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Crans/Sierre, Omega European Master
Thursday, September 2nd
16 greens today, I played much better than what the figures actually show...
By the way, I want to thank all the people that are concerned about my 3rd and 4th rounds. Thank you for you messages but don't be afraid, I'm not nervous and I'm not blowing these rounds up, I'm just working new techniques out. We decided with my team to reinforce my short game, and we need to find the right kind of shots, kind of clubs, kind of techniques, in short grass, rough, deep rough, etc. Last week we decided to try new type of shots. I give it a go the 4 days of the tournament, and it was not a succes, not compatible enough with my game.
But we are definitely moving towards the long term. We are very optimistic and we are not in a hurry. No pression. Time to work on tournaments since my card is secured. Working for a better future, and very very pleased with it. There is no reason to be afraid, you'll see me back in the hunt...
Gleneagles, Johnnie Walker Championship - Scotland
Sunday, August 29th
No sense to speak about my round. EDOARDO MOLINARI are the two words that I want to express. He won in a fantastic manner, 3 birdies to finish, and has been selected by Captain Monty for the Ryder Cup. He deserved it so much, I'm so happy!!! Bravo Dodo, Che cuore! Sei un reale Campione!
Saturday, August 28th
A day without feeling, a battle without arms, Nothing to add... so sad... let's concentrate to tomorrow
Friday, August 27th
68 -4, 2 different 9 holes. I began my round on the 10th. A few birdies at the start, I was going very nicely even when the fog drifted in after 4 holes and we had to stop for 20 min. It was very chilly at that time. Hole after hole, my game was very strong, making the birdies, till I get to my 12th hole were I was shocked after hitting a lady marshall with my drive. This is what I hate the most on tournament. Fortunately, she did recover quickly and could continue her marshalling. These emotions cost me my momentum and I managed to come back in +2 for the last 7 holes. Anyway, I'll be close to the top 20 tonight and I can capitalize on that good 11 holes in minus 6 today for the 2 last rounds. The hard work we did on Tuesday and Wednesday payed off, Mich was happy too.
After the round, I came back with Vincent to that hole with a nice gift for that lady marshall and I expressed once again my sincere excuses. I was releaved that she was perfectly well. She wishes me good luck.
Thursday, August 26th
I'm so angry!!!! That 72 must have been 68 or 69...
Today was chilly but no rain, very fast greens and overall good playing conditions. Unfortunately, I misread some greens. I must have made more birdies today... They'll fall tomorrow. But once again, how wonderful are those greens. The ball seems to fly over the surface, it never jump but glide so softly. Speed: 11 inches!!!
Wednesday, August 25th
The sunshine makes this country so different. Heaven on earth...
From 8.00 this morning on the practice range, what a pleasure! I had just before noon some Flighscope analysis (average driving velocity 118 miles per hour and a carry at 280 meters). After lunch, I had another huge session with Mich and Mark on that extraordinary chipping and pitching area. Finished at 5.00, time to rest!
Tomorrow, I'll play with Aussie Brett Rumford (we play Tuesday our practice round together) and Spaniard Pablo Martin from the first tee at 12h30 (13h30 Brussels Time).
Tuesday, August 24th
6AM awake, started at 7.00 with 3 Aussies. At 7.30 the rain begins to fall like hell. It stopped 3 hours later, We were on the 13! And we finished dry. Then a quick lunch, Mich had 12 warm soups to recover some warmth...
Thereafter, we went to the short game area which is the most wonderful place I know to chip and pitch. We played there for 3 and 1/2 hours and 2 hours for with Mark Roe. We achieved very interesting work, I played the best I have ever done! Now I need to bring it to the course, I'm confident and certainly not too gready...
I stay here with my team (Mch, Vincent, my parents) at Anne and Erich's Collearn House here at 3 miles of the golfcourse. It's such an amazing place, so beautiful with a lot of lovely people who take care of us.
Anne and Erich will play the pro-am tomorrow with Sam Torrance... another Scottisch legend here at Gleneagles.
They gonna enjoy their Centenary Course which is in perfect conditions despite the rain. Greens are slick, so nicely fast and so perfectly rolling. This a gonna be a great championchip.
