Should I visit Thailand?

4 rounds of golf over 5 days. Where do I even begin. 

For starters, those of you having second thoughts about visiting Pattaya and Bangkok because of the coup, just GO.

Disregard the negative news you hear and read about. For the 5 days we were there, we didn't see any protest(s) and felt perfectly safe walking around during the day and night.

The curfew has been lifted and if not for the delicious foods and fruits (mango sticky rice oh nom nom), it's a great time to go with the massive ongoing sales and cheaper-then-usual hotel accommodation. To be honest, you really wouldn't notice there was a coup. 

Needless to say, we had a fantastic time and as a result I am taking a short break from Golf to recover, literally, having fallen ill (perhaps enjoyed too much of the spicy foods and mangoes, though my wife thinks its a case of 'over-golfing').

Part 1 of our Thailand Golf Holiday next! 

I am back!

Time really flies when you're having fun (or on the golf course). Just got back last night from a wonderful golfing holiday in Thailand. Managed to squeeze in a round and the Nilai Springs Golf & Country Club yesterday morning too. 

Plenty, plenty to catch up on in the next few days. I can't see my office desk at the moment, so holiday posts will resume in a day or two. Hope everyone had a good golfing weekend!

 

What a week of golf

Lot's to catch up on.

If you haven't been following the US Open over the weekend, here's what you need to know. Former world No.1, Martin Kaymer lifted his second major in what was a scintillating display of golf. When asked earlier what would be the winning score on Sunday, Kaymer said "+8".

Cool as a cucumber, he carded a -10 total after day 2 and it quickly looked like everyone else was chasing for second place. With a 5 shot lead into the final round, Kaymer cruised his way to victory with a final round score of -1 to win by a mammoth 8 strokes. Rickie Fowler and Erik Compton (who's had not one but two heart transplants) finished tied for second and were the only 2 other players to finish the tournament under par. Which makes Kaymer's win, that much more impressive.

Was disappointed that Phil Mickelson didn't complete the grand slam, which was a shame. But Phil's play didn't spell confidence and after round 2, it eventually settled that this wouldn't be the year.

Reverting back to his conventional grip (from the claw), Phil couldn't get it together and eventually finished +7 for the tournament and tied 28th. Was following the action on the telly and you could tell from his facial expression and body language that Phil was having a tough time on the green. 

At 44, time might not be on his side, but I believe he has what it takes to come back and be in contention again. Let's go Phil!

But in spite of what I said earlier, I was very pleased to see Rickie Fowler finish runner-up. He hasn't won this year, but revamping his swing with Butch Harmon has proved positive in the big events so far. So I am sure we will see more of Rickie in future.

Closer to home, Malaysian Amateur and golfing prodigy, Gavin Kyle Green, became the first amateur to win a Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour event (co-sanctioned by the Asian Development Tour) at Vascory Templer Park Championship. At just 21 years of age, he carded a final round of 64 for a massive 11 stroke victory over a field of experienced professionals. Amazing stuff this and am really looking forward to see him turn pro.

In other news, played again on Saturday and no sub 90 score this time round. Back to regular programming it seems after carding a 98 on a day when playing conditions were perfect. Although, there were some positives to take from the game. 

i. Kept the ball in regulation, lost only 2 balls this time (from 2 drives which I pulled to the left and out of bounds, on the same hole too, leading to a cringing 9 on the par 5, 18th hole)

ii. Managed a few pars and a birdie on the par 3, 17th hole, which was nice.

iii. Was hitting my hybrid much more consistently then last week and was still hitting greens in regulation which was good to see. 

The let down funny enough, was the short game. Compared to my last round, the pitching, chipping and putting were off. (pitch shots were fat and even duffed 2 chips, which really annoyed me). Putting wasn't that great either and was duly punished by taking 2 - 3 putts on the green. 

But overall, I can't complain (prior to last two rounds I was carding scores in the 100's) and I am hoping the game will continue to stay consistent when we leave for Thailand this Thursday where we will play two rounds in Pattaya and one in Bangkok. Can't wait. 

U.S Open - PineHurst No.2

The World Cup might be underway, but I for one am more interested in the U.S Open which begins today. 

And the word on everyone's (or most golfers) lips? Phil Mickelson. Since Phil lifted his 5th Major title at the British Open, Muirfield in July of 2013, chatter of completing a career grand slam have been ongoing. 

As beautiful and fitting a story that would be, Phil begins his quest and arrives at Pinehurst No.2 on the back of a lucklustre season so far. With no wins yet in 2014 (including a missed cut at the Masters) there isn't much to suggest that Phil's in form. 

