Form is Temporary, Class is Permanent!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is a phrase I held on to earlier this year, as 2021 is drawing to a close I am looking back on what the year has meant for me personally. After taking 16 months away from the game (and having seen the state of my game), I wondered what, or if, I could get back to playing and competing at the top end of leaderboards again…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last week at the PGA Campeonato de Espa\u00f1a, I ticked off one of my season goals, which was to be in the hunt to win a championship with 9 holes to go, to be in position to have the opportunity to win. Coming back to playing consistently hasn\u2019t been without its difficulties, from getting the body in ideal physical shape, to understanding my game under pressure again, to technical and mental tendencies that needed addressing day in day out. It\u2019s been tough, but it\u2019s all worth it when the adrenaline is pumping when you\u2019re in a position to win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sadly though, this time around, I didn\u2019t get it done, starting the final day 7 back of the leader I knew I needed something special. After 8 holes, I was -5 for the round and applying some heat, however lady luck wasn\u2019t with me and 1 mistake, and a decision on the 11th<\/sup>, undid 3 days of solid golf, reminding me of what it means to stay in the present. Winning isn\u2019t easy, no matter what level you are at. To get deep under par at any event to claim victory is a challenge, one that needs to be learnt all over again. This is the final step for me, learning how to win 3\/4 day events. Putting it consistently all together to get over the line. It was a goal for that reason, you can\u2019t win unless you\u2019re in position and if you put yourself in position enough times, you will get it done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n People ask me from time to time, what it\u2019s like on the road. People assume it\u2019s all \u2018Blue Skies and Green Fairways\u2019, the reality isn\u2019t quite like that. People forget the long commutes, the lonely hotel rooms, the time away from loved ones and the constant disappointments of tournament golf. The weekly barrage of \u2018not quite being good enough\u2019 to win the tournament or challenges faced at having to make birdies to earn your living. It\u2019s worth it though for the weeks you do perform, they make it worthwhile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I ended up finishing 5th last week in the national championship, another positive step in the road to golf game recovery. The 5th meant I showed good form nationally to go with my 2nd place finish provincially at the Andalucian Championships earlier this summer. I am pleased with my hard work, with the aid of my coaches, I know I\u2019m on the right path to achieving my goals. I see they are in sight and it\u2019s just a continuous daily battle of one foot in front of the other to reach them!<\/p>\n\n\n\nOn the Right Path<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n