Dubai World Championship

Watch the pictures of this tournament

Sunday, December 11^th, 2011

It is a good week-end, -8 on the two final days. Looking back, the two first days penalized me a lot. I never found the confidence and the right pace on the greens. I played better and better from tee to green but failed to turn that quality of game into birdies.

At the other hand, we learned, we know exactly what to work. Now we have to take the right decision about how to improve in the coming months. The higher level is quite a big step. Everything needs to be much better, with no weak points at all. That is my next program.

This result is a top 20 to end the season, quite good considering that I was 45^th after the 2 first days. Now, looking at my 2010 season it's a big step forward. The next step is even more demanding but as Quiros did this year and Hanson in 2010 when he played the Ryder Cup.

Quiros was impressive during the final weeks of this year's end, moving significantly forward. He will be the next Spaniard Major Champion.

FINAL RANKING OF THE RACE TO DUBAI: 20^th with 1.091.504 euros.

This top 20 is a my bonus of the year... I finished 300.000 euros short for the 15^th place, I needed a 3^rd place here at the Dubai World Championship!

And before to fly to the AfrAsian Masters tonight in Mauritius, I want to salute the extaordinary N°1 od Luke Donald!!

Saturday, Dec 10^th, 2011

At last I posted a good card. But this 67 is still spattered with some avoidable bogeys and 3 puts four times (2, 3, 6, 17). The one at the 2^nd did shake me since I did not understand why the ball didn't enter in the hole.

I'd like to tell you my best shot of the day, on the 16. My drive landed in the bunker 155 meter from the flag. There was a high lip to fly and my feet were higher than the level of the ball. I knew that a 8 iron would be a risk so I somewhat manoeuvred a 7 iron. The ball landed 2 meters of the pin and stopped at once. The putt was good but it lipped out once again, the fifth of the day! On the 17, I did not find the right pace on the green and three putted. On the 18, a huge drive landed in the middle of the fairway; the distance to the pin was 187 meter uphill. I hit a 5 iron dead in the flag, my ball sitting 2 meters right of the pin. I made the putt, followed by a big roarrr from the Belgians fans where I could see Patrick Renard and Pierre Thomas, my Knauf Partners, with a nice smile... Thank you guys.

One more round to apply all that I will need next year. I am happy for Mich because his good coaching had not yet been rewarded, it was totally my fault. So, stay tuned for the final round tomorrow...

Friday, Dec 9^th, 2011

I don't like to play like I did today. Up and downs, some very good shots and then some disastrous ones. It's very tiring to play like this. Twice three putted also...

But I had also some wonderful shots; on 12, a driver followed by a 7 iron stiff in the pin to cover the 435 meters uphill...

I had a good practice session after, so I'll do everything I can to play my best golf on the 2 last days.

Thursday, Dec 8^th, 2011

On the front nine, I was cruising nicely before being distracted on the 10^th tee. As a consequence the ball ended in a bush on the right, good for a double bogey... I lost my concentration there and the momentum vanished. Nevertheless, the ball lipped out on 11 for birdie and I needed 2 more holes to recover my concentration. At the end of the day, I don't have the feeling of having made many mistakes and even with 5 birdies I'm level par!

So I have three days left to put red figures on the scoreboard.

Wednesday, Dec 7^th, 2011

Another great practice day. We played the last 9 holes today and we already took with Brian a lot of decisions. This course is pretty long (7.000 meters) and you've got no roll on the fairways. But what you get for sure on fairways are ... bunkers! So, the game plan must be very cautious. On three holes, we decided to play low trajectory drives (on hole 3, 10 and 12), some three wood also off the tee and even irons like a 3 iron on hole 15.  The other strategic choice is to play high trajectory shots on the other drives but certainly when attacking the greens. They are extremely hard, so the ball has to drop almost vertically to stop, what requires a high trajectory. It means the use of shorter irons, that's why you need to be long off the tees.

The four last holes are quite difficult; you need to keep some stamina, energy and a clear headed mind to escape all the danger of those holes. The 16th is quite tough; water and bunkers from the tee to an island green. A monster of 444 meters. The 17 is a par 3 with water in front of the green. The closing 18 is the famous signature hole of Greg Norman. Line of play, decisions taking, game plan, length, you find all the drama you can expect from a great golf hole. Sunday the title and the Race to Dubai ranking will be decided hereon 18 ! What you maybe won't see on television is that the hole is  uphill, from tee to green. So are the 12th, 13th and 15th holes. The 14th is the only one downhill till 150 meters off the green.

The confidence is building up, I 'm happy how I can see and feel the holes. After my 9 holes this morning, I had some very quick lunch and another practice session with Mich to consolidate all parts of my game. At 3.00, I decided to finish my preparation and I quit the golf.  It is time now for some rest. Tee off tomorrow at 11.10 Dubai time (8.10 European time).

Tuesday, Dec 6^th, 2011

Great day today, and a long one, pro-am, short game session with Mark Roe and arrival of my team. Long game session with Mich, I'm tuned! And at 4.00 PM exhibition for Alexis Mannes and his company AMB Broker - industrial Real Estate. Alexis Mannes takes part at a tournament in Arabian Ranches here in Dubai. This pro-am is included in the calendar of the Mercedes Members Tour organized by Fabrice Masson. More than 80 Belgians are participating at this pro-am with belgian Pro's and they stay to follow the World Championship also!

The heat is building up!

Monday, Dec 5^th, 2011

There we are! Didn't sleep much, the plane had to stop in Bangkok, but I arrived safely in Dubai this early morning.

I had time to view a few videos, I liked the nice last round of Greg Havret, mastering the greens in Hong Kong, but overall I was impressed by the way Tiger played this week. There was something different in his behaviour, since the first round. A composure, self confidence and patience retrieved. He was playing golf again with a quiet swing, not the muscle-power swing he played in the last months, the one I witnessed in the beginning of the year in Dubai. It was very clear, on all the footage I saw from the Chevron Championship, that the man has retrieve his centerness. He's not chasing the tournament anymore, but like a real tiger in the nature, he waits patienly building his round step by step, taking controle of it. And during the last round, when I see the eyes and body language of his opponents and caddies, it seemed very clear that he won't let his prey escape...

So Tiger is back, and this is one of the best news for the golf world and our business. The other good news is the quality of field and the intensity present here during the Dubai World Championship! The challenge for 1rst place and the top 15 on the Race to Dubai is quite exciting. Will Luke Donald win both Order of Merit? Will McIlroy, Kaymer or Westwood deny Donald this performance?

And what about me? Well, some have pointed me in the top 15... Why not? I don't know the course yet, I need to discover it and feel if I see all the shots, feel the grass, understand the greens. The key will be the course. Does it suit me, do I feel confortable, can I build the momentum? We will see...

Speaking about some of the players who could do well, Vincent's pick is Paul Casey, Mich liked the swing of Schwartzel and the way Quiros was attacking the course during the World Cup. Donald, McIlroy and Karlsson are in top form, so this tournament will be amazingly intens, like a real Major in the end of the season!

Just now I'm chilling with Greg Havret... I will discover the course tomorrow during the pro-am at 7.15...

UBS HongKong Open

Sunday, Dec 4, 2011

Played very clean but didn't find the momentum on the greens and had too many putts. I didn't neither attack the pins as I preferred to hit as many greens as I could, and I succeeded, tha's what I needed to feel before next week tournament. I tell you this: you could feel, already this week, an enormous amount of tension with the players involved in the Top 15 story. Next week will be thrilling, this is for sure. It will be a real final of the season. Stay tuned!

Mich and Vincent are coming to Dubai. I need to be surrounded by my closest guards, regarding the pression with the Race to Dubai, the press and the spectators. Good news: It seems that more than 100 Belgians will be there. More info next week!

Saturday, Dec 3, 2011

Quite a narrow course from the tee and I score another double bogey... Otherwise, I played 5 birdies what is much better than the average. -1 today, let's finish under par tomorrow for a good preparation before next week!

Friday, Dec 2, 2011

Tough greens, good battle at the end, I was cruising before and after the dubble at the 8. Good to play the week-end..

Thursday, Dec 1, 2011

Not quite happy... I didn't hit enough greens, this is also part of the progress I try to achieve when I'm lining more to the flags. Greens are very fast, with quite a lot of grain on it. Believe me the wind here is swirling and the driving is dangerous. Scores are not great. So I need to hang on...

Tuesday, Nov 29^th, 2011

Bye Bye China, and Welcome Hong Kong Golf Cub. Quite an historical club, build in 1889! Not a long course, but narrow and tree lined, you need to be very cautious. Only 2 par 5, and small greens and you understand why Poulter won here last year! Great field once again, McIlroy, Rose, Poulter, Jimenez, Quiros, Harrington, Yang, Molinari, Hanson, McDowell, Manassero...

Omega World Cup Mission Hillas Hainan China

Sunday, Nov 27^th, 2011

No miracle. Jérôme was exhausted. At the practice this morning, he told us that his club were weighting 20 kilos each. The long run of such event is physically demanding. From the first shot on the first tee, we suffered as a team because this course ask only good long shots. But we don't need to be disapointed. We learned a lot, we had great satisfaction like after the 1rst and the 3rd day and during all the preparation. In a few month Jérôme upgrated his game like never, we wil keep great memories of this adventure, something we dreamed off as we were juniors. Now like Mich said, for Jérôme, this is quite a rich expérience as a coach to feel once again the requirements of high level golf. There was a huge pression on his shoulders and he succeeds beautifully, and that's what I will remember from this week, so proud of him after that first round played with the Spaniards!

We would like to thank Brian and Bo who battle with us during this week, they have been a great support and we learned a lot from their experience. We would also have never played so well without Mich, the work done during this last 2 weeks will be important for the next tournaments.

Finally, I hope that all our supporters are not disapointed to see our ranking. You know, you have here the best teams in the world, there are no little countries anymore, not through the qualifications anyway. We played Guatemala today who did the 10th score of the day, better than Ireland, italy or South Africa! Cheers to them...

Well, tonight, it will be time to say goodbye to Jérôme and Mich. Next week UBS Hong Kong and then the DubaI World Championship...

Saturday, Nov 26^th, 2011

4 under, same score than Spain, England, Denmark or France. Belgium is in good company.

Another better day than the score tells! Yesterday, we payed heavily for only 3 bad shots. Today -4, with 4 or 5 putts who could have fall in, like on 16 where I was on the green with my drive at 6 meters of the hole, the ball looked in the cup and then decided to stay on the fringe. We would have deserved it but that's life... A good Jérôme once again today who keeps playing on a high level. For my part, my game is in shape also, building nicely for the end of the season...

Friday, Nov 25^th, 2011

3 bad shots on 3 different holes, a few penalty strokes, on the same holes, for unplayable balls, and you need to play very well on the other holes to keep a decent score. Jérôme started once again strongly, great opening drive. I was more nervous, I don't know why. I needed 3 or 4 holes to cool down. On 6, I play a huge drive and Jérôme had a long shot to the green. He hesitated too long for the first time on the tournament and played his first bad shots. That shot shaken his confidence and quietness and we were very unlucky on 7. Another lost ball on 11, a par 3, caused another double bogey. But believe me or not, the 15 other holes were beautifully played, with 4 birdies and some other ones who could fall in like on 16 - 17 and 18. But this is a very high level of the game. Jérôme, clear headed explained: "The difference between Nicolas and myself is that my misses are much bigger than top european players. On 3 holes I put my ball where they don't go! In fact, that second shot at the 6 is responsible for the 2 others misses. I played 24 holes perfectly and suddenly came that doubt, a shot that I never played before. They bang on it and I played it too carefully. This is experience, this is why they are so good, specially Nicolas who played wonderfully today and sustained me till the 18th. And what we have really to memorize are the three class birdies we played on 9, 12 and 13, after the previous adventures ...".

So, this is not the end of the world, this is only the second round of the World Cup, 2 more to go, and we have still a lot of good shots in the bag! Mich has pumped us to bounce back tomorrow, we will! Good practice session, good food and a great sleep! Stay tuned...

Thursday, Nov 24^th, 2011

So proud of Jérôme! He was there from the first drive till the 18th! Only 2 strokes from the 6th place... Great coaching to bring Jérôme to keep his composure, being confident that he has the ball striking now to compete at that level. And he did! Even when I was out of the hole, it happends 2 or 3 times, he played for the team, alone, very strongly. Good birdie at the 9! I have to thank Mich for his knowledge and mental coaching, spot on Mich, and also both caddies who applied perfectly our strategy with Jérôme. Brian and "Bo" can concentrate to do the same for tomorrow!

-5 is a good score, it could have been better, birdie on 16 had to drop, this is our only regret! I had a 3wood for the green but bunkered it and my putt took the hole but didn't drop! The first 9 holes are thight surely with the wind here. -3 after 9 is a great start. My eagle at the 6, in 2 on the green, gave us a good boost after a solid start of 5 pars. Jérôme's birdie at 9 gave us another cushion before playing the second half where, normally, you'll find more birdie opportunities. Birdie on 11, and we were 1 better than the Spanish! They finished in style, and also very noisy (Brian had to tell them to be quieter), with 4 bridies, where we only birdied the 14th!

