Gloomy overcast weather arrived for the weekend but it was actually a blessing as the temperature was much more enjoyable.
When you are starting the weekend right in the cut line there is one direction you want to go and fast, that is forwards. For me the weekend was all about trying to make serious birdies and be extremely attacking where possible. I think this week actually saw me play a little too conservatively and as is often the case up here in Japan that leaves you with large breaking putts.
Although the rough was thick here it seemed as though the small shots from the rough from the short side of the pin were actually the easiest. So different to a week ago at Brookwater where short side misses usually ended in bogies. I took too long to get back into Japanese golf mode after a month back in Australian conditions. It actually didn't dawn on me until my back nine on Sunday.
My weekend was a battle. Even though I was starting to feel better health wise and improve my tee shots, particularly on Sunday, I just didn't hit it close enough. I left the putter too much work all weekend and that meant long birdie putts and par saving putts from too far all too often too. Even though my short putter was performing ok it was given too big a task by my long and short games. I struggled for timing and rhythm with the putter over the weekend on course and it's obvious to me that I still have a way to go in this transition. When I got it right it was very very good and is truly exciting looking forward. I just need to keep working hard to allow the good to turn up more often.
I'm disappointed in my weekend but really happy to have put two full tournament weeks under my belt with the short putter. If someone told me two months ago that would happen I would have thought that person was mad. Here I am though and despite it being far from comfortable or even good yet, I'm through it and better for it. I look forward to continuing my work with my coaches back home and studying what Jason Day is doing as it is obviously working for him!!!!
Travel day today and tonight, I'd rather be staying to play the next event up here but I just didn't do well enough this week to play my way in. Back to the practice green I go!!