Tour rolls on with careers on the line..

THE European Tour returns in a much quieter form in Austria this week.

This was the shot clock Masters a couple of years ago – it’s now a dual event with the Challenge Tour. And the clock is ticking on some careers.

Timing in life is key. It’s a chance for players just to get back playing and hopefully earn some points to get them back on the loop.

The prize fund is modest and a sign of the times, but golf is all about weeks and the next two are wonderful opportunities to restart a season.

It’s also a start for Irish players

Gavin Moynihan and Niall Kearney who have essentially been unemployed. I really worry for the future for some of our emerging players. They almost have no choice but to keep going.

Team Ireland has done a great job in helping our young golf stars trying to make their way to the bright lights.

Perspective can be a great thing for sportspeople. The last few months should certainly have helped to let them know how privileged they are to be living out a sporting dream.

Only the toughest will survive.

GOLF is a game that forever fascinates me.

I played last Monday at Seapoint Golf Club in the new Flogas Irish Scratch Series. It was my second game since the end of February.

But, most importantly, I had a card in my pocket and the devil at the end of the pencil!

Sure it is only a fun game and out with friends, what could possibly go wrong?

My problem is that I don’t practise any more, not for 8 years – and I only play for exercise, really – but you still think that you can do it.

Some days it’s decent but nine

times out of 10, I leave the depressed. I get little enjoyment from the game anymore. I try over every shot and still expect to hit it perfectly, but it nearly always leaves me despondent.

I never felt like this when I played. I play nowadays riddled with fear. I can still hit good shots, but my execution is void of the control that I once thought was normal.

So it manifests itself in ‘don’t do it, what if ?’.

It’s easy to say, ‘go practise’. But I can’t because I’ll enjoy that even less! A worn out hip doesn’t help either.

But the mad thing is that I want to go and do it again next week. The Flogas Irish Scratch Series is full of young hungry players all trying to get better. I think I can still beat them, but I can’t really.

So when logic tells you something and you still try and defy that, there must be something wrong.

But there’s nothing wrong – it’s just the game.

It takes us on an emotional rollercourse

I’m trying to fall in love with playing

again..

coaster from start to finish. It’s the delusion that brings us back out every time.

I’m trying to fall in love with playing again because I want to. The knocks are hard to take. Maybe it is like supporting your team, when that sliver of joy comes your way you forget about the pain.

I will take the pain again next week just to try find that sliver of joy. Perhaps another good walk spoiled.

THE imminent postponement of the Ryder Cup was probably the worst kept secret until Nick Faldo blurted it out last week. He was stating that the Americans probably have a big advantage this year going to Whistling Straits. That’s true because their team does seem to be gelling well.

The same can’t be said for some European players – they don’t even have a Tour to play on right now.

The rumour is that the DDF Irish Open might get that Ryder Cup week slot but a venue has yet to be decided.

It does seem odd that Mount Julliet is not confirmed, but maybe the commercial realities of no crowds or corporate hospitality is why a venue is still up in the air. Watch this space.