For the ones, who still do not know who's longer between Quiros and myself, well the winner is definitely Belgian! This file is closed. But lenght doesn't that matter if you're are not closer to the pins. And the Spaniards fired the pins in the last holes. Nice acceleration in the end with 4 birdies in the last five holes... By the way, it was the first time that I played with both of them.

Tomorrow, foursomes. A totally different story, because there are no good sequence in foursome like the 4BBB can produce! Each shot needs to be on the spot. Strategy is important, and we have decided that Jérôme will take the honor on the 1rst tee (odd numbered holes 1-3-5...) and I'll take the even holes. Holes are quite balanced here at Mission hills between odd and even holes. No pertinent difference but we took the decision together with the caddies looking at different second shots where I could take some advantage. 

I can tell you that we're all very happy, relieved also on the quallity of work done in the preparation. We did the right technical and mental decisions. The Belgium flag is proudly there at -5. Of course, the tournament is still very long, but we are into it and I'm quite proud of what we have done! "Twie ketjes van Brussel goe beizig met onze chineze stuut" ;o))

Wednesday, Nov 23^rd, 2011

The inaugural ceremony is incredible, a dimension never seen in Europe. 2 months now that everybody is rehearsing. It's quite nice to see all the players and the event organizer got together in such an event. And Belgium is part of it! Mich is impressed about all the fuzz here, remembering back in 1992 when he played the event was informal, no comparison... The quality of the field is also different. Mich did a ranking and think that Belgium is worth a 20^th place on 28. Twentieth would be a success. And I aggree. We are outsiders. A lot of countries are favorites with 2 world ranked players like South Africa (Schwartzel and Oosthuizen), England (Poulter - Rose), Scotland, USA, Sweden, Spain, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Colombia, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Denmark, Germany, Wales, Holland and Australia for the top 18 teams.

We played the pro-am today. Jerome needed a few holes to get in the rythm. The key will be to open his round with some solid shots. Surely we will be nervous, but we will need to bluff also because the Spanish team will be extrovert and exuberant taking all the space and attention. That's their way to concentrate and tell their opponents: "You're not gonna beat us!"! We, Belgians, are different; we are quieter but we don't need to be impressed by their show. Head up, chest open, we will be physically present, nervous, but positive and ready to go.

Tuesday, Nov 22^nd, 2011

We played that great course twice. It's a Greg Norman design course. Everything here is huge and beautifully layed up and constructed. They have space, money and the will to reach high standards. This course is something we will maybe never have in Belgium! Finding the land, having the permits and funding the project seems so unfeasible in our country.

The weather is not tremendous but the course is playing a litlle bit shorter than yesterday. Less rain and more wind today. But, I don't know about the forecast...

Mich is quite happy with my game and what we have been working the last weeks. Aiming where I want to go, even on left cutted pins. He explained a new vision on the short game, from scratch. And I'm really into it. My brain understands and accepts the information, and on the course it worked very nicely. Now I have to bring this novelty in tournament which will take some time, but like I said I'm quite into it. I can perfectly work on my trajectories (high, low, mid), the ball's contact is great, and the landing is perfectly soft. Give me a few weeks to work this and I have the feeling that I can progress on that level of the game. Brian is also quite happy of my short game and he's optimistic for the future.

Jérôme is still in good shape. The tension is slightly building up. Mich and Beau (Jérôme's caddy) insist that he stays in the action and not in thinking mode to avoid hesitations or doubts. That's gonna be an important key for him, and Beau will have an important role to play. Beau played in the Irish Junior teams so he knows the game as a player and as a caddy with his experience on Tour.

Quiros - Jimenez. Spain, we'll play Spain! I find it funny playing two of the best European players. For Jérôme it will be one of his best memory as a player, a highlight on his career.

Monday, Nov 21^st, 2011

Arrived yesterday night in Hainan. Splendid hotel. Great organization a lot of people at your service. The surroundings here are quite similar to Disneyworld. Everything is fine, red carpet everywhere, islands, nice bridges, gardens, ... Weather is not that good, it's humid and often rainy, a fine rain and the course is soft. Quite a long course, there is a par 5 where I hit Drive, 3 wood, 8 iron. Never happend this year elsewhere... Good for our team, I like long stuff. Jérôme is in good shape, so, two more days to understand the course and make al the strategic decisions in 4BBB and in Foursome. Good to have 3 brains here with Mich giving us his efficient advices...

Thaïland World Cup Training

Friday, Nov 18^th, 2011

Great fourball today. In fact Jérôme and me were paired in a foursome against Mich and Brian who played in 4BBB. Mich birdied the last to clinch a square of the match. The swing and the ball hitting are pretty good for the both of us. Today we worked specially on the rythm of playing, also on the routine. Jérôme is trying to play faster in order to avoid any problem on the slow side. Not that easy to adapt but the job is on its way.

This place here is wonderful, great courses around Hua Hin. We played Banyan GC. Thailand is the next place to be for golf. Beautiful surroundings, great weather secured, wonderful food...

Tuesday, Nov 15^th, 2011

Finally the Belgian Team is together in Thaïland. For my birthday, Brian and his wife had a little party organized ! We enjoyed it all... Mich, Jérôme, a few caddies and Romain Béchu, we were a few golfers with a few Thai friends, a good mix! Tomorrow, work day 1, here begins the preparation for the end of the season.

Monday, Nov 14^th, 2011

A few days of sight seeing on Ko Sumai Island, beautiful beaches, super hotel... But even in paradise, I can't wait for my buddies to come over and to start our preparation for the World Cup. Alex Norren called me to join us during the week for some training, so a good program in perspective. I'm really looking forward to these 2 next weeks... But now guys, just have a drink for my birthday.... In Thailand we'are already Monday 14 now!!!!!!! Yeahhhhhhhhh

Barclays Singapore Open

Friday, Nov 11^th, 2011

Finally 2 birdies on my card after 36 holes. Playing in the morning is much more comfortable but I didn't fully recover from yesterday heath exhaustion. I definitely need more time to adapt myself with such a heath. Ok, this Singapore Open file is now closed. Let's concentrate to the World Cup where Belgium will play in 2 weeks for the first time in nearly 20 years. I will fly now to Thaïland for a good week of practice. Mich and Jerome will arrive on Monday.

Thursday, Nov 10^th, 2011

I need more days to get used to the temperatures here. I suffered today a serious heath exhaustion. I thought my blood was about to boil. No concentration, no power, it was impossible for me to play and certainly to perform. Many thanks to Brian for having sustained me 18 holes along with gallons of water, wet towels and shadow. I'll try to find some solutions for tomorrow; I hope that my body and mind will recover after such an experience...

Tuesday, Nov 8^th, 2011

I was on the first tee at 6.30 when it began to rain like hell. I could finally start at 10.30 as first tee off. With the warmth, you can imagine the kind of humidity here in Singapore. This is a special tournament with more than 200 players on two course. We play both of them Thursday and Friday and after the cut we play the remaining 36 holes on the famous "The Serapong" Course here in Sentosa GC.

Strong field, with great Asian players and some American stars like Phil Mickelson, Jeff Overton or Anthony Kim. The Tanjong course is rather short, a lot of wedges to the green, that's where I played today. Tomorrow I'll play the Pro-am on The Serapong Course, a modern long course on the harbour, a real gem of 6.700 meters designed 20 years ago by American golf Architect Ronald Fream.

WGC HSBC Shanghai China

Sunday, Nov 6^th, 2011

A good finish with 3 birdies on the last 5 holes. I'm pretty proud of my 3 wood on 18. After having choosed not to drive the green with my 3 wood on 16, I said to Brian on the 18^th fairway that we would this time have a go. 210 meters over the water into that spectacular green. Great shot and good birdie there. Overall, I didn't play my best golf today, missing too many greens on the front nine, but looking who's in front of me and who's behind, a top 20 finish for my first WGC is interesting to book. Today, I played with the always nice Aaron Baddeley and KJ Choi, still the king in Asia!

No time to loose, I leave for the airport, my plane is at midnight, arriving in Singapore at 5.00 in the morning...

Saturday, Nov 5^th, 2011

When you play in a competition with so many good players, even if you play a good round in -4, you don't jump in the ranking. I will need another good round tomorrow to stay in the top 30. Anyway, the game is there and all the upgrade work in technique, is coming already together. Still a lot to do, we the upgrade is on his way. Promising for the near future...

Will I birdie one par 3 in this tournament? We'll see on Sunday night but it's absolutely not an issue, I don't care... Statistics are made for coaches and for journalists not for players. We are in the process not in the results...

Friday, Nov 4^th, 2011

I'm back under the par, 3 shots win today. A good overall game, great putting. But still a few poor shots on par 5's where I lost 2 strokes. To be in top 10, you need to avoid poor shots.

You wanna know the surprise of the day? On the fully packed putting green, I heared : "What's new meneer Colsaerts?" It was Ernie Els... We had a chat together. Quite nice...

My program 2012:

• Jan 19-22 The Volvo Golf Champions in Fancourt (AFS)
• Jan 26-29 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, Abu Dhabi GC
• Feb 2-5 CommercialBank Qatar, Doha GC
• Fev 9-12 Omega Dubaï Championship

My next schedule will depend of my world ranking.

Thursday, Nov 3^rd, 2011

Even with that +2, I'm still in the tournament. After the double on 6 (ball in the water), I hit a bad drive on 8 that went out of bounds, the reload was a good one but bounced on a carpath to enventually go also out of bounds. I birdied the hole with the 3rd drive, for a triple bogey. 2 bad shots and 5 strokes lost, painful! But the other shots were quite good and things like on 6 and 8 do not happen twice. So definitely, I'm still in the tournament.

Wednesday, Nov 2^nd, 2011

Gosh! From Monday to Tuesday 12 hours flight, a lot of wind, I barely slept 5 hours. When I played my practice round I had a terrible down between holes 6 and 13. When I came back to the hotel, I finally had a good sleep. Today, pro-am day but I am not part of it; players said it was no fun because it rained the whole day...

The course is pretty long, with rough on the sides. But I can nicely drive most of the holes; three 3 wood are required on shorter holes. The course is wet and the forecast is not great, rain everyday...

This tournament is superbly organized, with many people ready to help you everywhere. China is well known for their skills in organization. A very enjoyable attitude for the players!

About the "picks of the week" of the European Tour, they mention on their site Westwood, Schwartzel, Poulter and ... Colsaerts. This is what you can read on the European Tour website:

Finally, we have a player mentioned previously when describing his loss to Ian Poulter in the semi-finals of the Volvo World Match Play earlier this year, it is Belgium's finest Nicolas Colsaerts. Since re-establishing himself on The European Tour in 2010 he has really started to show the form expected of someone with such an illustrious amateur record. Not only has he picked up his first win on The European Tour this season, but it was here in China at the Volvo China Open in April. He has also had four other top tens, a similar number of top 20s, and a debut in the Vivendi Seve Trophy to boot. It has clearly been a fine season, even though he lost two months out with an injury that came after he fell off a scooter riding round Sandwich on the eve of the Open Championship. Since then his form has been solid, but a return to the country of his first win could conjure up some magical memories and see him find the kind of long straight hitting that would make him a formidable challenger for this title.

Let's hope they are really clairvoyant...

See the full article

Andalucia Masters - Valderrama

Sunday, Oct 30^th, 2011

A long week finishes with a much better feeling than what the score shows. Great day with a lot af good shots thanks to another good practice session in the morning. i know exactly what to work for the coming weeks before my training week in Thailand just before the World Cup. Today, a few drives or 3 woods went erratic, a bit to quick on the rythm. No birdies on the par 5, and playing under par becomes very difficult. And bogeys are inevitable. Today I made less bogeys than Miguel Jimenez and Sergio Garcia, so it means that my overall game was good. I just didn't do enough birdies... Great putting today, a better posture and a smoother stroke. So I'm pretty optimistic for the next tournaments where I will find courses that better suit my game. Nevertheless this Andalucia Masters is a wonderful tournament surely when the sun shines like it did here in Valderrama.

Bye bye sunny Andalucia.  Many Thanks to my Belgian fans: the de Broux family, Van den Heuvel family, Quentin d'Ursel, Phillippe H., Edgar B. and Michel H., Swaelens family, and all the other I don't know by their family name...

Now a flight to Madrid and then from tomorrow morning Zurich and Shanghai...to arrive Tuesday morning at the WGC HSBC Champions in Shanghai.

Saturday, Oct 29^th, 2011

Finally, a score under par! 70 my personal best in this tournament! Still one or two steeled by the course but I began to be more effective on my long game. On such a difficult course, the long game is so important, because it helps you to avoid the problems (trees, water, bunkers, deep roughs). 13 greens touched today = better long game. Overnight I had some tips from Mich, and Vince made him come this morning with the first flight. Mich arrived on the 8th hole, happy to see that my game was settle down. Not perfect but much better.

In the afternoon, we had a long practice session to fine tuned every part of my game (alignement of my club face on irons, the right path of my club, the drop of the club to begin the backswing to avoid to come over (outside in)... On the putting green, we had also a Stockton session without Dave, to remember all the elements... Great coaching once again! In fact Vince was not happy letting me fly to Asia not perfectly fine tuned.

