Austria was a very interesting experience on all fronts - most notably from the fact that I led the driving accuracy stats, which was probably a first for me.   I was also eighth in greens in regulations so my tied 19th finish was obviously down to my short game not being as sharp as I would have liked. Chipping and putting are always key to low scoring.

Obviously, I'm hugely disappointed in not being part of the US Open this week and that's why I keep practising and practising to ensure that this season's setbacks are not repeated in future years.  That's what drives me on.

But there was one benefit from not being at Torrey Pines.  It meant that I could go down to the River Test with my good friend and fishing guru, Keith Maxwell, who taught me all I know about the ways of the water and has passed on his wisdom to my elder son. With Keith's help, Tyrone was able to land his first ever brown trout and what an exciting experience it was for everybody.

I've also taken the opportunity to return to Portrush for the first time in a few months to see family and get a fix from playing one of my favourite courses in the world. I'll be home on Sunday, by which time I will have hopefully avoided all the action from San Diego.  I won't be able to resist watching the last round, however, and nothing will give me greater pleasure than the opportunity to shout home either of my good friends, Lee Westwood or Ernie Els.  It will also be interesting to see how another friend, Tiger Woods, gets on in his first event since The Masters and surgery.