Prosper Golf Resort - Czech Open
Sunday, August 22nd
Not a day to remember. I'm already in Scotland with my mind... Never found my rythm today in a much too slow 2 balls. It severely tested my patience. But no excuses. Tomorrow I'll be in Gleneagles for another important rendez-vous!
Saturday, August 21st
Not my best round of the week. Pins were tough today! Example: I had a bad lie on the 16th (par 5 where I can be close in 2), I never wanted to be at the right of that damned pin with my second shot. I missed a chance there! Tomorrow will be very hot with all those players fighting for the Ryder Cup Team. Nevertheless, I will be there tomorrow, hoping to show my belgian flag between the leaders...
Friday, August 20th
65 is a clean score. We had a good game with Peter Lawrie, we made a lot of birdies, well certainly more than yesterday. Tomorrow we play together again, it's good. This course is funky like I said on the European Tour site. Greens are very slopy and the design of the holes are different... A low score is never secured, that's why nobody is in dubbel digit...yet! It's gonna be interesting this week-end!
Thursday, August 19th
Strong game today. Not enough birdies but those greens are very slopy, a bit like St Omer. At the only par 5 recheable in two today, there is a tree in the middle of the fairway. Now there is a a ball mark in the middle of the trunk. neither the trunk or the ball are feeling very well ;o)... sorry for that, dear tree...
So, 15 slopy greens in regulation, but not enough birdies,.. Let's see what tomorrow brings...
Tuesday 17 August
My food intox is over, I'm ok ;o) . It's splendid here near Ostrava. Prosper is a big complex with mountains in the background, very nice vues around here.The course flow uphill and downhill, like Crans or St Omer. 6500 meters long, it will be a good training for next week Gleneagles...
Monday 16 August
Oh what a pleasure to come back on Tour again. I'm in Czech Republic now. I arrived today no in perfect shape. I'm suffering from a food intoxication and I'm hoping that those red patches will disappear becauset my desire to play is so high!
Last night, I was looking the US PGA, so many players and players in their 20's could win, what a drama...
My french friends did like their stay in Belgium, they were lucky with some nice sunny days with the swing advices of Mich, and they did enjoy Royal Waterloo, our 3 good courses and our great practice facilities.
Waterloo, Belgium
Friday, 13 August
Long time, no see ;o).
My last round in Ireland was a piece of great golf. I had only one flyer with a wedge on the 17 that causes me a double bogey, but overall those 18 holes were just how I like to play...
Last week, I went In Royal Zoute with Mich Vanmeerbeek to train. I brought Romain Béchu from France. I took him to Mich to rebuild his swing. It worked perfectly and Romain has recovered confidence in himself. Romain phoned me yesterday to tell me that for the first time in his life he shooted 62 at la Boulie in Paris! Lionel Weber a french amateur came also to train with us.It's a friend I met in Australia, a nice guy from Alsace with a great nick name...(a secret)
I'm ready for next week on the European tour, but surely I'm looking forward to Gleneagles, the week thereafter where I've been invited by Anne Emsens and Erich Lemaire. It's good to be with Belgians...
After Gleneagles, I'll fly to Crans sur Sierre, before going to Hilversum in Holland and Austria.
3 Irish Open, Killarney, Co Kerry, Ireland
Saturday, July 31st
One under for the day. Considering I am still working on my game, I am quite pleased with this round. Tomorrow is another day but I might have a fine closing round. But as they say "don't count your chickens before they're hatched" ;-)
Thursday, 29 July
68 today on this par 71, 25th. It's good scoring in Killarney! There is no rough and you have a lot of chances to hit the greens. Nevertheless you need to hit good irons to the the flags because the greens are undulated... I had the longest drive today, 326 yards, my game is ok. Let see what tomorrow brings...
Thursday, 29 July
I just heard from Michel VM the achievements of Thomas Detry: 3rd score European Boys Ch'ip, 7th Carris Trophy, he's now qualified for the Junior Ryder Cup and the Jacques Léglise Trophy. I have still great memories from those selection 10 years ago. Thomas is a great laid back guy with a splendid ball striking. Come on Thomas...
Today I'll start at 9.45, 10.45 continental time.
