This week we are in Fukuyama for the Mizuno Open, the gateway to the British Open. By that I mean it is a qualifier for the Brotish Open, the top 4 players not exempt into the tournament will gain entry to this years British Open.
The course is a links course here called JFE Setonaikai Golf Club. It is predominantly treeless in the best attempt at a links course here in Japan. Usually we play hilly and tree lined courses so this is a pleasant change. It is a tough, fairly long course that requires precision off the tee as the rough is long.
I have had a very solid week in practice and have made some real progress continuing to build on all the work I have been doing since the Mac O'Grady coaching seminar I went to before the tour started. It has been a fun time with the guys this week and there is a really good feel about the Aussies doing well again this week. I hope it's my turn!
I played really well today in round one to shoot 1 under par. I probably haven't struck the ball that well ever on tour up here before. I hit a lot of shots within range for birdie today and did make some, just not enough. It was a positive day despite the fact that it felt 3-4 shots better than my score. The putting, long putter today is still not humming like the rest of the game but I wonder how much that is to do with the tricky subtle breaking greens this week. They were fast today!!