Just woke up in Dubai and looking back at last week. I learnt a lot. The last two weeks has been very similar. I start good (not feeling and playing great but scoring well) and then I overanalyze my game and tire myself out mentally for the next three days and finish not so good. 

– My goal last week was to keep a good attitude throughout the whole week. I managed to do so the first day but not the last three. I didn’t play in the present. I was looking ahead and thinking of how I want to be playing and that the way I play now isn’t good enough. Although, my shots weren’t great I could’ve still played good if I just focused on the shot ahead. Not the year ahead or the next few years ahead. I’m a pro at putting pressure on myself and trying to overwork myself. I think it helps me sometimes but hurts me as well. 

– The more I struggle with getting out of my own way, the more I understand that if my short game was a little sharper, I still would score well because my long game isn’t as bad as I make it to be. Looking at the last day in Qatar, I had so many chances and didn’t convert many at all. A few up-and-downs early on would make me have momentum throuhgout the round and just cruise a little bit more mentally. Not beating myself up and put even more pressure on the long game. 

– I was really happy with watching Robert Karlsson come down the 18 with a two-shot lead. I thought to myself, if there was somebody else with that lead I might have been nervous watching them but not Robert. He is rock solid and so mentally sharp and focused so I knew he would hit it in the middle of the fairway and finish of with a birdie to seal the deal. I played the two first rounds with Robert in the Royal Trophy and I was amazed by his focus on and off the course. He was very detailed and wants to have control of the situation on the course. I’m a little different. If I feel that my game is on, I tend to let go a lot and just play. Maybe learning from him would make me play a little better when I’m not at my best. Worth thinking about, who knows. 

– It’s also amazing how much I love this game. I finished the round early yesterday around lunch time so I hade a lot of time before the flight. Jetski, gym and relaxing. Today, my plan was to have a off day and just hang out and re-fuel my body. When I played yesterday, I was looking forward to have some time off. Now, all I want to do is get out there and practice. Not that I want to redem myself, just becasue I love it. So, feeling that makes me really happy. 

When I read the comments before I saw that some of you guys wanted to have a little preview of the course set-up, my game, other players’ games and so on before the tournament starts so I’m gonna try to do that. My brother is coming as well so he will take care of the camera and hopefully get you guys updated with some fun stuff. 

Time to a non-golfing thing….See if I can stay away. Looking good so far.

Take care!

alex