I hadn't planned to watch as much of the US Open as I eventually did, but felt duty bound to see what I could of my good friend Lee Westwood in his bid for a first Major.

It was particularly disappointing that it didn't work out as he and everybody supporting from Europe would have liked.  Lee played really well all week, but it just didn't go his way on Sunday. I doubt that he will have been too hard on himself because it was a very good week and put him on the right track with The Open just round the corner.

On the home front, the boys came with me back to Portrush to see family and friends and we had nothing less than a great time.  It's always good to sample the black stuff at Frank Owen's in Limavady - undoubtedly the best Guinness north of the border.  It's a regular watering hole whenever I'm back home. I also look forward to playing Royal Portrush, but three hours for 11 holes was too long for me and we cut short our round on one of my favourite tracks in the world.

Back at our home in England saw me giving a clinic for some of the boys at Tyrone's Papplewick School in Ascot.  We did it at Wellington College and some of their pupils joined us and hopefully picked up a few tips.

Talking of Ascot, I went to the Thursday of the Royal meeting together with Lee and my manager Chubby plus their respective partners.   We visited the boxes of horse owners Derek Smith and Harry 'The Dog' Findlay, part owner of Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Denman and a good time was had by all although we didn't have much luck punting despite Lee and Chubby finding the first three winners on the first day of the meeting. Our own entry, Thundering Star, didn't quite live up to his name.  Let's just say he didn't perform as we would have liked.

On the golf front, I'm at the French Open this week just outside Versailles where I need a very good finish to qualify for The Open.  I've been practising with a new driver, three and five wood from Taylormade's Burner Series and things have been going quite well so keep your fingers crossed.

If it doesn't work out for me this week then I'll be at Sunningdale next Monday bidding for one of The Open spaces available through qualifying there.