generated a lot of debate over his unusual putter, which had a tiny clubface, at last week’s Joburg Open. I won’t be trying one like that anytime soon but if it works for Jaco then good luck to him.
I have got a custom Scotty Cameron with my daughter Olivia’s initials on it, so that I have her wherever I go. Let’s hope it works, starting this week in South Africa.
“I have always prided myself on being best that I can be”