My preparation this time has been the best
SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND: Fifth time at the Open and I feel that this is the most prepared I have been for any Open Championships. Every which way — experience wise, having played at the highest levels in the US and coming here well ahead of the Open, the state of mind and my game.
In the last few months, I’ve taken it easy and trying to enjoy my golf. I’m playing better. Earlier, I was not very consistent. I was not able to string together four good rounds and therefore, putting a lot of pressure on myself.
Now after some breaks and getting back to meditation, I am feeling perfect and my confidence is good. I feel like I’m up for it right now.
Much as the entire field is ready for the Open at the Royal Birkdale, the weather could be one of the most important factors this week. As all followers of links golf know, it is something that will play a major role in how the Open turns out to be.
One will never know which is the good side of the draw — morning or afternoon, just as we don’t know when it will rain or when the winds are up. If it is wet, cold and windy and it catches you in your half, it will be a challenge. That is something that can never be predicted. It is a question to which none of us have an answer.
Game wise, all is in place. Having played last week will definitely help once the conditions start changing.
As for preparation, despite having missed the first two Majors, I was keeping an eye on where my world ranking was. I was doing my own research to see how far it has gone down the list. Yet, I was quietly confident. So even a month back, I was mentally prepared to play this week.
Royal Lytham, Royal Liverpool, St. Andrews and Royal Troon are the ones I have played in my four previous Opens. All of them had their own significance. Now after having seen Royal Birkdale, I think it is one of the best tracks, on which I’ve played.
Come Thursday and we will be off and I am ready for a good week. It is nice to have Shiv (Kapur) around. We met up and it was nice. He is playing the best golf of his life and together if we do well, we could make an impact. That will be awesome for Indian golf when all eyes will be on Birkdale.