It's a big week for my Tour career but the only pressure comes from myself, writes LLOYD SALTMAN
HAVING Michael Campbell hitting shots beside me on the range at Loch Lomond on Monday was enough to tell me that this is one of the biggest weeks in the European Tour season, let alone my own career as a professional.
While some of the top players
in the world are in Scotland, preparing for next week's Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, I am simply delighted to have received a sponsor's invite to the Barclays Scottish Open. I never played in this competition as an amateur, so to make my debut this year as a professional is a real bonus.
Nobody needs reminding about what a fantastic course Loch Lomond is. We have so few of a similar style in this country, it is a joy to play there and the calibre of entrants this week – Mickelson, Els, Montgomerie to name but three – shows you how highly the tournament is regarded.
Some people argue there is more pressure on the likes of myself as a young professional in this environment, but I have never felt that way. The pressure all comes from myself, it always has done, and there is never a thought of being overawed by some of the guys you are competing against.
If there is a goal for this week, it is surely that the top five in the Scottish Open who have not already qualified for the Open will make it to Birkdale. That will be in the back of my mind when I tee off in the first round tomorrow.. Next week is due to be a week off, but it goes without saying that I would happily swap that for a return to the Open.
A lot has been made of the lack of Scottish interest in this year's Open but I think that has been overplayed a bit. Only four – so far – players from north of the border will feature, yet there are more young Scottish players coming through now, and more strength in depth, than there has ever been. It should only be a matter of time before there is higher representation at golf's top table.
My request for fair weather in Lyon last week could hardly have been more of a forlorn hope. Thunder storms and torrential rain on Thursday meant I couldn't even get onto a flooded practice ground, let alone the course, and had to play 36 holes on Friday. That was something of a new experience, it reminded me of Sunday afternoons in my amateur days, but the situation was the same for most of the players so we just had to get on with it. Three or four poor holes in the first round ultimately cost me; I was one under par in round two even after a double and a triple bogey.
I putted a lot better during the previous week and, with 11 birdies in two rounds, there was a lot to be encouraged about despite missing the cut after a few loose tee shots. I hardly need any more incentive to piece things together over the next few days.
• Lloyd Saltman is sponsored by life and pensions group Aegon UK.
The full article contains 557 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