So, one more round to go, they are still some places to grab.

Program tonight: A famous Bellotta ham plate, followed by a great Rib Eye (they have some great meat here), an early sleep and we'll see what tomorrow brings!

Today, I had the visit of Christian Swaelens, son of Reginald, the wonderful retired Secretary of Royal Latem and brother of late Donald Swaelens, Belgian golf champion who died in 1974, age 40! Donald was a winner on the European Tour and a fine gentleman himself. Their father was Jules Swaelens, founder of the Belgian PGA. Haaaa, history...

Friday, Oct 28^th, 2011

What a fight! A final birdie on 18 gave me the cut here in Valderrama... Gosh what a fight... That course can steele you so many strokes. That swirling wind (Poniente) is so difficult to read. On 2 I had a 9 iron with a flight of 175 meters from a light rough, 35 meters past the hole! On 10 an another 9 iron that went 20 meters pas the hole! I was not the only one to suffer but gosh how is it possible to make twice a double bogey on 7 with 2 good drives!!!!!

That "fly" on the second killed my confidence. What did I wrong???? Will it happend again? Yes, it did on 7 and on 10, 4 strokes lost in total... On 11 I had a 2 meters putt for eagle (driver followed by an 8 iron to cover the 500 meters!), but there was more line on that putt than any part in Augusta...The ball didn't even see the hole.

I don't still have the clues of this course, it's so unpredictable, and I made a lot a good shots without any rewards, on behalve of the 18th and the few not perfectly stroked costs me a lot...

I had a lot of Belgian supporters, they suffered also... Nerves, suspense, ... Scoreboards that were telling that the cut was at that moment -6 or -7 and after 16, I was -8... Will they come back tomorrow... It's gonna be unfortunately early ;0)...

But guys, what a birdie on 18!

Thursday, Oct 27^th, 2011

What a bad start after a birdie putt on Hole 1. Unlucky on 2nd where my ball didn't spin above the hole and I had an awful chip in downhill, bogey! Then a very bad scoring moment on 5-6-7. The double on 7 was difficult to slick after a beautiful drive! From the 8, I played the rest of the course in -1 with birdie putts refused by the holes on 17 and 18! I was much better in the game. Now, I'll have lunch and as desert I will putt, approach and practice for the rest of the afternoon under the eyewatch of Vince.

Tonight, Japanese dinner with Quentin d'Ursel (2PM) and Paul Van den Heuvel (member in Vanderrama). A nice moment together to cool down after a difficult day...

Cut this week: top 50 and ties

Wednesday, Oct 26^th, 2011

Such a difficult course, a lot of irons of the tees, no room for a slight error, immediate punishment, deep rough, a tree, water... Even on fairways you can be penalized by trees... Another issue is to avoid the spin on the greens. The greens are very fast, and when I say very fast, you can beleive me. But with rain, the ball can spin 5 to 10 meters and run off the greens... I need to pay attention particularly at holes 1-2-8-10 and 18. My longest spin ever is on the 10th, last year during this tournament, where the ball spon 5 meters on the green and run then the hill 40 meters!

Starting time tomorow: 9.40 Weather forecat says RAIN... We'll see...

Tuesday, Oct 25^th, 2011

Rain, rain rain, cold weather... I hope the weather turns better because this is a great tournament. First, this course is a gem, quite special. Second, the Ryder Cup victory here in 1997 with Seve Ballesteros is historic, the first time the Ryder Cup came on the continent. Third, Felipe Patino, the President (son of founder Jaime Patino) is a wonderful person, intelligent, multilingual, gentleman. Fourth, emotionally for me, it's here that I played the Junior Ryder Cup in 1997, I was 14 years old. 14 years later, I'm here playing an important tournament on the European Tour.

Well honestly, this course is one of the toughest I know. So punishing on each of the 72 shots of the 18 holes!

Even the 8^th, one of the shortest hole, you need to hit a perfect 5 iron in the dog leg on a postage stamp and then a wedge on a tiny green! The greens in general are small and slopy. I feel that the trees have grown so much that they cover the fairways. Everybody knows that from the 18^th tee, you can't see any part of the fairway... there are a lot of such blind shots in Valderrama. That's why short and straight hitters find it easier than others...

Concentration, awful lot patience, stamina, acceptance (bogeys), clear-headed analysis and steel nerves are needed. It's a real marathon.

Last year we had windy conditions but sunny weather... I didn't make the cut as I was a bit too tired to tackle the course...

In between tournaments

Friday, Oct 21^st, 2011

This last week before 2 months on tournaments is quite intens. Wednesday, a great TV show at De Laatste Show. they have a lovely team around Michiel and Sven. Karl was also inspired, Stef Bos is the most sympathetic Dutchman in the world and Buurman made nice tunes. Quality night.

Yesterday, physics and medical day. On my Crossfit program. If you never heard about Crossfit, have a look on the web. Rich Vanmeerbeek (yes, Michel' son) is European Champion. He's in charge of my program and damn, he got me from the first session. "K'was kapot" after an hour. But I'm hooked, next session on Sunday.

At night, I liked the score in Graz...

Today, press lunch and in the afternoon, training with Mich and Jérôme.

Tomorrow, last weekend in Belgium before the 23^rd December when I will come back for Christmas.

My program is 2 clicks away in Nicolas - My schedule:

1. Valderrama Andalucia Masters
2. WGC HSBC Shangaï
3. Singapore Open
4. World Cup Mission Hills China
5. Hong Kong Open
6. Dubaï World Championship
7. AfrAsia Golf Masters at Anahita (Mauritius Island) where I'll defend my title

Even if far away for a while I'll keep you informed

Monday, Oct 17^th, 2011

Ok, important week home. Vince has made up a strong program in prevision of the end of the season (physics, medical, press, preparation World Cup,...).

TV Show op VRT "De laatste show" op woensdag!

Portugal Masters

Sunday, Oct 16^th, 2011

Finally, mentaly too tired to concentrate the 18 holes. After 7 holes, I was cooked, couldn't pace those greens as I can normally. Dunhill was tiring, Madrid was a long fight and I spend a lot of energy during the two first long days with Harrington. This next week will be important, the batteries need to be fully charged. Coming back at 12 at night from Portugal, I'll had a drink in Antwerp with some good friends. So from Monday 12.00, a new story begins: the important end of this season.

Saturday, Oct 15^th, 2011

Ups and downs, ball in water on 17, a bit tired I think... But the bad news is that tomorrow with an early start, we won't be able to see the rugby semi-final between Australia and New Zealand. Brian Nilsson, my caddie, is so disappointed. Sorry Buddy, we'll give it a good go tomorrow. Same start as today, but avoiding those bogeys, surely on 8 and 9 and the water on the other holes...

Friday, Oct 14^th, 2011

First of all, all my toughts to my coach Michel Vanmeerbeek, Richard and Brenda, who lost Wednesday their wife and mother.

Better news: Pauline is born, second daughter of Jérôme Theunis and who is the godfather? Yeah it's me, what a pleasure!

Golf now.

Madrid: I finished ok last week, 14th with a 70 and a nice birdie on the last (3 birdies on the last 8).

Portugal Masters : what a beautiful weather, more than 30 degrees, the course is dry, rough not to penalizing. For the two first days, I have a great three ball with Alex Norren and Padraig Harrington. The scoring is hot here at Victoria. Minus four and far from the leaders... 3 more days to go and to climb the ladder of the scoreboard...

After 2 rounds

What a frustrating day! So many good shots and good puts but also 2 mistakes (Hole 2 and 11) and 3 lags too short, good for 3 times 3 putts. I can't remember when I did my last 3 putts. But those greens are so crispy and dry and after 150 players played on them, it was quite difficult to find the right speed. Frustrating also, because we never played in rythm, it was so slow. -7 is not the score I wanted, surely not when you see the way I played! Still 2 rounds to go, 36 chances to win strokes... Don't count me out, I'm an hangry man...

Bankia Madrid Masters

Saturday, Oct 8, 2011

My best card of the week! Two good birdies in the end, but even if I touch a lot of greens, I don' find the keys to the flags to make more birdies. One more chance tomorrow...

Friday, Oct 7, 2011

Windy day, not easy, bogeys were easy! I play a par round with a double bogey. Tomorrow another good three ball with an old friend: Henrik Stenson!

Thursday, Oct 6, 2011

It was really a pleasure to play with John Daly and Peter Hanson. Daly is a nice sweet person and with a driver he knocks it a long way. Unfortunately, I had a sore neck this morning at the training, I didn't drive well today. With the irons, I hit it 1 club further than John and with the driver we have the same length. But it is still very nice to see him swinging. John is cool, maybe too cool...

En Encin is a long and modern course but the greens are very slopy, in fact you need to be on the right part of the green or you next putt is nearly impossible. one green is in fact 3 to 5 litlle greens putted together. Not my favorite design, but of course when you just've left the St Andrews greens, the comparison is quite difficult! Local knowledge is important in those circumstances!

Wednesday, Oct 5, 2011

When I received the sms with the starting times from the European Tour, I had a big smile seeing that I was paired with John Daly. This course will suite his game and I'm looking forward to play this 2 rounds here  in El Encin, it's gonna be good fun.

Dunhill Links Championship 29 Sept - 2 Oct

Tuesday, oct 4, 2011

Quite happy with my finish, I do like the Old Course so much! So genuine, so natural, I have so much pleasure to play that course. Top 10, good for a 13th place at the Race to DubaI and 74th at the OWGR.

I'm arrrived in Madrid yesterday to play the Madrid open and that new course: El Encin golf club...

Saturday, Oct 1, 2011

Very long day (due to the fog in Kingsbarns), too long for me, well for the 2 last holes certainly! Bad second on 17, and another bad one in a divot on 18! 3 expensives shots lost. I was cruising nicely all day long before that, and that's what I will remember for tomorrow. Face to face tomorrow, no amateurs anymore, on that good Old St Andrews. My hotel is within a sandwedge reach of the 1^st tee, the Club-House and the 18^th green. Great view from here, this atmosfere is quite enjoyable. Sunday starting time: 11.31 european time with Jamie Donaldson and Danny Willett from the first tee.

Thursday, Sep 29^th, 2011

A good finish after a struggle hole at the 6th (my 15th hole). I drove in the Hogan Allay but find the famous bunker there. Out of the bunker, 3 wood over the green, diificult approach and 2 putts... After 4 or 5 holes, the wind began seriously to blow, and Carnoustie showed his teeth...

Even after a great start, I feel ok with that -2. Tomorrow, St Andrews, one of my favorite, and Saturday Kingsbarns...

Tuesday, Sep 27^th, 2011

Played yesterday in Carnoustie, and today in St Andrews. The Mecca of golf. The city, the club house and those 18 holes, pure spirit, huge pleasure. I Drove in the Valley of Sin and 2 putted from there to win our match against Jacquelin - Gonnet. Never been beaten by frenchies when paired with Havret ;o)! Tomorrow we'll play the revenge in Kingsbarns...

It's beautiful weather here, sunny and warm, lovely to play!

Monday, Sep 26^th, 2011

Arrived in Gleneagles (Collearn manor) on Friday. I like the athmosphere of those huge valleys of this part of Scotland. Quite and natural surroundings with wide panorama's. Ready to play those 3 wonderfull courses. You know that my favorite is St Andrews, I love the place. Carnoustie is a great test, tough par 4's and a very strong finish. Winds here decide how you play the courses. The third golf we play is Kingsbarns, I prefer the 2 old ones. Links golf is something special, with low trajectories, inventive short game and wide greens where lag has a prime role. I phoned Barry Lane to practice on those courses. Always good to play and watch the fast hands of that good old Barry, so strong on the senior Tour now. Another proof that hands are the keys of competitive golf!

But beside golf, life is rolling, all my toughts are going to Mich and his family for the very difficult moments they are living!

Vivendi Seve Trophy - St Nom la Bretèche 15 - 18 Sept

Sunday, Sep 18^th, 2011

What a great day! I lived the most intens moments of my life as a pro player. What a pression, playing in front of the crowd and the British Players... I enjoyed to halve the match on the 18. That kind of format is the paroxism of golf, I really loved that athmosphere and that's why, on Sunday, I made that par birdie par eagle par finish!

Today back in Royal Zoute for a 2PM (Portfolio Management) day. The weather is just fantastic. Tomorrow, some filming with Patrick De Lange and Carl Vanieuwkerke and Wednesday a Knauf day. On Friday back to business, I'll fly to Edinburgh for a few days at Gleneagles before going to St Andrews and play with Barry Lane the three courses.

Saturday Sep 17^th, 2011

Long and frustrating day! With the kind of game I display, there's no way I can loose my two matches, but that's life in match play. Nevertheless I learned a lot in this team format! Now I just hope to play a big gun tomorrow in the early matches.

Tonight, there's a memory event for Seve Ballesteros... spirit...spirit... spirit

Attention tomorrow early starts because the weather forecast in the afternoon is not brillant!

I'll play at 9.35 against David Horsey! A great match because David is the best putter of the tournament and The Captain Jean van de Velde needs 5 points out of the 6 first players as the Continent will need 8 points out of 10!!! Miracles can happen in sport...

