The alfred dunhill links championship is arguably the most fun week of the calendar and this year was no exception even though the weather was not particularly kind to us.

A most enjoyable week was had by all and I spent most of mine in the very agreeable company of the head of the Dunhill company, Johann Rupert, a larger than life South African, who invariably brings a smile to everybody's face.

Last year I missed the cut, but had to play on the final day because Rupes made the amateur cut although he did not put any restriction on my drinks bill for the Saturday night.   This year, he missed the cut, but I didn't so I had to stay more sober than I had the year before.

It was still a very good week for socialising and it was great to catch up with old friends like Michael Vaughan, Beefy, sorry Sir Ian Botham, Shane Warne, Hugh Grant etc.,.etc.,.

From a professional viewpoint, it wasn't too bad a week although my putting stats do not make for the best of reading at the moment.  It's an area of my game I am working on harder than ever and hopefully the results will be seen in a hectic end-of-season schedule.

I'm heading for Portugal soon and then it's Volvo Masters, HSBC in China, Barclay's Singapore, Australia and Cape Town.   I'm particularly looking forward to going to Australia again because I haven't been there for quite a long time.