Wednesday, July 28th
Awake at 7.00 this morning to be the first on the putting green for a long practice session. Jérôme Theunis came with me this week and we have been working together since Monday afternoon. It's good to work in team. Today, we'll stop at 12, have lunch and we will go to the Gap of Dunloe, one of the nicest place in Ireland with his typical wild nature: mountains, lakes, rivers...
Killarney is really no links land, absolutely not. It's parkland at his best on beautiful surroundings like the Lough Leane lake and the mountains, the MacGillyCuddy Reeks. Build in the 19th century, this Killeen course has been lenghtened in 2006 for the last time. It's now nearly 6.600 meters.The greens have been changed (USGA) to be faster. There is less rough than in Sweden last week but nevertheless the treelined fairways and the 10 holes on the lake will be a good test and even a severe one if the wind blows!
PS: for all the Belgians going to the South of France, make a stop in the Luberon on the gand-place of the Village of Goult at the Café de la Poste. At noon I have a friend met in Australia at A Game Academy that is working there: Yann Marme is his name, He's a real golfan! Goult is the Village of Daniel Béchu, the Sport Psychologist and father of Romain Béchu.
Nordea Scandinavian Masters, Stockholm
Sunday, July 25th
Sweden can be so nice under the sun. But here we had very cold days with gusty winds and tonight it rained so much that the tournament has been delayed this Sunday with teetimes from the 1st and 10th tee.
At the Stockholm Airport now. Well I'm pleased with that swedisch week. My card on the European Tour for 2011 is definetely secured. I can now play without this in mind. Today my game was very hot during the first 9. Then the weather became better and the birdies came from all over the place. So I had to make more birdies again, but 2 balls in the water changed my back nine. I must admit that I did not like the double at the 17th! But no regret for the 71 other holes...
I will arrive at the airport just before midnight and will be back in Brussels airport at 4.00 in the morning to catch a flight to Cork via Amsterdam... The life of a Touring pro... Next week the Irish Open in Killarney, a great links course...
Saturday, July 24th
68 today, 2nd score of the day. Back in a top 10, But we'll see tomorrow because this is a real championship course. No kidding here. So a bad hole can always happen. Minus 5 after 3 rounds, 5 strokes off the lead, we'll see what tomorrow brings!
Friday, July 23rd
I kept on training this week with my caddy. I am sure that sooner or later this must pay off.
The course (Bro Hof Slott Golf Club, architect Robert Trent Jones Jr, 2007) is what can be called a modern one; the course is long (6734 metres) with small and very undulating greens.
Louis Oosthuizen, the winner of the latest British Open is playing; with the Dutch fellow players I am amongst the very few able to pronounce correctly his name!
Le Zoute, Belgium
Friday, July 16th
Good week of training in Royal Zoute! I wanted to stay alone for a few days and find some tigh lies to work different shots. Mich Vanmeerbeek came also today to fix my game and discuss about the next tournaments and the second half of the season. The aim is find my rythm back in tournaments which I lost a little bit in France and Loch Lomond. We worked on it and I'm confident for the near future. My 65 today into a nice wind is another good sign that I'm on my way back.
My next tournaments: Scandinavian and Ireland Open at the end of July. Then from the 16th August, Czech Open and Johnnie Walker Championship in Gleneagles.
The British Open is amazing, with those weather conditions playing a important role... Who will win? I don't know... Louis Oosthuizen had a great draw, he escapes this afternoon heavy winds, but still 36 holes to go...
Loch Lomond, Scotland
Saturday, July 10th
My story is the story of a bad draw, since two weeks... no much comment about it!
Anyway the most important news of the week is the gold medal of Belgium during the European Boys Championship. Super achievement for the Belgian Flag. Congrats Boys! You will allways remember that moment!
Tuesday, July 6th, PM
Very good day today, practised with Mark Roe and played the course, 18 holes. Fairways are very wet and the greens are not that fast. This place on earth is simply fantastic. What a joy! I stay in a lodge on the Loch, sharing with Marcel Siem, Marcus Brier and Maarten Lafeber. Belgians are amongst the very few to find their way with all the different cultures on The Tour. This week I'm with our german neighbours, but the cool ones. For those who don't know Marcel, Marcus and Maarten, well, they are nice lads, cool as I like them. Thursday I will play with Marcel from the 10th tee at 14.10 (2.10 PM).