Friday Sep 16^th, 2011

And a WIN! Great day for the Continent, we are coming back. A very efficient Matteo Manassero today, with early birdies 1 and 3? Our opponents fought hardly with a stretch of 4 birdies but we kept our composure and won 2 up at the 18. 11 birdies in 2 days here at St Nom La Bretèche. My scoring is fantastic with a lovely putting touch. Europe is back for the 8 points tomorrow...

Thursday Sep 15^th, 2011

Lovely athmosphere here in St Nom la Breteche, I just like it very much, this team spirit is something that's thrilling me. Yes we lost on the last hole but that's because of our shaky start. It's my first team tournament, I was a little nervous and needed 4 holes to be totally relaxed. Then I get quite aggressive with 6 birdies and 4 holes won. I'm very happy with my game, it's much better than in Hilversum. My Monday session with Mich Vanmeerbeek was very important, he sets everything in the right shape, irons and driving! We decided to move to the Callaway driver blue shaft. St Nom is long and I needed that length to have a advantage on par 5's...

This week I will play better and better... I'm really looking forward too!

Tomorrow with Matteo at 12.05 against Ross Fisher and Scott Jamieson in 4BBB...

Tuesday Sep 13^th, 2011

Late arrival yesterday in Versailles after a nice day with Softimat, the company of Bernard Lescot who invited the Business Club of the Léo Hockey Club. We played 9 holes together at Ravenstein, followed by a conference around golf before finishing with a cocktail and a dinner. Great fun to be in that sport athmosphere!

Then I went straight away to Paris because this morning another team event has started. It's funny because yesterday with the Léo Club we spoke about what the hockey has brought to me. The pleasure and chemistry of being part of a team and how you have to behave to make the team better than the sum of individuals is something that I learned in my hockey years. I always missed the team events, that's why I wanted so much to be part of the Seve Trophy.

Heavy program today with a practice round, a rules meeting, an organization meeting and a dinner together tonight.

But one thing is sure, I'm thrilled!

KLM Open Hilversum 8 - 11 Sept

Sunday Sep 11^th, 2011

Tired! Those 3 first days cost me a lot of energy. It was a tough come back! I felt out of gas today. Wake up at 6 every day, playing in the rain on wet soil every day, being paired with Olazabal for the first two days have been very demanding...

Tomorrow, I'll spend my day with my partner SOFTIMAT who invited the Léopold Business Club (Hockey - tennis). Then I drive straight to Paris because the Captains want their players present the Monday night, I'll be there but a bit late...

Raphaël Jacquelin entered in the Team because Alvaro Quiros has sustained wrist's injury and the presence of a Frenchman will be important to have as many crowd as we can to have a nice tournament. For my part, Raph will be a great partner in foursome, I hope to be paired with, with all the Frenchies around it can be fun!

Saturday Sep 10^th, 2011

Quite another long day, but with a cut in the pocket at -1! Then I had 8 sloppy holes from 9 till 16 with 4 bogeys and 1 birdie. But my last 10 holes were very strong despite not many putts dropped for birdies! So I'm pretty happy overall of my game. Starting time tomorrow: 8.40 AM from the 9th again!

Friday Sep 9^th, 2011

Okay, 8 more holes to go... Long game better and better, putting also... We'll see tomorrow what a zaterdag will bring. Weatherforcast is great, let's have a full day of golf then...

Thursday Sep 8^th, 2011

Well, first of all, how unlucky are our Holland's friends with the weather! Congrats, and even more congrats, for the greenkeeping staff and the organizers under the leading of Daan Slooter! I wish them nicer days to finish in beauty, they have organized quite an impressive Open.

What a long day with all the delays... Not easy for me as I was nervous at the start wondering what kind of game I would display. The chips and the short putts were not too accurate, so were also the shots with the left sidewind... But thanks to a nice finish, 4 meters putt for par at the 7 (my 17th hole) and a birdie at the last gave me a par in total. I take it.

Tomorrow I will surely play very late with this first round finishing Friday in the morning. Another very long day, but it's like this, I know that life on Tour in never easy, never!

Wesdnesday Sep 7^th, 2011

This Hilversum track is playing very long! Over 6300 meters par 70 and a very soft course due to very heavy rain! Due to the fact that the course is waterlogged, the Pro-Am will be limited to 9 holes.

Today I have a nice surprise, I play the Pro-Am with my sponsor KNAUF. Lothar Knauf, Serge Azaïs and Patrick Renard will be my partners. The sun is shining this morning over Hilversum, it's gonna be nice playing even if a fresh breeze is still present.

Tomorrow Chema Olazabal will make me a visit for 36 holes. We have been in contact during this summer and I think that he wants to know my game better and maybe understand with whom I can be paired with during the Seve Trophy... I'm delighted to play with him! he's a legend...

Tuesday Sep 6^th, 2011

I have received the confirmation today at 6:00 am, I am officially invited to enter the Vivendi Seve Trophy. Needless to say that I am very happy of it. Representing the Continental golf against the best players from Great Britain & Ireland is very motivating!

Back on track

Finally, I'm back on Tour. Tomorrow 8.00 AM on course to play the practice round. Brian is thrilled to be on duty again and Jérôme is with me this week as long as his wife doen't give birth to their second child! Youpieee...

The team is ready, everybody is in good shape, so am I, even if I get a little nervous. 8 week after the accident, it's hard to kow the level of the game I will be able to produce. I don't think about my arm anymore, this is really past now, it's just a matter of getting the rythm of the competition and the scoring mode.

Tomorrow, the Vivendi Seve Trophy team will be announced, I think I still make a good chance, one of the other continental player, like Robert Karlsson, can choose for the Fedex Cup on the PGA Tour. But, we will see, there's nothing I can do to change that situation. In any case I will be in St Nom la Bretèche to support the team. I've been in close contact with Chema (nick name of Jose Maria) Olazabal and Jean Van de Velde during these 3 last weeks. I feel that my place will be in Paris even if it's on the Captain's golfcar! I have so good memories of that track where the Trophée Lancôme was held till 2003. I finished 5^th when Retief Goosen won. In fact I played the last shot of the Trophée Lancôme, a 5 iron into that 18^th par 3, straight to the flag, good for a par. I was sharing the last game with Retief and Paul McGinley.

Back in the game

Swinging in the rain

I'm playing again. No problem at all. Lieven and Blaise have done a great job. This week's program: working physically in the morning and playing golf in the afternoon. Next week, I'll fly to Los Angeles to work with Dave Stockton and to play some golf over there. I'll come back for my return on the European Tour on Tuesday  September 5 in Hilversum at the KLM.

Last week I caddied for Patrick Brose at the Flory Van Donck Challenge. Royal Latem, called during his first 70 years "Les Buttes Blanches", is a lovely course where you need to keep the ball in play and be patient to seize the numerous opportunities... The guys didn't score to well, scoring is never easy! Royal Latem is a great old course, beautiful setting, nice people, wonderful clubhouse, I like the place!

Next week in Ravenstein, Juniors International tournament, great event for the Belgian Juniors just before going back to school. Last time I played it, in 2000, I made the course record with 65 (the same day that Josè Filippe Lima) and lost in the semi's. The other semi loser was ... Graeme McDowell! This is the only amateur international organized in Belgium! Well done Anne and Charles Marien.

Some news

Evolution is pretty good - Friday August 5^th

All the doctors and physio's are pretty confortable and happy with the evolution of my radius crack. I go to Blaise and Lieven 4 times a week and I have already made some putts and some short game. But I really have to wait August 12 for my last X-Ray control before I can receive the green light I'm waiting for to hit the first long shots!

My first tournament will be the KLM Open, at the beginning of September. I've planned a trip to the States to meet Dave Stockton and play some golf over there.

It's time that I can fly to the Tour again because days are quite long without playing golf. Time is what I have plenty of now. Time to celebrate Vincent 50^th birthday and to live in a magic corner of Flanders at the Royal Zoute Golf Club. Great atmosphere there...

Time also to look at the program and the calendar. it's quite clear till mid december! 12 to 13 tournaments yet to play, enough to recover a place high on the rankings. Even if I'm still well placed for the Vivendi ranking, 2 or 3 motivated continental players will be delighted to jump over me till Crans-Montana. Bjorn, Manassero, Jacquelin, Larrazabal, Hanson or Dodo Molinari won't hesitate to kick me off the ranking. They better do now, because I'll be pretty motivated to climb back at the top later in the year. Of course I will certainly need a few tournaments to get back in shape, but let's say in November in Asia. Yeahh I have a good feeling over the end of the year.

I'm thrilled to play the World Cup with Jérôme. His preparation program is well balanced, a mix of tournaments trainings and training courses. We have given him 2 weeks off at the end of September because he and Vanessa will be the happy parents of a second little girl. Good shot Djay! This is what we call "Spirit" and "Timing"!

Revalidation on his way

With Blaise Erpicum and Lieven Maesschalk, the revalidation process has started, very lightly till the bone is perfectly healed. We are waiting therefore the green light of a X-ray control.

During the Omnium, Jérôme did well with 77-72-71-70, for his first tournament this year. More to come on his calendar.

World Cup Mission Hills China 24 Nov - 27 Nov

Belgium will participate in the World Cup!

As having a top 100 player and being therefore in the 18 first ranked countries in the world, Belgium and the PGA of Belgium may take part in the World Cup in November in China. For that big event (7.500.000$) with teams of 2 players, the top ranked player may choose his partner (because there's no other Belgian in the Top 500 OWGR). So it was my choice and very naturally I went for Jérôme Theunis. This is the fulfilment of an old dream we had together.

We're gonna take it very seriously as Michel Vanmeerbeek has put for Jérôme a strong training program together. This began a few months ago with some drastic swing changes. Since then, Jérôme has been driving the ball as better as he ever did. Long and straight, what he confesses was his weekest point in his pro career. He admits also that his irons game is also much sharper. Yesterday he shot 77 at the Omnium with quite a few iron shots flying over the greens!

Now, Jérôme has to train to score again in competition. Short game and putting will have to be in scoring mode, but that is his speciality! A great challenge for him anf for us. I like that.

Link to PGA of Belgium news:

http://www.pga.be/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=96&cntnt01origid=15&cntnt01returnid=30

Statement injury July 19^th

Injury changes Tournament schedules

Back from Royal St George's, I went to show my elbow in radiography. The outcome is that my radius is cracked near the radial head. No displacement, no articulation injured, only a crack to be healed. It's gonna take 4 weeks at rest with already some physio sessions scheduled on next week. Blaise Erpicum and Lieven Maesschalk are in charge of my revalidation. With 2 weeks of intense training after the bone healing (attested by a X Ray), I will make my come back on the European Tour.

This is the reason why I had to withdraw from the Irish, the WGC Bridgestone Invitational and the US PGA. Not the happiest move!

But there are two good news. First of all, my moral is great. I am handling the situation with a lot of optimism. Such an injury occures in every sportman's life. It's my turn.

The second good news is that Belgium will participates at the World Cup in Mission Hills (China) at the end of November. The PGA of Belgium will announce the team in the coming hours...

The Open - Royal St Georges GC

Friday, July 15^th

Healing time, elbow and soul. Like Brian (my caddy) said to Vince: "Part 1 is over with a win in China and two 3rd places in World Match Play and Scotland. Part 2 in 12 days, watch that space..."

Some time now to spend with the members of the band: Bénédicte Toumpsin, Thomas Detry, Romain Béchu... Up to them to play some good music on the greens...

Thursday, July 14^th 

It's over! We tried everything and must thank Dale Richardson and his team and Blaise Erpicum. We are maybe 1 day short... But the pain tells me that my arm wants me to take some rest to completely recover. This week was marked by misfortune but destiny owns me something. That's for sure...

I leave Royal St George without having played one single hole this week. It is very very frustrating.

I need to focus on the next tournament and there's one more Major to come.

My program is now: Irish Open, WGC Bridgestone Invitational and US PGA before some rest after coming back from the States.

Wednesday, July 13^th

Even if the situation gets better hour after hour, I will wait my practice session Thursday around midday to make the final decision. It's a question of hours, the more I wait the better my elbow will be. I received the green light from the doctor and the physio's. Even if I play, it won't worsten the situation, that's what they say. It's important! But honestly, I can't go and play only for 5 holes. I'll take the decision on playing, only if I feel that I can display a decent game for 72 holes. With that kind of wind, the course will be tough to play and to score. The par will be an excellent score.

We did sincerely all we can to be fit, we shall see...

Tuesday, July 12^th

Speaking of being unlucky, I fell yesterday on my right elbow (on a scooter with my father, I was standing still, grrrr). As a result I can't bend or stretch my elbow anymore. I went at 6.00 in the morning to the course (I had a practice round at 7.00 with Bubba Watson) but was unable to swing the club. So, I went to the doctor and to the physio unit. The elbow is swollen but nothing very  serious, said the doctor, only that the choc was badly placed. It will need time and treatment to recover. The doctor is optimistic, so is the physiotherapist. It's advised that I don't play tomorrow to give me as much chances as possible for my Thursday 2.54 PM start.
I must say that I don't like that story at all, surely after being so well last week. I arrived here with a lot of confidence and now I'm just spending some times on the putting green, putting with the left hand.

