It was a surprise to miss the cut at the Valero Texas Open, because right now I do feel like my game is so close to where it needs to be.
I loved the golf course and the greens were the best we’ve played all season – all in all, very impressed and I’d happily play this tournament again. The putter was working okay; it’s just there was nothing sparkling about my golf and on a track as tough as this you have to play really well to get yourself up there on the leaderboard.
Anyway, we’re in Texas again this week at another historic tournament, the Shell Houston Open. First, though, we’re flying up to Augusta National this Monday morning with my caddie Colin Byrne to have a day’s practice on this wonderful, unique golf course.
It’s something we’ve done many times over the years, not just with the Masters but also with the other majors. It’s my first major with Adams Golf and this Monday is all about getting dialled-in on the key holes, working on my ball-flight, my distance control and club selections. That’s one of the big things at Augusta; having control over your golf ball into those greens. That and the short game, obviously. This practice day gives me a bit of a head start in my preparations, so when I get to Augusta next week I’ve already done some of the work that I want to do. It makes the build-up to the first round a little less busy. Basically, it means I can pace myself better. I like that.
Moving on to this week, then. The Shell Houston Open is a wonderful tournament in it’s own right and the Golf Club of Houston Tournament Course also happens to be the perfect golf course to get your game ready for The Masters. It’s a big golf course with firm, fast greens and not much rough to speak of, and it is always in unbelievably good shape. In recent years the guys would always deliberately set it up to create a similar kind of challenge to Augusta National and I hear the new owners are of the same mindset, which is part of the attraction and why it has added appeal for any player who wants to play the week before a major.
Of course, there’s no right or wrong way to get ready for a major – you either choose to play the week before or you don’t. Everyone is different and to be honest I’ve mixed it up and done a bit of both in my career. This year it absolutely feels right to be teeing it up this week. I need to get more competitive golf under my belt.
In the meantime, you can follow me on Twitter @TheBig_Easy
