Abu Dhabi is one of my favourite weeks of the year and although a tie for 27th wasn’t that great I was happy with my golf as it got a little better every day and my confidence grew as the week went on. Last week was a busy week for me both on and off the golf course. I have many ties to the region and all the projects in the pipeline make me very excited to be linked with such a great place.

I managed to get out to Yas Island which is being developed by Aldar and visit the Yas Links which has been designed by Kyle Phillips. He has created a links course just a stones throw form the Yas Marina Circuit where the F1 race is held which is visually wonderful as it clings on the edge of the island’s shore. In true Phillips style it looks like it has been created long ago and blends beautifully with the surrounds. I’m a Kyle Phillips fan but I’m also excited for the course to mature so I can get out there to play it and give him some feed back, good or bad. There is nothing like this in the UAE and it has been a real talking point and will undoubtedly be a huge attraction to golfers.

I’ll be back to Yas next Monday as I’ll be meeting with some of its new members and playing one of its holes. I’ll give you another update and let you know how it plays next week.

For the flight to Doha this week I was charged for excess baggage. Not a big surprise as my clubs once packed up with all the shoes and extras came to 30kg. As I boarded the plane a gentleman from Qatar Airways came running up to me and apologised profusely for the inconvenience as he handed back the money I was charged for my baggage. He told me there had been a mix up as the airline is a sponsor of the tournament this week and I was not supposed to be charged. To be honest there really wasn’t any inconvenience and although I’m not a fan of handing over about £50 so my clubs make it I’ve become used to it. I’ve never been handed money back from an airline before and I like it!

I’ve spent the first couple of days re charging the batteries and stretching out the muscles. The pro am yesterday highlighted the fact that this is possibly the toughest course we play in the Middle East swing. The conditions have been a mix of wind like an Open Championship and rough from a US Open which is going to make this a challenge. Looking at my previous outings round the Doha Golf Club this is clearly a no lose situation. I’ve played three times and missed the cut three times and I had considered not playing here again. However I have many friends here and I love playing in this region plus I want to be on the course as every round I learn something. I paced third in driving distance last week which is a good sign. Looking at the list of previous winner’s length has always been a common trait. I’ll need to combine this with accuracy if I want to be near the top of the leader board this week.