Monday, July 5 th, PM
First decision: never, never, never again I'll fly with RYANAIR. That company has no respect at all. I've never been treated like that, it's over, finished, done. they lost a client forever...
Hopefully therefater, I could breath the scottish air and see this beautiful countryland. Hello, the land of golf, here comes the inspiration... Yeahhhhh.
ALSTOM Open de France, Paris
Sunday, July 2nd
So, that second round was disapointing, not my long game but my putting strategy. i decided to play defensive on those very quick and hard greens. I didn't do any 3 putts but I didn't hole birdies when I needed to. And when I attack on the long game, the course punished me, like that drive too long on 9 who went in the water.
Nevertheless, with the different changes, this course isr suited to my game now. My long irons from the tees are ideal and the fact that only a few can it the 14th in 2 with an iron (235 meters with an iron 2) is a plus point, I'm looking forward for a revenge...
Thursday, July 1rst
Great long game today, many fairways and greens and one mistake on the 7th, and a unplayable ball, with a drop on a gravel path out of the deep rough, an approach and 2 putts. A lot of chances but no one dropped! 72 +1, I need to sketch some more red figures on my card tomorrow, but my game is in place, so I'm confident.
Today I had the pleasure to welcome juniors from Royal Waterloo and Rigenée; there were all so enthousiastic! We had a chat together, made some pictures and a practice session. Always nice to meet all those youngsters. I do remember when I was a kid like them, I was in heaven when I could follow a tournament live...
If today was warm, tomorrow will be even warmer. I play in the afternoon at 14.20, Ooch... it reminds me somewhat Australia where it was even hotter because of the humidity.
Wednesday, June 30 th
Interview this morning with the European Tour weekly in Versailles. It will be on the air next Wednesday (during Loch Lomond). From 12.00, after lunch, we went for a training session till 17.00. My game is in good shape, I'm ready for tomorrow. Tee off at 9.20 AM on the 10th tee.
Tuesday, June 29th
Great working day here at the Golf National with Brian, Mich Vanmeerbeek and Vincent. I played 18 holes this morning with Rhys Davies, Greg Bourdy and the French amateur Romain Vattel, than later, the whole afternoon on the range, the chipping and putting greens for 5 hours. Some faces around me had turned crimson under the heavy sunshine by the end of the day!
I like the course, I find it better than the other years even if I have a lot of irons off the tees. I'll play Thursday at 9.20 AM from the 10th tee and Friday at 14.20 from the 1rst tee. It's gonna be a very tough afternoon as the forecast is 35° and some thunder...
No pro-am for me tomorrow but an interview with the Europeantour Weekly in the morning and a practice session after that.
BMW International Open, Mûnchen
Sunday, June 26
Not a good day, not a good tournament, disastrous start...
Tomorrow Paris, another story. Big field, big course, I'm looking forward to be there!
Saturday, June 25th
-4 today, another batlle with not my best game, some opportunities missed in the first holes and one or two bad shots...but after all I'm still there in the hunt...
I played with my friend Marcel and with Matteo Manassero. Such a nice gentle fellow, Matteo. I really enjoyed this round with this young, gifted and sweet guy.
Thursday, June 25th
I fought a tough batlle to the finish: -4 in the end. Yesterday my swing was ok, Today was another story... Nevertheless, I finished galantly with a very welcome birdie! I changed my putter and took my trusty Odyssey with which I played back in 2003-04. I also had good putts today, as the poet would say: An old love story never ends.... He must be right...
I'm in the field in Loch Lomond, that's also good news...
So, Munchen for the weekend, and even if this course doesn't suite my game, we are going to try to make the best of it... Auf wiedersehen ;o)
Thursday, June 24th,
69 -3 27th. A good start after 2 weeks off. Missed a few chances with 3 lip out, one on the 9th for eagle (6 foot putt). Driving is good, 14 greens in regulation, and a good stat in driving distance. Let's see what tomorrow brings at 9.20 AM off!
