It's been a tough road lately and one which has produced more breakdowns than I anticipated, but I'm hoping The 3 Irish Open will see the start of my return to form.

Baltray is a great track and after the disappointments of both Japan and Italy where I only managed two days' work at each venue, it would be very satisfying to give home support something to cheer about on the east coast of Ireland. The wind will be a deciding factor because if it blows as it can then there are going to be a lot of swings tested to the limit as well as a golfer's patience and determination.

One thing which never varies though is the support of the Irish crowd and I'll be doing everything I can to give them something to cheer about.

I've been doing all the hard work as usual and I just have to keep telling myself that it will have its rewards eventually, but it's tough when you know you are not playing at the level you are capable of.    I'll just keep plugging away and see where it takes me.

My great friend and ex bag man Billy Foster is doing a sponsored walk carrying a Tour Bag on his back from Loch Lomond to The Open Championship at Turnberry between the 9th and teh 13th July 2009. All the monies will go to The Darren Clarke Foundation and then be shared between Breast Cancer charities and the Candlelighters Children's Cancer Trust and I'm hoping that you will all dig deep and support Billy on this mammoth task . Click Here to go through to Billy's page on Just Giving and be part of the action.