I went to pace 8 holes on the course; it's very windy out there and the course seems playing very hard, the rough is also much more thicker than in June when I came for a practice round. With such a wind, Par will be a good score.

Monday, July 11^th

STARTING TIME Thursday: 14.54 with JB Holmes (USA) and SM BAE (Korea)

Friday: 9.53 AM

Never played so late in my life, I wonder how the greens will be so late in the afternoon.

Tuesday, I have a practice time at 7.00. (NEW Practice Time).

We live in a cottage near Ash, very oldstyle and cosy, in the middle of the fields and woods. A silent and restful place we share with the birds and 4 horses who live in the property. I'm here with the family: Mam (cooking) and Dad (cooking aid), Vince, Mich and Phil (Nikon Toison).

71^th at the World Ranking, 8^th at the Race to Dubaï...

Cheers to Flanders today! Santeï...

Barclays Scottish Open

Sunday, July 10^th.

Great flight to prepare next week, don't you think? I had a lot of pleasure today, surely ending with that birdie on the 18^th...

Luke Donald played some super golf, great stuff, yes sure, he's N°1 in the world. But, it is not accident if he's N°1; very quiet and concentrate player.

Nevertheless, I have one story. Angel Cabrera was caddied by Tony Navarro, former caddy of Greg Norman and Adam Scott. We spoke together and I had to explain him where Belgium was on earth. He didn't figure it out but he told me that "I don't know where it is, but I'm sure it must be a nice country"! Funny no? Tony told me after the round that  he was impressed by my game and ... "there's more to come", he said with wink of an eye...

Third place is always good, certainly for the confidence before a Major... I did not waste much energy, cruising nicely, hitting 16 greens and leaving my scoring card wihtout any bogey today. On the Race to Dubai, I made also a jump to the 8^th place. 

So tomorrow, flight Inverness to Gatwick, where my team will pick me up to rally the Open in Royal St Georges.

Saturday, July 9^th

So sorry for Castle Stuart and all the Scottish fans: the tournament will be played on 54 holes, 3^rd round on Sunday!

This venue deserves nice weather sinceit is a fantastic golf course run by so nice people!

Now, let's have a thrilling sprint on Sunday!

The course has been damaged by heavy rain, and this Saturday afternoon, it's still raining. How can you be that unlucky? The Barclays Scottish Open needs some luck now, they do deserve it.

Friday, July 8^th

Without wind, this course, like all linkstracks, becomes scorable. That's what we did this morning. I finished my first 9 holes with an eagle (from 10 to 18) and then made another 4 birdies and 2 bogeys. Well I'm happy there at -9. Links course is such a pleasure to play, I like to stinger on the fairways (didn't play many drives) and I like also to use my putter outside the greens. I have a good feeling on long putts, the ones we call "lag putts". A lot of good players at the top of the leaderboard, it's a great tournament and I'm looking forward to the week-end!

Thursday, July 7^th

Slow start but stayed patient and had some good birdies in the back nine. Lovely course, really. Early start tomorrow.

Tuesday, July 5^th

What a night. I flew Monday afternoon from Brussels but got stuck in Manchester with my flight to Inverness ... cancelled. Then we had to think quick and make a decision... With Vince in Brussels, we chose a flight to Glasgow and get some help from Anne Emsens because, living in Gleneagles, she's got some local knowledge. She found a smart cab driver from Glasgow Airport to Inverness (3,5 hours driving direction North). I arrived in the middle of night but did not have to drive. A short night, but in the morning I could have a practice round on that Fabulous Castle Stuart course. In the afternoon, I had a TV coverage of the European Tour. They filmed my drives from an helicopter. So stay tuned on th European Tour website.

Castle Stuart is a gem. Pure genuine links beauty. As good as Renaissance and I like it more than Kingsbarns. The course is superbly designed, the par 3's are fantastic. Don't miss it on television, it's worth while! Golf Designers: Mark Parsinen (also developper and designer in Kingsbarns) and Gilbert Hanse. They are from the US... (http://www.hansegolfdesign.com/philosophy.htm)

Alstom Open de France

       Pictures available in the Gallery

Sunday, July 3^rd

This round was not bad. I had many birdy opportunities but could not hole them. I found costly the water on the 18^th. But before that I had putted for birdy on the 15, 16 and 17. At no avail. 

I am just out the top 10. Had anyone told me before the tournament that I would end at the eleventh place, I would have signed with both hands! The Golf National is a nice course but I always had difficulties to handle it successfully.

I am very happy that Thomas (Levet) won the tournament in very difficult conditions. A nice guy who really deserves it. 

Saturday, July 2^nd

A so so round, so good after 14 and then 3 bad shots to the green and 3 bad bogeys! My fault... But despite those 6 bogeys on my card, I am still in the top 10. Tomorrow there will be a good chance to pick since the finish here can make some serious damage to anybody...

Friday, July 1^st

Each day is not the same! Yesterday, I was cruising so nicely, hitting one good shot after the other. Today is another story... 2 poor iron shots on the 2^nd and the 4^th, sanctioned by two bogeys. At the other hand, I still have a hard times on the greens. Can't find the speed and the lines on those surfaces.

Unfortunately, Matteo struggled on the 15^th and we lost 1 straight hole. The referees came to us and we were on the clock. As I'm a fast player this annoyed me when I received a warning on the tee of the 16th, because I took too much time for my tee shot... I don't like to be warned, even once, as I'm one of the fastest on Tour.

Nevertheless I ended strongly after the shaky 4 (my 13^th hole) with birdie at the 5 (great 2^nd shot) and three good pars at the 6th, 7^th and 8^th (chip and putt each time). But icing on the cake came on the 18^th (hole 9), a hole where I have no good memories, with a birdie thanks to a great 3^rd shot (lob of 40 meters) and a 2 meter putt. So today, my short game did help my scoring at the right moment!

This afternoon: autograph session at the Lacoste shop with R. Jacquelin, G. Havret and JB Gonnet.

Today also, I had numerous Belgian supporters from Waterloo, Ravenstein, Rigenée, etc...

Thursday, June 30^th

Great rythm today, I found it hitting 3 woods on the range this morning... I'm really happy of my long game, I played very solidly, made some nice birdies but couldn't really find the right speed on the greens. The greens are blooming and in the afternoon, balls are jumping...

But at -2 I am in the top 20, in the hunt waiting for some success on the greens... ok, do not count your chickens before they have hatched as they say...

I crossed a lot of Belgian supporters from Waterloo, Rigenée and 7 Fontaines.

For those who are interested, the entrance is free if you show your Mastercard. Some Belgians entered freely showing their Federal card! So there you have 2 good tips!

Wednesday, June 29^th

1^st round with Matteo Manassero and Greg Havret at 13.00 from the first tee. A nice perspective, both of them are good friends of mine, I'm looking forward to it!

On Tuesday I played the Rolex Pro-Am with some nice personnalities like Jean-Noël Bioul (Rolex worldwide sponsoring), Frank Riboud (Danone and member of the board of Rolex and Lacoste) and his son Hugo, a lovely 10 years old junior with a great swing and a fast club.

Today a great practice session, I tested a new Callaway driver. The one from China broke in Spain just after I came back from China, and since then I couldn't find the same flights with the other ones (copies). So we kept searching and I found a good feeling with a Callaway driver UST Mamiya 7X VST Proforce shaft with a Razr Head 9,5� head! But I won't use it yet here in Paris, I only hit 4 drives... The Ping Rapture stays in the bag so far.

Some holes are longer like the 7^th, with 30 meters added, it's a very tough hole now!

Between US Open and Alstom Open de France

Paris, Sunday June 26^th - Monday June 27^th

Monday menu: test new drivers, Check the greens, the sand in bunkers, fine tuning overall...

Tomorrow the Rolex Pro-Am at 12.30 in exotic warmth!

Charity Event - World Record - 7 rounds of golf in 7 countries in 24h !

To raise money for clows in hospital (www.ziekenhuisclowns.be), 4 young belgian players from mainly Damme GCC will try a new world golf record in playing 7 rounds of golf in 7 different countries in 24hours. For more infos: www.worldgolfrecord.be. Good luck guys!

Sart Tilman, Wednesday June 22^nd

It's always a pleasure to come back to that old track of Sart Tilman with his fast greens. Knauf invited 25 persons for a special day. We had a nice practice session where we talked about the swing and ball flights. Thereafter lunch with the invitees who wanted to know more about the US open. The tent-club house is quite amazing and everybody here is looking forward to the new club house. Some rain in the afternoon but the pleasure to play dryed everything very quickly. Nice to have some shots with two old buddies Patrick Renard and Pierre Thomas and also the President Lothar Knauf and Serge Azaïs, Dir. Europe Knauf.

US Open, Congressionnal, Bethesda, Washington DC

Saturday and Sunday, June 18 - 19^th

A short night to clean the frustration of my game, and we headed for the Club where we trained. On Sunday, we had a long session with Dave Stockton on the putting green and we talked a lot after, to make a useful feedback of the tournament.

Speaking about feedback, the excellence of the game of Rory displayed at Congressionnal is bluffing. He managed it perfectly after his experience at the Masters. The way he played is unbelievable. What a quality of swing and shots showed during the 4 days. He kept his nerves like no one, this is like Tiger Woods at his best! Chapeau Rory!

Friday, June 17^th

Ok, out! I had my chances but the wheel was going square. Great course though, I enjoyed Congressionnal very much, a super track, but I did not enjoy the way I played... I need more experiences to feel those tournaments better.

My long game was really solid during the second round but my scoring was not acute enough. I payed the prize!

I'll stay here a few more days to use the excellent practice facilities...

Thursday, June 16^th

Disappointed, very disappointed, I drove badly, putted very well but no more putt dropped after the birdie at the 10^th (my first hole). 

Bogeys at 6 and 7 killed me, just lost my patience after 13 holes without a birdie. I left the 18^th hole mad and angry.

I had a good session after and can't wait for a revenge here at Congressionnal. After my practice session, I cooled down and now I'll go for a round under par... but at Congressionnal, you never know... Cut is 60 players and Ties + everybody within 10 shots of the leader.

Wednesday, June 15^th

Hey did you see the Rolex Watch on the site? I love that great partnership with the Swiss Timeless Luxury watches and I would therefore salute Jean-Noël Bioul, head of the Rolex sponsoring management, for his sincere friendship.

On the site you can also see the Sporza reportage and enjoy as much as I did the quality of the work of the team of Karl Vanieuwkerke, a great job in TVshow, well done Karl!

I had today also a nice communication with Claude Quenneville from Radio Canada around this 111^th US Open, to hear tomorrow on this site!

I played 9 holes today, from the 10^th and what a hole to begin with! I'll start tomorrow at the 10^th at AM 7.33 (13.30 Belgium time). Great practice session thereafter, high quality Mich and Jérôme, so I'm ready now, no questionning, no doubts, I can face the monster tomorrow.

The forecast is thunderstorms and rain, so I'm prepared for a long but exciting day!

Tuesday, June 14^th

The US Open is totally launched, a huge amount of people for a Tuesday. The US Open is their National open, they're very proud of it. Yeah, they can be. This event is unbelievable. Tents everywhere, food, drinks, merchandise, everything at the size of the country. But it is quite difficult to concentrate when you're not used to it. Phil Mickelson is followed by an army of people, but he succeeded to make a good working session. Today was not a great day for me, I mage only 6 holes, it was much too slow. But I did not spend too much energy also. Everything gets firmer and the rough is growing, so It's gonna be really, really important to hit a lot of greens on the right side! This is going to be an incredible spectacle!!!!

I went to the Merchandise tent and made quite a nice shopping ;o). On the putting green, Vince was excited at a moment because he met his hero: Bob Rotella. Typically Vince, one of these days, he will get me there, maybe in between the seasons in January 2012.

Early start tomorrow from the 10^th, after that a long session on the putting green. My chipping is alright, the strategy for the front 9 also. Mich fixed my chipping and bunkering, we are happy with the new wedge made by "baby Vokey".
Tomorrow in the afternoon, interview with Claude Quennevile, the Canadian Mister Golf in radio, might be fun!

We received good news from Thomas Detry, he qualified for the matchplay at the British Amateur! Go for it Tom!

Monday, June 13^th

Sunday was very hot again. We played the front 9. What a pleasure to play on that beautiful course. The Blue course of Congressionnal is something you don't find in Europe. I played with Marcel Siem and Greg Havret. They shared the same opinion.

Now the course is brutal, long, long and long! The greens are super fast, they are big and some of them have severe contours.

Today, Monday, there finally some fresh air, the weather forecast is fine till wednesday. I played at 8.00 the course from the 10^th tee. The back nine is the most difficult 9 I ever played. But most of all it's simply beautiful. The 17 and 18 are two gems of holes. The 18 will be for sure the most difficult hole on the course.

This afternoon, I had good chats with Roger Cleveland (Callaway) and Bob Vokey (Titleist). They both design the best wedges in the world. Mich wanted me to change my 60° and go for another head; we found one made by "Erin" the assistant of Bob Vokey. That wedge goes directly in the bag, I'll use it straight away, it's a topper!

Two more practice days now to better the knowledge of the course and to practice the shots I will need. By the way I didn't go to the driving range but spent all my time around the chipping green, bunker green and putting green.