But as we look back to that crushing defeat at Merion in 2013 we recall how, he bounced back from that demoralizing loss and staged that amazing come back to lift the British Open.

If statistics are anything to go by, Phil's opening round will be a telling sign. In each of his 6 runner-up finishes, Phil has played par or better in the opening round and so far, he's liking how the course plays and is confident about his gameplan.

Again, the fact that most people will be rooting for Phil to win says all you need to know about him. The stuff you hear about him being that genuinely great guy? It's all true and I say that from personal experience. 

I digress, but that's me in the cap and a towel wrapped around the neck during the CIMB Classic in 2013. Phil didn't win but he still came out everyday after each round to see the fans and took the time to sign autographs in the scorching Malaysian heat. He would look you in the eye and ask with a smile "Hello, how are you?"  and thank you for the support. That's class.

Now, almost a year after Muirfield, we return to Pinehurst No.2, the site of his epic 1999 duel with close friend Payne Stewart and the first of his record six runner-up finishes at the U.S Open. For Phil to clinch the U.S Open and complete the grand slam would be epic in Hollywood proportions.

So I guess you know who I will be supporting. Let's go Phil!

Golf is a funny game, that I love.

Just as I was saying how funky my game has gotten, I play my best round in two years and managed an 89 for the first time!

Prior to Saturday morning's tee-off I managed a 9 hole round last Tuesday during the Gawai holiday. Didn't play particular well then so I definitely wasn't expecting the play on Saturday. On reflection I noted a number of positives:-

i. Long game was more consistent and had better ball flight. Much less of an outside-in swing and drives were finding the fairway.

ii. Kept the ball in regulation. Over the last few weeks I was losing up to 8 balls per round and the penalty strokes definitely don't help the score or mental game. Lost 3 balls on Saturday. 1 from bad alignment, 1 lost in the rough after a pulled drive and the last from a fat shot which landed in the hazard.

iii. More greens in regulations. It's been a while since I hit more greens in regulation and it's nice to have the option of 2-putting for par.
iv. The wedge and putter were hot.  It helped that the wedge play was tuned and the putts fell too. Seems the back-yard practice has helped my short game around the green. Time to buy that chipping net people. 

The cons:-

i. Hitting fats shots. For some reason, my swing is bottoming out way too early and I am taking divots 2-3 inches behind the ball. Hopefully I can sort it out before our Golfing trip to Thailand.

ii. Outside-in swing. Still had a number of shots from left to right. I need to remember to come more from the inside on the downswing. Tuck in that elbow and keep my back closed to the target longer. 

Overall, I was pleased with my game, particularly the consistency which has been missing in my game for a longgg time. Though in the past, I have been able to play in the low 90's only to score in the 100s the following week, so we will see how we go this weekend.

Golf is a funny game, that I, really love.

For Sale : Brand NEW Puma Golf Shoes (UK Size : 9)

I have too many golf shoes at the moment (I game with a pair of Truelinks Proto, FJ with boa system, Puma with another pair of Puma's still in box) and after spring cleaning over the weekend, I have decided to let these go. 

1) Item for Sale : Puma Golf Shoes (UK Size : 9)
2) New or second hand : New
3) Selling / Asking Price: RM250 (inclusive of postage within Msia)
4) Item Description: Please see pics below
5) Item Condition: 10/10
6) Shipping Information: COD in Kuching or Courier within Msia
7) Special Note: Selling to clear golf inventory

Interested please call / sms : 016 8892897

Thanks for looking!

Asian Pride

It's been a good week for Asian Golf with two of its stars notching wins on the European and PGA tour. 

First up we have asian veteran and Eurasia 2014 team captain, Thongchai Jaidee who won at the Nordea Masters after a one hole playoff against Stephen Gallacher and Victor Dubuisson.  A final round of 65 gave him the early clubhouse lead and when the trio teed off on the 18th hole, only Thongchai found the fairway and went on to make birdie to lift his 6th European Title. An excellent win against a formidable field of golfers.

Then we have young Japanese phenom, 22 year old Hideki Matsuyama (interesting trivia - Thongchai Jaidee is 44) who recorded his first PGA win when he lifted the Memorial Tournament after a one hole play-off against fellow asian, Kevin Na. 

Kevin Na, who teed off much earlier in the day had to wait hours before the playoff and the wait took its toll when he pulled his drive on the par 5, 18th and found the creek on the left. Hideki on the other hand had to tee off with his 3 wood having broke his driver earlier. He found the fairway bunker  with his drive but was able to prevail for his first PGA win. (only the 4th Japanese player to do so). Though it's not all bad news for Kevin Na. A nice runner-up finish and a berth at the US Open at Pinehurst. 

An impressive win for two talented players and a huge boost for Asian Golf.