It was a great start to the season in Abu Dhabi, obviously after six weeks at home and not really getting to hit many golf balls I didn’t really know what to expect. I got off to a great start shooting 66 in the first round and from there it was really solid golf – four rounds in the 60’s and to get myself into contention in the first week playing again was a big positive. I felt I could have done a little more to try and win it but the guys got off to such a fast start on Sunday and I didn’t – I left it a little late and finished well. After I’d finished I reckoned I couldn’t really have done any better shooting nineteen under par on a tough golf course like that but it was a great start to the year and hopefully there’ll be plenty more of that in the coming weeks.

I’ve spent the last week in Dubai doing various things and one of them was playing in the Saadiyat Beach Classic which was the opening of the new Gary Player course in Abu Dhabi. It’s a seriously good golf course – very much links style in Abu Dhabi which is excellent and definitely worth a visit. We played a Pro-Am on the Thursday and then had a dinner on the Thursday night which included an auction for charity and in that auction I bought myself a nine day holiday! This holiday will be totally awesome – it’s three days in the Maldives, three days in Phuket and then three days in the Golden Triangle in Thailand so that’s given me something to look forward to and I’ll probably take it in October when I’ve got three weeks off.

I also played in the Al Naboodah Pro-Am at Dubai Creek Golf Course which was good fun and a load of the guys showed up to play including Darren, Lee, Sergio and a whole host of the European Tour pros.

Other than that I’ve just been doing a bit of chilling out but managed to fit in nine holes at the Emirates yesterday. The golf course is set up really well and very similar to the way it was last year and it certainly feels great to be back here as I’ve got such good memories from last year. I’m really looking forward to getting started in the tournament and to going out, playing my best and trying and win it like I always do.

On Saturday myself and Stuart Cage (from ISM) spent some time on the beach which was extremely pleasant, but the reason I’m not playing golf today is that I have a touch of sunburn on my chest! I couldn’t believe it – we were only out there for about an hour and now I’m a bit red and raw – and I did put sunscreen on but obviously it wasn’t strong enough. So I’m going to give myself a day off today and just take it easy.

I went to see the new movie Avatar which was really cool, the 3D stuff really makes you think that you can reach out and touch it! Have to say though it was a bit long – about three hours – and the last half hour seemed a long half hour!

Manchester United have had a good run recently beating Manchester City in the Carling Cup and then Arsenal last night so I’m very pleased about that.

I’m also looking forward to the start of the Six Nations next week – Ireland play against Italy on the 6th Feb so Rugby Mania will be starting in Ireland as it always does at this time of year.

Curiously I’m back at 9th in the World Rankings because I didn’t play last week – I think it’s great that you can take a week off and move up two spots! So hopefully I’ll move up again after this week of playing.

Mum and Dad have arrived now and we are all staying at the Burj Al Arab hotel which is totally spectacular. I’ve got the most awesome suite which is on two floors so I’m really enjoying the time that I’m not on the golf course. It’s a really special place – it looks stunning from the outside but inside is something else!

Right, that’s all from me this week and I’ll be reporting in again after Dubai.

Bye for now, Rory.