:: October 08

7 October, Alfred Dunhill Links Championship

I had high hopes entering the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship this year after finishing second there last year, especially after having played so well at the Ryder Cup. The week started off really well when I found I was paired with Jamie Redknapp, who is a great guy, and someone I have got to know over the last couple of years. The weather in Scotland this year was a lot more testing than the year before, and some strong winds and cold weather made scoring more difficult, although the way I struck the ball all four days, I gave myself a great chance to shoot some low scores.

I hit 33 out of 36 greens the first two days, but couldn't buy a putt, and the hole ended up looking like the size of a pea. This was especially frustrating on the first day when everybody was scoring low and making the most of the one calm day that we had. The longest putt I made the first two rounds was three feet. Honestly, I am not exaggerating! But I guess I only have myself to blame, as after the Ryder cup I hadn't done any practice and went to the Dunhill a little underprepared.

All in all, it was an event I really enjoyed, and had a great time with Jamie, and as a team we finished a respectable -8, although we didn't make the cut to play on Sunday together. Looking back on the week, I really felt like it was a week where I could have been in contention very easily, and those were positives I am going to take into my next event in Valencia in two week's time. I can feel a hot finish coming on for the end of the year! Justin

31 October, Volvo Masters

Bad news all around this week I am afraid. Conditions here at Valderrama have not been too good, but that aside, I am sad to report that my grandfather Dondie passed away this morning from a heart attack. He had a small attack on Wednesday night and was in hospital awaiting an angiogram this morning when he died. So I am heading over to South Africa this weekend to be with the family and help with the funeral as my mum also just came out of hospital on Wednesday. This unfortunately means I will not be able to complete my rounds here in Spain, or go to China next week as planned for the HSBC. My play hasn't been great this year but this sort of thing always puts golf in perspective. My grandfather was a great man who was eternally optimistic and had the most incredible attitude of anyone I've ever met and will be an inspiration to me always. Justin