Saturday, June 11^th

Arrived today and welcomed by a super humid heath. Very hot, over 30°,  so humid, something we do not know in Europe. The driver of the courtesy car explained "With the global warming we don't have any spring anymore, it's already summer in May".

The second surprise is that we get a car for the week, a Lexus RX350 with a special immatriculation: USGA 163!

This event is so huge here in the States and this is just an example. 

Now the key is to stay awake and to try to sleep at least till 6.00 in the morning.

Thursday I'll play at 7.33 AM with Heath Slocum, winner on the PGA Tour last year, and Russel Henley, a 22 years amateur who finished tie for 16^th on last year US Open.

Training British and US Open

Royal St Georges, June 9^th

Last Monday, I had a great meeting with Carl Vanieuwkerke, a sport passionnate and a great journalist. We had a very pleasant afternoon. Watch Sporza (VRT) on Sunday!

Royal St Georges is a great course, the par 4 are awesome, the wind is really blowing and make the course very challenging. I found a great welcome here at the Secretary, the caddymaster and with the Pro. Very useful to come here to have a better understanding of all the options. The course is pretty dry and the rough is arm, so the wind will be the major factor to play the course. Par 4's are very difficult, long with dangerous bunkers! With Mich we are shaping low trajectories with the driver that we might use at the US Open... but that's another story!

Mark Roe joinded us today, it was very intersting has Mark shares some stories with The Open (he participates in 12 British Open, and was leader once at Royal St Georges). Around the greens, the key shots will putting from the fairway (texas wedge) and bunker shots. That's what we practised together!

Royal St Georges, June 7^th

First of all, thank you for your messages. We finally found what we needed for the British open thanks to you!

I'm so pleased to make those 2 rounds at Royal St Georges. I played there a long time ago where I won as a Junior, Nick Dougherty finished second. But this is another story, a much longer course with a world class field. I'm thriilled to find the right lines on drives and entries to the green, in bump and run style! I do like very much the links golf, it's so creative, working in three dimension. Mich is with me here in St Georges to fine tune my swing and to help me decide on the right type of shots to use, certainly at less than 100 meters from the pin. I'll go for low trajectory drives and I might do the same at Congressionnal, because it's so long and narrow over there. That course on their websites looks like a damned devil golfcourse. Speed is 14 on the stimpmeter, greens are a marbre surfaces, that's what they say!

Vince had Dave stockton on the line, to have his thoughts about an ideal schedule on the US Open, when playing 9, when playing 18 holes, ... We pretty know now how we gonna handle that week. It will be some experience. I'll tell you more on a few days!

British Open and US Open preparation

This week, we planned to make some practice rounds on Royal St Georges, this will be also a good preparation for the US Open. 

By the way, if somebody has a house with a few rooms nearby the Royal St Georges course, don't hesitate to leave a message on this site! Thanks...

US Open - European Sectional Qualifier

Walton Heath, May 30^th

Guess what? A Belgian won the European qualification for the 2011 US Open. -9 on 36 holes, the Old and the New Course at Walton Heath Golf Club. The day began with 3h30 delay due to misty conditions and I was playing one of the last out of the 100 players (I started at 13.15). I played the last 23 holes in the cold rain. Brian was exhausted, and Vince and Jérôme were wet through as we finished at 21.00. They were my two spotters for 36 holes. Cold, soaking wet but so happy!

I wonder if a Belgian ever participated in the US Open...

We will go there to learn: the tightness of the fairways, the deep rough and the hardpan greens. The US Open will be my first professionnal tournament in the States. I played some tournaments there as a junior but in this case, it is something special, isn't it?

Program 2011: US Open - British Open - US PGA, 3 Majors in a row...

BMW PGA Championship

Friday, May 27^th

I was cruising nicely from the first, with 2 birdies refused by the hole himself on 5 and 7, when I had some bad luck on 8 when my ball struck a branch and went in the water. Double bogey, after two birdies. Then again, 3 chances for birdies 9-10-11 missed, and a bad drives into the woods, double at the 12^th. Then birdies at the 14-15-17. I had to make eagle at the 18th, 215 meters against the wind, and struck not perfect, into the water. Bogey on 18!

The first round was the guilty!

Training now for 2 days before the qualifications of the US Open on Monday at Walton Heath on 36 holes for 9 places!

Thursday, May 26^th

+1 after 9 and +7 at the end. The bogey after a monster drive at the 11^th puzzled me and I drove badly on 12, 4 putts on 15 and a ball in the water on 18^th. A nightmare today. A round wasted. At no time I was confortable on the greens today, I couldn't find the right lines and pace. I found it hard to concentrate also. In fact the strong wind and the rain this morning did not help. The wind was blowing from the opposite direction of the prevailing wind.

After the round, I had a good session on the putting green and went for a visit at Sunningdale Golf Club and his proshop. Then rest at the hotel to prepare tomorrow's round!

Wednesday, May 25^th

Early wake up at 6.00, breakfast on the Thames... Ready for a sunny day. From tomorrow, rain is on the forecast!

Rain will lenghthen the course even more. Yesterday, on some par 4's, I had 3 wood and 3 iron on the opening hole and on hole nr 3 I had driver and 5 iron. Depending on the wind's direction, I have long to mid irons. Many of those par 4's are quite long like 1, 3, 9, 12, 13, 15. I don't quite think it's a good idea to reach in 2 the 2 par 5's, 17 and 18. The punishment is severe and the target quite small...

-5 at the end of the tournament will be a great target, that course is a real tough test!

Tomorrow I'll play at 7.50 UK time. Program: wake up at 5.15, at 6.00 breakfast in Wentworth in the players lounge, 6.20 chipping green for half an hour, driving range another 30 min and putting green for the remaining 1/2 hour.

Tuesday, May 24^th

Wake up at 6.00 with Michel, Jérôme and Vincent, breakfast and direction Wentworth. I'm surprised by the conditions of play. They have told me that there is a serious drought in England. Well if Royal St Georges is dryed out, Wentworth is pretty green. They had to water the course pretty much.

I played 18 holes this morning, then had lunch on the lovely terrace of the club house, and went back to the range to fix my driving with Mich.

At 3:00 PM, with Vince, we had a nice talk with the responsable of my favorites watches with which we are going to partner again. This is a nice present for my return in better form. I thank them for keeping their word. Old friends never die...

At 4:00 PM, the major golfing rendez-vous of the week: Dave Stockton came to congratulate me and said with his californian accent: "Awesome Nicolas". He watched every shot and came with a program on my putting: new position of my right hand and right arm, the famous "spot" 1 inch before the ball on short putts, and a new rubber grip for my Odyssey putter! We really love the man. After 5 min, his proposals were agreed and we practiced for one more hour and a half.

Some people asked through this site what are my clubs: you can find it now in the section My Bag. We also added upon the demand of some of you a page on my amateur carreer (see Results -> Amateur Years).

Tomorrow, no pro-am but again an intense day:

• another short game session with Mark Roe
• a putting session with Dave Stockton
• a meeting with Callaway
• a debriefing with Jérôme

I play Thursday at 7.50 AM with Simon Dyson en David Horsey

Volvo World Match Play

Watch the pictures of this tournament

Sunday, May 22^nd

Ok I had my chances against Ian Poulter. Am I disapointed? No, abslolutely not. I was exhausted after the match, I gave everything. With Mich and Vince, we made the debriefing on the progress and the experience we made this week, and on the different turning points like today on 3-8-9-10-12 and 14. There is room for progress. We start tomorrow a session with Dave Stockton... Top 100 in the world must be achieved now and there is 99 % that I'll qualify for the British Open. As I'll enter the top 100, it's very likely that I'll play the USPGA. Nice program for the next weeks where I wont play in Wales to rest and prepare Italy as good as I can.

But after all, what a incredible and unforgettable week here at Finca Cortesin!

Saturday, May 21^st

Can you believe it, a place in the semi finals of the Volvo World Match Play. Just amazing, I have no words. 4 scalps now on my palmares.  I'll play against Ian Poulter tomorrow morning and the other semi final is Martin Kaymer, seeded world N°2 against the world N°3, Luke Donald. Poor start thiS morning against Vegas but a very strong finish in the heath of the match. Half an our later I continued on my roll and cruised nicely against McDowell. Then G-Mac played some superb shots and came back but I continued my solid game with a 265 meters 3 wood on the fringe of the par 5, 11. On 12, I knocked a 205 meters shot 40 cm from the cup to come back 2 up. Some great drives, irons and  putting gave me the victory.

Everybody wants to know my secret... OK, there it is: I have one of the best team on the Tour! The work done since 3 years begins to pay off and I'm still progressing, like the work I'm doing this week. Thanks Mich...

Thanks to all my supporters here in Finca Cortesin, and especially to the head of my fan club, Mimouche Debroux. She develops a great energy and sends great positive vibes. Thanks to all of you, who even came from Belgium. You know that I know that you are there...

Friday May 20^th

And what about that? A Belgian leads his group beating two world class players. I am exhausted but so happy. This morning I spent a lot of energy against Retief. From the first tee shot, I was a litlle bit nervous and my swing was not that fluent. But hole after hole, I regained control and confidence. From 3 down I came back to win at the 18^th! I must admit that my long game is great. That is what my opponents are telling and they did not talk a lot the whole day. Especially this afternoon, with Rory, both of us hit great shots. I knocked it stiff at the 7 for a given eagle. My irons were better than my driving all the day. After the afternoon match, we worked with Mich on the driving. He asked me to be more patient at the start of my downswing. The "Jordan" effect, he said. My club needs to stay in the air a fraction more, like Michael Jordan did. I may not rush the beginning of the downswing. This will help me having a better rythm and more accuracy and length through the round. I'll certainly need all my weapons tomorrow...

Tomorrow, I play Jonathan Vegas at 8.25, a strong player who won on the PGA Tour. This long hitter comes from Venezuela but grew in the States through his University golf school. The winner of this match will play the quarter final against the winner of McDowell - McIlroy.

Thursday May 19^th

Another working day today, with Mich for the long game and putting and also Mark Roe for a chipping session. Even with that swirling wind, some guys scored very well. Westwood made 6 birdies in 8 holes, just to confirm that he's N°1 in the world. My opponents, Rory McIlroy and Retief Goosen did well also with 13 birdies together today! Graeme McDowell and Luke Donald put a lot of red figures on their card. Tomorrow ot's my turn to jump in the tournament, against Retief Goosen at 8.15 in the morning. He lost his first match, so he absolutely needs to win the second one!

Tuesday May 17^th and Wednesday May 18^th

Finca Cortesin is one of the most beautiful hotel that I visited, classified 20^th in the world. The course designed by Cabell Robinson 4 years ago is a true gem. The views on the mountains are superb and a number of holes are overlooking the Mediterranean sea. But it's a bloody long track, more than 6.750 meters with 4 of the 5 par 3's over 200 meters and 2 par 4's doglegs over 450 meters. The surroundings are hilly but the fairways are pretty flat. Between 7 holes, we'll have buggys to gain some time because these paths are sometimes quite hilly and long. But the greatest concern is the heavy crosswind that makes the course even more difficult. The wind is never helping, you have to really battle, shaping almost every shot. On par 5's the greens are very small and I have a few 3 woods to try to catch them in 2, like on 5, 11 and 18! But I have a secret weapon: low drives and low chasing 2 irons!

The greens are great, rolling and fast, so everything is there for a great tournament!

Tuesday night, we had a party and a dinner with all the players and the officials. We gathered for some pictures of our bracket (Retief, Rory and me) and of the entire group. It felt a little bit unusual to me to be part of those players, we don't know very much each other. Nevertheless I had a good chat with Luke Donald and with Martin Kaymer and I had dinner with Aaron Baddeley; it is his first visit in Spain, and we talked about Australia.

Mich Van Meerbeek is here with me, we are sharing the room. We set up a new technical program for the next tournaments. The objective is to play more in a "pipe", playing straighter shots. I need to adapt my stance which was to closed and center my upper body. My hips may continue to move freely, the right hip nicely pivoting backwards. I need to do this to be able with the driver to work the ball with the new shaft.  With my previous driver, I could manoeuvre the ball thanks to the spin. With the new one, I need to be more cautious and more square, aiming a little left when I want a little fade at the end of the flight. It will help me also on crosswind left to right.

We are working also the putting, with a taller posture for a better action of the left arm and hand, something Jerôme had put in his report in Barcelone, 2 weeks ago. Mich is very happy with my grip and my forward press. The rythm is also good. We will work on lagging long putts as we feel that, the way the course is set up, long putts will have quite an importance. It's gonna be difficult to go for the pins on each hole, certainly on par 3's and 5 when I can reach them in 2. So I will need to putt those long ones dead, that's the program after the pro-am of this Wednesday.

Monday, May 16^th

Arrived today in Finca Cortesin, beautiful resort by the way, and quite a bracket: Rory McIlroy and Retief Goosen! I will play 36 holes on Friday, no match before... Pro-Am on Wednesday .. Training on Thursday.

I'm part of the Gustaf Larson Bracket. And do you know who Gustaf Larson is? Well, he was one of the founders of Volvo! In Spain, they pronounce Bolbo!

