It was amazing to see Henrik in this position! For the past two years he has been the tournament champion adding huge amounts of cash to his bank balance and enhancing an already superb reputation. As soon as he sets foot on a Dubai golf course, there is an expectation that he will always be a front runner.
Perhaps it was their respective positions at the bottom of the leaderboard that brought them onto the first tee at 0730 in the most jovial of moods and giving very bright and breezy hellos and handshakes to myself and student Danny. Being in the position that they were, their tournament was already over and this perhaps explains the very casual way that they applied themselves to the first six holes. This approach resulted in them both moving to +9 and they appeared to be revelling in each other's disasters?
It was on hole three where the similarities in mine and Henrik's game became apparent. Firstly, he hit a long pitch all of six feet and then after hitting the green side bunker with his next shot, proceeded to rifle it from there right over the back of the green into an almost impossible position! It was wonderful to see that he possessed identical golfing frailties to my own. I felt a certain empathy. However, that's where the comparison ended because somehow or other, a lightswich was flicked and he proceeded to play like the God he is. He shot six birdies in the next seven holes and there should have been more. Truly awesome.
The thing that really impressed me however is the temperament that he displayed throughout his round. He must have ice running through his veins because he never showed any emotion when things were going so wrong and for me is a truly great role model for young people wishing to make a career in golf or indeed any sport. Tommy Fleetwood wasn't bad either but his golf never really improved.
The other thing that impressed me today was the time it took to play 18 holes. Golf has a terrible reputation for five hour rounds at a professional level and players are often warned for slow play. There was no warning today other than that they were 24 minutes ahead of the clock. Henrik looked at Tommy, winked and then turned to the referee and said, "it'll be 45 by the end"! He was right and proved what golfers can do if they just try.
I could write endlessly about this experience and I am sorry to the non-golfers amongst you who must find their eyelids drooping heavily as they read some of my output? Possibly golfers get the same condition?
I assume that anyone reading this blog will have detected that I am having a rather enjoyable time. Great weather, lots of walking and new friendships formed. This is a terrific event on which to volunteer your services and if anyone out there might be interested in doing it next year, ask me any questions you like.
Photos tonight are many and varied and include the delightful Henrik, Andy Sullivan who is the leader going into the weekend and Chief Marshal, Jenni Hoskins. Oh! And I also quite like the one with the Emirates crew. Sorry Sarah!
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