There we go, strong field, good weather, nice course, I'm off at 2.20PM,very late start (not my favorite) from the 10th. Tomorrow I'll play from the 1rst at 9.20 AM. Some Belgians arrived today, I saw the Royal Latem captain Michel Verheuge this morning!
Speaking from spectators, some busses will travel next week to The golf National for the Open de France, like the one from Rigenée full of 55 people!
BMW International Open, Mûnchen
Tuesday, June 22 th,
Here we are again! Back on Tour in Mûnchen. Brian, my cadie, came back from his home in Thaïland. I hope I can salute Greg Havret for his superb performance during the US Open.
Brussels Belgium
Thursday 17th
Training this afternoon in AGS Antwerp with Michel Vanmeerbeek. Tomorrow I will sustain the Pro-Am for my friend Laurent Richard. My program for the next 3 weeks:
- BMW International Open in Munich
- Open de France in Golf National
- Barclays Loch Lomond
Three great tournaments where I'm really looking forward to play!
Tuesday, June 15th
What a nice day yesterday on the La Marache with the Systemat invitees! Lovely weather, nice people and a good course, the recipee of a great day...
Interview today for a French golf Magazine in Brussels.
Queens, London
Friday, June 11th
Training and tennis week in London. I'm following the successes of Xavier Malisse at Queens! What a splendid match against Djokovic! Xavier is a very gifted player, very talented and a beautiful personnality. We have together good fun here at Queens, and because Xavier is a also a golf player, we will met more often as he wants to follow me on a golftournament. Belgium Together!
Sunningdale, England
Monday, June 7th, PM
A poor second round where nothing seemed to come in my favour. I am upset.
Monday, June 7th, AM
64 -6 this morning on the Old Course! 35-29 8 birdies and 2 bogeys... 18 more holes this afternoon on the New Course.
Qualification for the British Open. Sunningdale. 10 players qualified. No Live scoring today, results at www.opengolf.com - International Final Qualifying - Results. maybe some scores after 18 holes... To be confirmed...
The Celtic Manor Wales Open
Sunday, June 6th,
Or how to turn a bad week into a good one! Two more rounds did awful good to my game. There were some Belgian supporters in Wales (Philippe, Michel and Edgar), they all enjoyed my finish today as much as I did.
Sunningdale tomorrow, with a possible qualification for the British Open that will take place in St Andrews.
Saturday, June 5th,
A good start, then some putts didn't drop. I am pleased with the 68, this makes me jump in the ranking. You need to be very successful on the greens. Three lipped out and two stayed on the edge. So there were a few more strokes to win today. But why not tomorrow?
On Monday I will play the qualification for the British Open at Sunningdale (New Course) at 9.04 AM with Jamie Donaldson.
Friday, June 4th
This course is tough too handle, not my favorite! It's not that it's too hard but it's not my kind of design. Shots to the green are quite difficult, surely when the wind blows, what I experienced in the afternoon. Today my 71, the par, was a good one and I had to wait for a long time to finally make the cut. Good break, so I will have two more rounds to find my good form back
Thursday, June 3rd
Didn't get in the rythm of the tournament... Poor round , but tomorrow is another day and I play in the morning...
Wednesday, June 2nd
The 2010 Course. This is his name! This site is very natural nested in a huge valley. The course is long, 6.747 meters for a par 71 (compared to the par 72, 6.056 meters Telenet course, to give you an idea).
I'm playing last off at the 11 th hole, tomorrow in the middle of the afternoon!
Tuesday, June 1st
This is the course of the Ryder Cup. Long with huge greens, a course in good conditions. Yesterday I had a chek up with Michel Vanmeerbeek: posture and swing. Wednesday morning I'll have my first session with Mark Roe. I'm curious what I can learn around the greens from him. We were good friends on Tour, he is someone who knows what sportmanship means, and he is still very fit. He always had great hands and an inspirational short game. 8 o'clock on the chipping green for this experience! Yesterday night I went to Blaise Erpicum, a super physiotherapist, for a final check before entering 3 tournaments in a row...
Yesterday at Royal Waterloo, we had a great day with 30 invitees of Alexis Mannès, sharing a lot of golfing moments on the pratctice and on the splendid La Marache course - great views and blossoming rhodo's - and on the screen, inside, with Mich revealing some swing secrets!
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