Between tournaments...

Brussels, 13 May 2011

The match in Anderlecht was an amazing experience, I met a lot of people amongst them fine golfers like Johan Beerlandt, Roger van den Stock, Philippe Collin and Kristof "Fly" Vliegen. The tennisman is a good friend of Michel, and a member of the Anderlecht supporter's club St Guidon!

Did you know that the man on the European Tour logo is Harry Vardon? Padraig Harrington suggested that it would be replaced by the silhouette of Seve Ballesteros!

Today, training in Royal Zoute with Margil Gutmer, CEO of 3^e Bureau, nice weather...

Brussels, 11 May 2011 17:30

Tonight, if you go to Anderlecht to see the football match Anderlecht - AA Gent, you will see me hitting a bigger ball but with the foot this time. The good news is that they only give me one shot...

Open de España

May 8^th

Looking back to this tournament, it was very strange, the athmosphere was very heavy. The tears of Chema Olazabal were meaningful and sum up the feelings of all players.

As far as my game is concerned, I never could properly read those greens. So the 22^nd place is logical.

Now, let's concentrate on Finca Cortesin for the Volvo World Match Play. Everything is new for me; the match play, the course and the 24 players format!

But I'm really looking forward to it and the week after on the BMW PGA Championship in Wentworth.

I received the news that I entered in The HSBC Champions in Shangaï in November the 4^th and last WGC of the season.

So many changes all of a sudden...

May 7^th

A quite unusual day today. The bad news came early this morning. The whole field was shocked after hearing that the great Seve had passed away.

I never found the right way to concentrate. The ghost of the Big Spaniard was haunting everyone's mind. At 2:00 pm a minute of silence had been decided by the Tour. The emotion reached its climax at this time; my mind was then far, very far from the competition...

May 6^th

It's not that easy to play with Monty, you need to get used to, you know, but we talked together quite a bit and all in all we had two good days. I putted better today and my long game is still strong. I'm not surprised that the scores are higher today as players begin to discover all the traps of the course and the difficulties on the greens.

My father is caddy this week, he's helping Romain Béchu, a French teammate of our coaching team. They play together in Paris (EuroDisney). Romain made this week his first cut on the Challenge Tour as a pro. It's a great achievement for Romain to pass that cut after a couple of difficult years, and a foot injury that lasted for 18 months... Well done Pa!

Tonight we are also thinking to Seve Ballesteros...

May 5^th

A mixed first round, I played ok, didn't find the speed of the greens that well, but after the round I went to the putting green and fix it with Jérômel All the buzz of my win, the press, the congrats, .., is now calmed down. I'm optimistic for the second round. Great to play with Monty and Stephen!

The course is set up for short and straight hitting players, rather strange for a Greg Norman designed course.

May 4^th

This a new course. The old location was close to the airport, now the Real El prat is 40 min away of the airport. It is a pretty modern course (designed by Greg Norman in 2004), long, tree lined, a lot of water in play, narrow with firm greens heavily protected. A real tough course... Spanish players are quite hot, normal it's their Open!

Today I had Television in the morning and a Pro-Am in the afternoon. It is high time now to get focused in the tournament. I have a Scottish flight tomorrow, with Stephen Gallacher and Captain Monty!

May 3^rd

Tough first day in Barcelona. I spent the day with a crew of the VRT - Sport Weekend, Edwin Van de Sande, nice people, and I had an TV interview with a french Internet TV "Journal du golf". This is quite tiring as you need to be concentrate all day. Tomorrow morning, The European Tour Productions will make another film in Barcelona. In the afternoon Pro-am. I'm not used to all these distractions but I feel it does affect a lot my preparation. But ok, that is part of the business, I accept it totally and I enjoy it. I will need to focus deeper in the competition before Thursday.

You want some news from the WGC Bridgestone Invitational in August? Well the PGA Tour said that I am eligible and that they entered me in the tournament. Waow! USA in August with the 78 best players on Tours...

Aftermath of a victory

April 28^th

Great day with the press in Royal Waterloo! A lot of spirit with Philippe Toussaint and Reginald Swaelens, the brother of late Donald Swaelens. Great discussions with the journalists, with a lot of new faces from De Standaard, Het Laatste Nieuws or het Nieuwsblad. Check this week-end newspapers

The PGA of Belgium presented me a lifetime honorary membership! Bernard de Bruyckere, the PGA Chief Executive, handled me the Certificate in name of all my PGA collegues and the President.

Minister Muyters (Ruimteling Ordening en Sport) send me his congratulations. Should my recent notoriety help the construction of new courses in Belgium, this could be a great bonus for the country. And maybe I could receive a lifetime membership from my friend Chris Morton in Damme who desesperatly waits some permits to build 9 new holes...

But the most emotional moment was the phone call of EDDY MERCKX, I felt in pieces, he is so sincere, so kind that he touches you right in the hart! I'll never forget that moment. Eddy, you're the greatest!

Another phone call came from Dave Stockton to Vincent: "Tell him that I am so proud of him, I watched his 10 last holes, I was thrilled how he handled the pressure, he striked the ball beautifully, he stayed perfectly focused. I'm looking forward to see him during the BMW PGA in Wentworth..."

Thanks again to everybody who send me messages through this site. More than 400 messages, still 56 to read, I'll do that tomorrow...

April 27^th

I'll participate today in a Radio Show debate, RTBF La Première with Fabienne Vande Meersche. It is about sport management and coaching in Belgium with other sport management and coaches, Philippe Gilbert - Vincent Kompany - the Borlée Family.

Tonight party with a few old friends...

And tomorrow Press meeting in Royal Waterloo!

Volvo China Open

April 25^th

Before flying back home I want to express all my joy of reading your messages through this site. Thank you to all of you for your support! I am sorry but I will not be able to answer you individually, but I'll have the pleasure to read you all...

I'm now 10^th at the Race to Dubai  and 105 at the world ranking. My next tournament is the Open de España in Barcelona and then I'll play the Volvo World Match Play in Finca Cortesin (Andalucia - Spain) before going to the BMW PGA Championship in Wentworth! Appealing program, isn'it?

April 24^th

Oh yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

There it is, my first win on Tour... All my toughts to my parents and my team. Mich: "20 years together pey, what an adventure". Thanks to all the messages on this site, I'll read them all. And particularly the one from Philippe Toussaint who won 37 years ago. A lot of respect to you Philippe, we have now one more link together: passion for golf, competition, hockey and football. Good luck to you tonight with Anderlecht.

Today was the toughest day, I needed to stay in control, because a bunch of guys were firing after me. But I stayed calm and displayed great golf with the help of Brian Nilsson, my caddy. I decided to give him a nice present for his birthday, he's 41 today. Great putting (Thanks Dave), on behalve of the 16th, but I played the chip too quickly. Nevertheless, I finished in control strongly without too much attacking the pins. Great drive again on 18, over 340 meters... then I align myself cautiously like we trained before I flew here. So the Job is done, some party now, Marcel, Greg and some caddy friends are red hot...

April 23^rd

Maybe the most difficult day. The wind is blowing and the course is getting quite firm. You need to be more accurate and cautious attacking the greens because they are not that receptive anymore. I started perfectly with a 7,5 m eagle put and managed to play well on all par 5 (-5 on the 4 par 5). On 18 with a forward wind, I made my best drive, one we called a "mokachino fumé". Brian told me it was over 345 meters what left me about 200 m to the flag. I took a 7 iron and went for the heart of the green. This 18^th hole is quite a good hole!

Tomorrow is a another day...

April 22^nd

My new Callaway driver stayed in the bag, it's very efficient and passed with flying colors the first two days! But I will study it deeper with Mich when I am back in Belgium, to be able to work the ball the way I want, low, high, left or right spin, and again low and high with spin... The course is very nice, with wide fairways. It is the reason why the scoring is low. But there is one thing one must absolutely avoid, the bunkers. There is too much sand and you drop very easily a stroke. My putting becomes better and the scoring is consistent. Two more days to go, alot of golf to be played...

April 20^th

What a change in temperature! What a change in culture! And I'm also on a change. I tryed a new driver made by the Callaway crew with a Fujikura shaft. An excellent club where I can not only be long but also where I can work the ball. In California at the Ely Callaway Performance Center, John Degen made a great driver, but during tournaments I was not confortable to move the ball. This time, I might have find a new club or my bag! We will see tomorrow...

Maybank Malaysan Open

April 17^th

Well, 17th with 3 scores under par. In fact, 2 to 3 strokes  day could have been saved, but I was too far of the pins. I never drunk that much water, from 7 to 8 liters a round. We walked with a wet towel on the head too cool you down. The ones who suffered the least awee the locals and the younger players. Today was a pretty long day with more than 22 holes to play and 45 minutes between the 3rd and 4th round. Well done Matteo, he's such a nice guy. Now we are moving to China for the next tournament, I think I'm 73^rd now one the Race to Dubai...

Well Done Tom Detry, winner in Belgium!

April 16^th

Never seen so much rain in my life! I wonder how the course will work it out... We couldn't finish the round because of poor light. The course is pretty long now and the priority is to be long and on fairways otherwise you're plugged and have to play with a muddy ball. Long and precise, easier said than done...

April 15^th

It's so warm and humid here in Kuala Lumpur, a real temperature feel of over the 40°! I drove the ball better, found the good speed on the greens. Unfortunately as I pared the 10 first holes, I made a double bogey but managed to eagle and birdie to come back under par. Finally, on the score board, a nice belgian flag but, honestly, I would have prefered a Spanish one... Once again, it's here very, very hot, very tiring in fact... 70-70 -4, I'll play this week-end not too far from the lead...

April 14^th

I stayed very patient today. My drives were too erratic, missing a lot of fairways. The course being very wet, I had several times mud on my ball and could not clean it. Due to the extremely wet conditions, you could clean your ball today on fairways (Local Rules). But nevertheless, I managed to put some red figures on my card and finished at -2. I did enjoy my patience today...

April 12^th

Long trip but after a week off. Couldn't see the final round of the Masters because I was flying, but I looked to the reports. Amazing, no! Last week, I trained with Mich to fix my posture and my long game. I'm confident with my work, now I'll see how I handle the warmth and the high humidity here in Kuala Lumpur.

Hassan II Trophy

April 1^st

Not much to say. I play that crosswind badly and never find the right lines on the greens of the Palace... Too many bogeys and no birdies on the back nine. I'm not happy, bad April fool today!

Now my mind is in preparing the next tournaments in Asia...

March 31^th

I'm cooked: 5 hours under 38°! At least, I finished under par... I'm surprised I tought that the good scores would have been played at The Ocean and it's on the Palace that they shoot the lowest. Tomorrow morning, I have an early start which is nice under those temperatures. The warm wind made the greens very dry in the afternoon, and it was not easy to make birdies. Anyway I had 2 or 3 more in the hands. My iron game is great, so let's see what kind of fish brings that 1^st of April.

March 30^th

Pretty tired with the heath here! The Royal Palace is a beautiful scenery but I think that peolple underestimate the difficulty of this course... Some will be surprised by the scores... If the wind blows, those tiny and slopy greens will be incredible to play. They're like roses, beautiful but with painful needles... But I must admit that that links land, very natural near the Atlantic in a Royal palace is worth to be seen... It's like the zwin in The Zoute designed by Trent Jones, so many different trees and flowers, so genuine, a pleasure for the eye, specially for the holes near the shore! A gem certainly, but a nightmare if your are not pin point accurate!

Tomorrow I'll play the Ocean Course, 100 meters from the palace owned by a Prince, cousin of the King. Family business... a good course, recently build but very well designed, with at least receptive greens... I 'll be paired with an amateur, playing with James Morrisson with another amateur...

Bénédicte Toumpsin will play her first tournament on the Ladies Tour here at le golf du Soleil, good luck to her!

March 29^th

This tournament organized for the first time in Agadir Morocco is played over two courses: L'Ocean and the Royal Palace. The second is stricly reserved for the King and his family, so it's a particular event to play. Quite sunny here but the Scirocco is coming for the rest of the week: a strong warm wind from the sahara, so it's gonna be quite warm on the fairways...

Open de Andalucía by Turkish Airlines

March 27^th

Not much to say. It's a bad day and the difficult pin positions had nothing to do with it but it didn't help, surely when you play with you B game... So, it's better to forget it and think to the next tournament, Hassan II Trophy in Agadir Morocco!

March 26^th

One or two putts had to fall today, but they didn't... Not my best day, and a very slow one... Grrrrr... I have to get back the putting I had on Thursday... that's my task for tomorrow.

March 25^th

I batlled like a devil! What a suspense... I knew that I was on the cut line... but on those first nine of the cours, my last 9 holes, there are no par 5 and some holes are very tight.. On the 7, I was lying badly under a palmtree and did a very strong recovery shot, I look then at Brian and we shared a silent "waow" and an eyed wink! Nevertheless I had a 2 meter's putt for par and 2 holes to go. At the 8^th (my 17th holes) I miss a 3 meter birdie and 1 long par 3 to go. Not the funniest of situation. But a good par and I'll play this week-end. The surprise of the day was the visit of a Princess after 5 holes... Sye stayed 13 more holes and enjoyed it! ;o)

March 24^th

Malaga is a strange course, you have to be cautious... Unfortunately I lost a ball after a great drive on 12, must have hit something landing...but aI had to wrote a triple bogey on the card.  So it's a first card with a lot of ups and downs, and I'm happy with my 2 good birdies on 14 and 17! Today, I putted beautifully, that's a good tool for my confidence because I really would like to play this week-end...

