Last night was a disappointment. When I finished my second round of the BMW International Open in Munich with two birdies in my last four holes, I really thought that three under par was the cut mark and that I had made it.
Then the thunder and lightning suspension hit the golf course.
My fears came to fruition, and after the storm blew through the golf course, and the players restarted, there was a genuine calm, with softer conditions, and it was a birdie-fest.
Eventually, after a late night for players and officials, the round was completed and the cut fell at four under with 68 players making it to the weekend.
On reviewing my golf this last week, I feel I am making progress with my all round game, my driving is strong and I am hitting a lot of greens.
I just think I need a few more breaks, hit my irons closer to the pin and I deserve a good putting week. As we always say, it is all about small margins. I just need to stay patient.
I have a big couple of weeks ahead of me.
Next week I am in the field for the $6 million Horizon Irish Open at Mount Juliet in Ireland and followed by the $8 million Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance.
In the former I hope to see my Dubai Duty Free friends, who I understand, are supporting this tournament.
It is always one of my favourite times of the year in the British summer, which marks the fifth anniversary of my Scottish Open victory, one of the biggest wins of my career, at Dundonald Links.
Irish and Scottish golf, with its history and tradition, is always of interest to me and where the game of golf all started.
In my home country of Spain, golf is reported to have started around 1890, so my countryman are, in comparison, pretty new to the game.
On Monday 4th – Tuesday 5th July, the week of the Genesis Scottish Open, I have a special treat of being invited to the JP McManus Pro-Am to be held at Adare Manor in County Limerick, Ireland, venue for The 2027 Ryder Cup.
Ten of the top 11 in the OWGR are playing, as well as Tiger Woods and so many more. It is a ‘who’s who of golf’ with the holders of golf’s four majors committed to play and I have heard it is a sold-out event. It is the sixth hosting of this charity event that began in 1990 and has raised over €40 million over the years. No surprises that there is a typically strong Irish contingent playing, including Rory McIlroy, Padraig Harrington, Paul McGinley and Shane Lowry.
We say goodbye to last week in Germany and thank BMW for their hospitality and hello to Ireland. It only takes a couple of good rounds to turn around a golf season.
Speak to you all soon and stay cool.
- Rafa is a Dubai Golden VISA Awardee and has a winter base in Dubai. He is a four time winner on the DP World Tour including the winner of the 2012 Dubai Desert Classic. Rafa is also an Ambassador of JA Resorts & Hotels.
