Reflecting on a breakthrough year

Whatever happens during the rest of my career I will always look back on 2007 with the fondest of memories. Whether you are Tiger Woods, Ernie Els or Phil Mickelson (more of them later) your first win on tour will always hold a special place in your affections and this will certainly be the case with me.

The week of the KLM Open, my first win on the European Tour, was just about as dramatic as you could possibly imagine. There was the thrill and anticipation of moving four shots clear with just five holes to play, the frustration of the three putts at 16 and 17 to see me come back to local favourite Joost Luiten and then the sheer elation of seeing my birdie putt drop in on its last roll at the last.

What followed soon brought me down to earth with a bang. Before I had even sat down I was informed that there was a potential rules violation – over whether I had moved a bramble near my ball. However, after an agonising quarter of an hour watching the tape and a visit to the 12th fairway, it was confirmed that there was no wrongdoing on my behalf and I could finally celebrate (again!) my breakthrough victory.

It is strange looking back to see that some of my better weeks came after a missed cut. I led in Dubai after failing to make the weekend in nearby Abu Dhabi, led again over my home track, Wentworth, in the BMW PGA Championship after four blank weekends and, the week before my maiden tour victory in the Netherlands, had only played two rounds in Sweden.

This gives some indication of the unpredictable nature of the game. At Wentworth, for the European Tour’s flagship event, things were looking great after efforts of 70-67-69. The crowds were out in full force, and voice, as I teed off in the
final pairing with Paul Broadhurst but nothing went right on the Sunday and the rest is history.

Of course, nerves, conditions and some bad shots played a part but you can never really tell what is around the corner. Other than the win at Kennemer there have been some notable highlights. The weekend in Dubai at the Desert Classic was spent in the company of Ryder Cup men Henrik Stenson and Niclas Fasth, multiple-Major-champion Els and world No 1 Woods.

Pleasingly, I managed to hold my game together pretty well, going under par both days. You can only learn from these sort of experiences and, hopefully, they will stand me in good stead in the coming years. It is also great to receive compliments and encouragement from the likes of Tiger and it makes being involved in this particular sport even more enjoyable.

Another high was qualifying for my Open Championship debut at Carnoustie. Playing 36 holes in one day is never easy so to come through at Sunningdale, after a 64 over the Old Course in the afternoon, was particularly satisfying. The week of the championship was sensational – being applauded on to every tee and green is something special – and, despite not making it
through to the weekend after some ordinary putting, I will never forget my first taste of the oldest Major. Looking forward it also whetted my appetite to play in many more.

The back end of 2007 was even more pleasing than the early part. It could, and should, have brought me a second visit to the winner’s circle. First, there was a top-15 finish in my first Volvo Masters at Valderrama, and a week later there was the HSBC Champions Tournament. Standing on the 8th tee on the Sunday in China I was five behind my playing partner and world No 2 Mickelson. Come the 15th green I was two ahead!

There were all sorts of emotions flying around over those closing holes and we both made a mess of the last - a camera going off in the middle of my backswing didn’t exactly help – to go into extra holes with another Ryder Cup star Lee Westwood. A birdie by Phil two holes later was good enough and, although it was definitely one that got away, only good things should come of these sort of afternoons.

Like anyone on tour my efforts are the result of a superb team behind me. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my management team at IMG, my coach at Wentworth Kristian Baker, my caddie Adam and my family and new wife Jo for all their tremendous support and help.