A tough course and an even tougher week on the greens meant that a tied 16th finish in the Irish Open wasn't exactly following the plan to perfection. No complaints though because things are continuing pretty well and I'll be hoping to further boost the upward trend on my playing graph in the important months ahead.   Hearty congratulations to my ISM colleague Richard Finch, who registered his first professional win on European soil in excellent fashion... including a swim on the 18th.  I've heard of people throwing themselves into water after a win, but never before.  

Now it's the Tour's flagship event this week and I'm delighted not only to be back at Wentworth for the BMW Championship, but also with the family gathered around me at home.  Mum and dad are over along with sister Andrea and her husband Davey so I won't be lacking support this week. And the boys will probably be out at the weekend as long as all the homework is done.

Being a Liverpool supporter, I wasn't terribly bothered about who won the Champions League clash between Manchester United and Chelsea.  But having played golf with Andre Shevchenko, I was leaning slightly towards the London side.

The main thing, however, is for me to be ready for the start of the BMW because I will be trying my very hardest, as always, to add this illustrious title to my CV.  There have been many great champions and it would be fantastic to be able to add my name to the list.

You may have read that I decided not to try to pre-qualify for the US Open this year.   It was a very tough decision, but one I felt had to be taken so that I didn't have to change my schedule too much or interfere with my plans to make this year's Ryder Cup team.

I definitely want to be in Valhalla and I will be doing everything I can to make the European team.