Sicilian Open

March 21^st

Finally 5^th in Sicily... Now I'm travelling through Rome to join Malaga for the Andalucia Open. Let's hope we have good weather there, last year they've had so many rain before the tournament that they deserve nice conditions this time.

Bénédicte Toumpsin finished 9^th in Terre Blanche on the Let Acess Tour, well done Belgium... I told you that I had a good coaching team...

March 20^th

Winds, showers and thunders during this 4^th day in Donnafugata. Again, I'll play well and applied the techniques decided in training last week. I'm on my way, each round better and better. Like in Dubai, my best day is the last one (71-71-69-68 par 71). I wish my good friend Raphaël Jacquelin to win this tournament, he plays so well all year round...

Donnafugata is very close to Sigonella, where the american drones and YF16 flyed today to bomb Tripoli (Lybia), 18 minutes from here. We could here the sounds of the jets... So I can tell you that during the bad weather interruption, everybody was watching the TVnews to know if some missiles could arrive around here! Also, rumours says that all the flights will be cancelled tonight and tomorrow... What a strange athmosphere, and it will be a pity for the winner tomorrow, because he will be alone, no players, no spectators, a little press... A pity also for his tournament, normally Sicily enjoys such a nice weather, but for me tomorrow maybe another top 10, the first one of the year!

March 19^th

My game comes back! I played really well today. 17 greens in regulation! And I changed the putter. At the start of the tournament, I had decided to give a try for my Odyssei 33 inch, but today I went for the one I received from Dave Stockton, a 35 inch Rossa Taylor made! My stroke and my position were much better. I must admit that I was 1 against 3 with that 33 inch putter: Dave, Mich and Jérôme. Ok, ok, fair enough, I keep the 35! One more round tomorrow, we'll go for it!

March 18^th

It was a cold and very windy afternoon, with some showers. Very difficult to score, Not many players went under par in the afternoon. playing in the morning was therefore a real advantage! I played well, drived better today, still there...

March 17^th

A good round, even if I had a bad driving day... A few drives on the left, that caused too many bogeys... We fixed it on the driving range after the round, and I'm now ready to handle the second round.

March 15^th

Donnafugata is a nice place even if we discover this golfcourse in a too early stage. So I'm convinced that there is a nice potential here in Sicily. I'm curious how the field will react scoring wise on a young course...

March 14^th

After the Great experience in Terre Blanche, direction Sicily, the Donnafugata Golf Club, a new resort, unknow by most of us... Jérôme Theunis is with me to launch this streak of 3 tournaments before Asia!

Between tournaments...

March 10 ^th

I've got a strong team, one of my secret. This training's week is important. I can see that Mich and Jérôme have prepared each second of it. Dave Stockton ghost is on the Terre Blanche greens. Hard work but a lot of fun...

Tomorrow, Bénédicte Toumpsin will join us with a few french pros and amateurs working with Mich. I know them all, I met them in Australia and, now, they all work with us and with Daniel Béchu.

It will be a pleasure to meet them on the next 2 training days...

March 7^th

After a few days of hollydays with my parents - last time was a ong time ago, I can't remember - it's time to to take the clubs back out of the bag. And I'm really looking forward to. I   feel great after those wonderful days at 2000m under a wonderful sun. My legs are as strong as ever and I'm ready for the program prepared by my coaching team. Michel is waiting for me at Terre Blanche, Jérôme is with him. It's my friend Raphaël Jacquelin who told me that Terre Blanche was perfect for a serious practice session. We called Alain Alberti, the head pro there, and fixed a week of work there.

Februari 24^th

Yesterday at the Royal Waterloo, I had a great press lunch with the belgian journalists specialized in golf. It was an exclusive discussion. I do appreciate their work and their fidelity as well, certainly when things weren't going that well. We spoke about the Tour, the objectives, my team, the consulting with Bénédicte Toumspin  (we help her because we strongly believe in her), my new parners (Knauf, 2pm, Popsy) and the historic ones Lacoste, 3e Bureau, Mannès, Titleist, Royal Waterloo.

We spoke also about Jérôme Theunis entering my team under the direction of Michel Vanmeerbeek.

This week is also devoted to doctors, nutritionist (Dr Balon-Perin), dentists, osteopath (Blaise Erpicum).

Today I went to Paris at Lacoste headquarters to discuss the details of 2011 and the new products. Lacoste will launch a new golf line in April!

After a few days off next week, I'll prepare the next stretch of tournaments in South of France (Terre Blanche). Mich has put a program down for that week, taking in consideration our feedback (Jérôme, Vincent and myself) from the first three tournaments.

Next: Sicilian Open, Andalusian Open (Malaga), Trophée Hassan II in Agadir.

Dubaï Omega Desert Classic

Februari 13^th

This is how nobody wants to start a round, a 4 m birdie putt lips out before the second putt makes the same. 3 putts on the first without any bad shot. Same situation on the 5^th, 3 putts. I struggle from then till the double bogey on 9... +4 and 9 holes to go. And the birdies were refusing to drop, one after the other, till the 13. A massive drive followed by a pitching wedge (540 meters par 5) and 2 putts, good for my first birdie. From then the ball started rolling on my side and the last holes accepted my shots and my putts. I didn't receive an hole in one like Quiros, but at least, somme birdies dropped, on 14-16-17. My patience has finally payed off!

Return home now, after 4 months abroad, smelling the fresh air of Belgium again, parents, friends, the surrealistic politic situation, the food etc. I have 4 weeks to prepare the next stretch, beginning March in Sicily. I'm really happy to have a break now but I know also that in 4 or 5 days, I will be looking to my next tournament...

Februari 12^th

Tough course because of the wind and the firm greens, the 69 today is a good one if you look at the overall scores. I had a lot of approaches at 1 or 2 meters from the green. 5 of 6 went very close, 2 hit the flag but didn't go in... 4 birdies and 1 bogey today. By the way, I drove the heart of the 17^th green, a par 4 of 328 meters...

One more round tomorrow, the same windy conditions are announced... Even if all the Belgians living in Dubaï weren't there, they are 3.000, I had the support of a few ones, early birds (I played at 7.51), like Erwann a pilot at Emirates Airlines!

Februari 11^th

Great game of golf today, where I needed a lot of composure and patience. Quite unlucky on greens with 3 lip outs and 6 putts ending less of an inch of the cup. It was intense till the 36^th hole because I knew that I needed at least a birdie on the last green. Had to wait 20 minutes on the tee because in front Jamie Donaldson lost his ball and had to come back to the tee. Today on the par 5 18^th, I played a 3 wood (a huge one) from the tee followed by a 6 iron, to finish on the green in two, 6 meters above the hole. Once again I made 2 putts, good for the needed birdie. 17 greens in regulation for a total of par, 73-71... Not easy this course, the cut stayed at Par. I stay for the week-end... Belgian flag still alive in the desert!

Februari 10^th

Some great shots but also some bad ones certainly on par 5's. Tomorrow needs to be better if I want to play this week-end. Early start!

Februari 9^th

Tomorrow at 12;30, 9.30 in Europe, at the 10^th tee with Michael Campbell and Robert Rock. I'm looking forward to that game. All the attention is put on the famous pairing with Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Tiger Woods, N° 1-2-3 of the World Ranking.

Today we cheered Jos Vanstiphout for his 60^th birthday. I'm happy he's fine after his different health problems... Happy Birthday Jos!

Februari 8^th

The Emirates country club is one of the most beautifully manucured course, with perfect bermuda everywhere. I had a practice round this morning, around 7 AM, as early as the sunset, to have the opportunity to play in 3h15 on a twoball. I hate slow play and playing so early is quite nice. Later, on the practice ground, I had the visit of Malcolm McEnzie, former winner of the Open de France and new dstributor of V1 and flightscope in Europe, who came capture some figures with the flightscope.

The spot became crowdy because 2 players came hitting balls around me: Martin Kaymer and Tiger Woods... Always a good moment, they don't choose a spot by odd...

Doha, Qatar

February 5^th

This tournament is already over. I've made the feedback.

Now it's time to prepare the Dubai Desert Classic!

February 3^rd

This Doha Course is a real test of golf. The wind is playing a huge role here along the Persian Gulf. Greens are as hard as pan and the course is long. I'll take the driver out on each par 4 and par 5. Once again, I will need to work the ball and I'll go for the old Ping driver who allows me to use the spin to shape the shots. Driving distance stats is definitely not a issue for me, but scoring is! The rough is specially heavy and thick and makes the lay out pretty narrow. With hard greens you don't want attack them from the rough. So, it will be a hard fight against that course and the strong winds... This explains the beautiful list of winners: Karlsson, Stenson, Goosen, Els, Quiros,...

Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship

January 31^st

My next tournament is the Qatar Masters in Doha. This week I'm training in Dubai.

January 23^rd

What a great week... There is some game in there. Trust me... You only see the top of the Iceberg on the scoreboard... And above all, I've got one of the best team On Tour! I have one week off now, I organized some 18 holes in Dubaï during those 8 days and I have a training plan before my 3 next tournaments: Doha - Dubaï and Avantha masters in New Delhi! Stay tuned...

Januari 22^nd

Another good day of golf, I'm pretty happy with my long game, but I'm a litlle bit far from the pin for hoping easy birdies. 18 greens in regulation today! Tomorrow I'll with Argentinian Rafa Echenique at 9.16 AM Belgian Time!

Januari 21^st

Played better today, better driving also. With Jérôme we had a talk with Michel yesterday night and he fixed it clearly. After one drive at the range this morning, I knew he was spot on. This course is long because longer player can't use the full length of their drives. Overall I'm pleased with this journey even if we had a lot of rain (in the desert!!!!) on the 4 last holes with a great chip and putt on the last...

Januari 20^th

Well, I knew that coming back after 11 weeks out of the European Tour would not be easy. And I was right. I was not that confortable on tees. I don't feel the lines of play very well here at Abu Dhabi. I took my old driver because I wanted to move the ball. Since Sunday, my trainings were pretty good, so I'm quite positive. This is confirmed by Jérôme Theunis who we asked to coach that first week of the season. We had decided in November that we would ask Jérôme to be here the first tournament of the season. Michel explained him our strategy of coaching and what we did in December during our Californian preparation. Jérôme has now decided to be a full time teaching pro and we will use him on 5 or 6 tournaments this year. It's one more member in our team. We have a great partnership here since Sunday and I'm looking forward to the next rounds...

Brisbane, Australia

January 14^th

Brisbane Airport. I'm at the gate. In 30 minutes I'll fly for a 23H trip to Abu Dhabi through Singapore and New Delhi. I'll be in Abu Dhabi at 7AM local time (3AM central european time). From floodings to the desert...

January 13^th

Got that little piece of paper back on me at 9.00 this morning! What a film, you can't imagine the relief when finally receiving that little burgundy passport! Then back to the Canberra airport to return to Brisbane. Tomorrow, 9.20 direction Abu Dhabi!

January 12^th 11:00 PM

Finally arrived tonight in Canberra, it's 11PM now. I'm looking forward to tomorrow 10.30 at the Embassy. The pictures on TV over the flood are incredible... No words... I never seen so much water in my life...

January 12^th

The situation here is a nightmare. For my part, the belgian consulate is closed, after 5 hours search, it seems that my passport should be in Canberra at the Indian Embassy. So I'm flying now to Canberra, and will go to that embassy tomorrow morning. Then hopefully, I 'll fly back to Koolangata, the only airport still open near Brisbane, collect all my stuff, and then trying to find a flight to Abu Dhabi! This situation here is very stressful, I'm looking forward to an end at this long and nerve-racking story...

Januari 11^th

The situation here is really disastrous. We can't move anymore, we have to stay in our apartment. Brisbane in under water, so are naturaly the golfcourses. My passport is at the Indian Embassy, so I need to wait for it before thinking to fly away to Abu Dhabi. But overall the situation here is really frightening with high winds, heavy rain, waterflows... I hope for all the people here in Queensland that the situation gets better because it's becoming a true nightmare...

Januari 6^th

Life is never siimple. Going from embassy to embassy, it seems impossible to get a Business Visa to India to play the Avantha Masters! And I'm so eager to compete... My caddy Brian is flying over on Monday, so we can level up our preparation, before playing Abu Dhabi, my first tournament in 2011. To see my program, click on the above agenda.

Januari 4^th

Happy New Year to everybody!

I'm on the coast under Brisbane. The incredible floodings are north of where I'm staying. The flooded area is so huge, more that France and Germany together! Difficult to imagine if you never came to Australia...

I'm staying in an apartment 70 km from Brookwater Golf Club where I went the 2 last years. I'm happy to meet my olf friend Ken Berndt who, with Tom his brother, moved now his academy to Hills Golf Course. I'm playing different golf courses around here, with other pro's, and in particular Olivier Serres from France...

 

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