April 2002

1 April, Going Up To Skibo
I have spent my time since coming back from Madeira practising hard and playing a few games of golf with my caddie Scott and friends. Things haven't been going great, but I have a lot of time until my next event in Morocco in mid April. I am heading up to see my coach David at Skibo Castle this week to get a few last tips. From what I have seen of the Tour so far, you have to go for it on every shot as making the cut on the Challenge Tour does not mean much financially and everyone is aiming for top tens and if they miss a cut or two, then so be it. Therefore I am going to focus on my driving and short game and hopefully I can get my own top ten when the Tour resumes. Hope you all had a Happy Easter and I'll speak to you later, David

11 April, Panalpina Banque Commerciale du Maroc Classic, 1st Round, play suspended
A tough day yesterday - the weather was just terrible. Very unseasonable apparently, torrential rain and very windy. I played and putted OK, but the ball just wouldn't drop. Made birdies on 2 and 4, but a handful of bogeys left me on +4 when play was suspended by the course being waterlogged. Probably be a long day today as I'll have to complete my first round and hopefully get the second round in as well. Let's just hope the weather improves! Catch up with you later. Cheers, David.

13 April, Panalpina Banque Commerciale du Maroc Classic, 3rd Round, 81 (+9) [1st - 77; 2nd - 73]
Sorry about the delay in keeping you updated - a few technical difficulties at this end. Well, I did make the cut after completing my first round in +4 for a 77, and I played quite well in the second round to shoot a level par 73 and make the cut - right on the mark mind you! Today was a different story however. All I can say is that I played terrible and the score reflected it - an 81 (+9) - which unfortunately leaves me at the bottom of the leaderboard. So that means an early start tomorrow and hopefully some better golf! Will let you know how I get on after the round tomorrow. Cheers, David.

14 April, Panalpina Banque Commerciale du Maroc Classic, 4th Round, 73 (Level)
Well, a vast improvement on yesterday. I played well today - really hit my irons well. I had a whole bunch of good chances and I should really have shot something in the sixties. However, a couple of bad 3-putts combined with a few close misses meant it all added up to a level par 73. I managed to move up the leaderboard a couple of places, but unfortunately all the damage was done yesterday - a learning experience! Given my early tee time this morning I now have a whole day to kill before heading off. Catch up with you next week. Cheers, David.

25 April, Tessali Open del Sud, Italy, 1st Round 74 (+3)
Got off to a horrific start and was 5 over par after 5 holes! I hit a ball out of bounds at the par-5 third and made a double from the middle of the fairway at the 5th. However I managed to birdie the 9th and hit a sand wedge to a foot at the last to get another one back. Overall the last 13 holes were pretty good and a missed a few chance to make a lower score. The birdie at the last could be important as I am 2 shots off the top 50 at present so I need a sub-70 round tomorrow if the conditions stay the same. David

26 April, Tessali Open del Sud, Italy, 2nd Round, 69(-3)
Made the cut with a shot or two to spare so I'm safe! I played well today but let it slip over the last four holes which I played in 2 over par. Mentally I was a lot better today, but still too many errors. At least I get paid this week, but I'll need to go low tomorrow to make sure it is a big cheque come Sunday. Off out to dinner tonight, so have to dash. Cheers, David

27 April, Tessali Open del Sud, Italy, 3rd Round, 69(-3)
Played well today, but some poor putting and a couple of poor chips cost me the low round it should have been. I got off to a poor start with bogeys at 4 and 5, but then birdied 7,10,11,12 & 18, with another bogey at 15 for good measure. I am currently tied 17th and two shots off the top ten so if I can get that low round tomorrow it should be a good finish. David

28 April, Tessali Open del Sud, Italy, 4th Round, 70 (-2)
Played well today in windy conditions for 70, but it could easily have been a 65. I missed from 3 feet at the 6th to go 3 under par after birdies at 2 & 5. I then dropped shots and 7, 9 and 11, but birdies at 10 and 12 got me back to two under. I three putted both the 16th and 18th for par, so not happy about that as it cost me a top ten. However I finished tied 14, so that is a few more Euro in the bank and hopefully I can improve the short game for the next event. Cheers, David.

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