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GOLF BLOG THE OPEN EXCLUSIVE: Welshman Rhys Davies' diary on the challenge ahead at Royal St George's...
THE biggest week for golf on these shores is with us, with the world focusing its sights on Royal St George's and already feasting on no end of Open Sandwich gags. And there's another one.
What better time to catch up with this Blog's personal tour diarist - Rhys Davies, the young Welshman who already has a European Tour victory under his belt - for his views on the week, and weekend, ahead...
Rhys, over to you...
'I'm going into The Open in reasonable form. I've been doing OK, with some good performances when I tied for 15th in Italy and France, although I did miss the cut in Scotland at the weekend. But I'm working hard and my swing's looking pretty solid right now, so I have every reason to be positive.
'I've had the best part of two weeks off recently which I'm hoping will be of real use to me. It's something I learned from my first season on tour - resting is as important, if not more so, than playing sometimes. I feel like my batteries were charged, and I played well in Paris, so things are looking good.
'The course at Royal St George's can suit me. It's certainly very challenging and well-bunkered. Just look at that giant one on the fourth hole. You don't want to get in there. I hear the members play out backwards, and I don't want to be considering that!
'The weather will play a massive part in how the week unfolds. And not just for me, but everyone. It's been such a mix lately that it's the players with the best temperaments who will have an advantage, and hopefully I'm one of those. The wind can easily make you miss a green, you just have to accept that. It's the next shot that's crucial. If the wind is calm, the course is not massively long - helpful to the shorter hitters.
'If the weather is a real mix then the draw can have a massive effect, but you just have to accept that. It's only when you wake up that you can judge if you've been lucky or unlucky. I've got an early start on Thursday, teeing off at 7.14am with Fredrik Jacobson and Mark O'Meara - now there's a man who knows a thing or two about winning the Claret Jug.
'This will be my third Open, and I'm obviously looking for an improvement on my past two in which I haven't made the cut. But it would be wrong to think that that's a focus, as any golfer going out just to try and make the weekend isn't approaching it in the right frame of mind. I want to be in contention for the Championship after 63 holes. If you are up there with nine holes to go on Sunday, then you have a chance.
'Although Tiger isn't around this year, there's Rory now to step into the spotlight. His performance at the US Open was exceptional - as good as it gets. As a professional, my own game is my absolute priority, but it was great to see one of my mates on the Tour doing so well.
'I've known Rory for quite a few years now and we get on really well. It's always great to see other Brits and Europeans doing so well in tournaments and the rankings.
'But if you're looking for some advice as to who you should put some money on this weekend.. well, apart from myself, of course, how about one of Luke Donald, Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood. Not a very imaginative list, maybe, but I'm going for a 'home' win...
Rhys appears in the new EA SPORTS Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: Masters Edition game. Available on Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii, gamers can play the revered Augusta National course for the first time. For more information visit www.ea.com/uk/tiger-woods
Golf Blog is using The Open to step up a gear and go into near overdrive from this point on (barring holidays, golfing fixtures, childrens' sport days...you get the idea). But the blogs should be far more frequent in future, so do email golfblog@dailymail.co.uk or see me on twitter @dmgolfblog to have your say, and your questions answeredby our PGA Advanced Teaching Pro...
July 12, 2011 Comments (0) | Permalink