The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
The greatest show on earth
and showed why golf is a boxoffice attraction.
sidenote from Troon came from Colin Montgomerie, who expressed his desire three-hour rounds return.
I’m sorry, Monty, but it’s not happening unless we change the game drastically. Our courses are too long and too big and unless the powers that be will let technology restrict the flight of the ball by 10% and open up the ability to play shorter courses, we’re stuck with the status quo.
Slow play never entered my head last week and you have to remember fitting 156 guys in one round is a laborious task which is going to take time.
No Tiger Woods in action in 2016? That’s a real shame. We’ve missed the man this year but in a way I’m pleased to see him letting his body have the time it needs to heal properly following years of rushing back to action prematurely in pursuit of golfing greatness.
He will have taken great encouragement from events at Troon on Sunday where he will have seen a man the same age as him in Henrik Stenson win the title by beating a man six years older than him in Phil Mickelson.
He will have watched them go head to head and convinced himself he can return as good as he was before his injury problems and dominate the game again.
Who doesn’t want to see Tiger taking on Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Jason Day and everyone else? I know I do.
While Tiger will be taking it easy for the rest of the year I’m pleased to report I’m back hitting balls and planning my comeback at the Paul Lawrie match play next month.
I will be visiting Archerfield tomorrow to get my practice in before the event and I plan to play there another two or three times before the tournament.
You have no idea how nice it feels to be pain free for the first time in 15 months.
It has been a long road and required several changes for me – from my grip and my wrist to my swing and practice routine – but it will all be worth it in the end.