Blog
Bella Italia
Arrived in Italy Monday pm after an amazing week in London. The scoring is not quite there yet but my game is in really good shape. I feel like I’m just missing these little things that would keep the momentum going during the round and that’s what prevented me to shoot a low one at Wentworth. Although lots of positives to take out of last week... My first BMW PGA!
Moving on, such a pleasure to be back in this lovely country. The food, the scenery, the people and the weather... just nothing to complain about!
As far as the course is concerned, it is my first time playing it. We were expecting some average course conditions as we received an email a few weeks ago from the tour telling us that a few parts of the course weren’t in great shape... in this respect, I think the Greenkeepers have done an amazing job getting this course on point for the week: Fairways, greens and bunkers were in perfect conditions. Moreover, with all the rain that has fallen the previous nights, the thick rough should be even heavier and wetter than earlier this week! Gardagolf Country Club definitely has some challenging holes and the key this week will be to avoid these heavy lies in the rough.
Off at 2.10pm today with my good old friend Marc Warren. I think that I’ve been paired with him at least 10 times during the past 12 months. Looking forward to start this Italian Open!
From the BKO to the PGA
Back to London again after an amazing week in Belgium! As most of you might have heard, the Belgian Knock Out was a complete success! Lots of crowds, great weather, a fantastic and challenging golf course, and some great golf. The perfect mix for a successful week. My game was on point on those first two stroke play days, shooting 4 and 2 under respectively and finishing 3rd in the qualifying part! On the other side, Saturday morning was a bit tougher and I lost my first 9-hole match against Laurie Canter unfortunately. Anyways, it’s been a successful week and a good confidence booster for these next two upcoming Rolex Series events!
As far as this week is concerned, I arrived Monday evening in London driving from Brussels. Really easy journey by putting the car on the EuroTunnel train!
Everyone is here this week, Mich and Jérome who helped me out getting my game ready by fine tuning every aspect of the game. Also Vinny, Lance and some family members are coming over to witness and enjoy the beauty of Wentworth and its surroundings!
Not much to say about the West course here at Wentworth... Long holes, firm and fast greens, thick rough, narrow and a beautiful layout. This is simply one of the best course we play all year long!
I love this place and I can’t wait to make the the most out of it!
Off at 11.35 tomorrow with two Frenchies! It will be fun!
18 Years Later...
It’s BKO week! 18 years since the last Belgian Open, so couldn’t be more excited to start the week here on my home soil. This event is going to be a success, I’m sure! The course is in an immaculate condition, the weather forecast has been good and the organization is on point!
To some extent, I think this event is a good preparation for next week as well. The surroundings here look very similar to South-West London where Wentworth is. Big high trees, bushes and narrow tee-shots with small greens. Fairways and greens will definitely be key again this week!
Furthermore, interesting format for this tourney too which should bring a lot of excitement for the weekend! I’m sure you guys are familiar with the format by now. Come support us and bring some Belgian colors!
Volvo China Open
Short week ahead here in Beijing! Landed late Tuesday afternoon in China after a long journey from Rabat through Istanbul, but I made it safe and sound and I’m ready for another solid week before heading back home.
As far as this week is concerned, it is my second time at the Topwin Golf & Country Club. I Played the golf course today during the pro-am and it’s in great conditions. As a matter of fact, it’s a completely different course than what we played in Morocco. No more narrow tree lines and small greens, but large boulevards with massive greens and no rough. There are obviously a few tricky holes, especially on the front nine, where we’ll have to be careful but otherwise, it’s “smash time” with the driver! Last but not least, haven’t done much these last two days as I’m trying to save my energy for these next four days, the jet lag and travelling was definitely felt today.
Off at 12.40 tomorrow with two Chinese’s! Let’s go low!
PS: Excited for the fun activity of the week on Friday where we’ll go to the Chinese Wall. The Wall is only 10 minutes away from the hotel and we can see it from the golf course. Pretty unique!!
From Moroccan Tajine to Chinese Dumplings
Top 20 in Rabat, a few points on the board and positive vibes going into China. This course has been a challenge last week with swirling wind, narrow fairways and very tough greens requiring some surgical precision off the tee, to the greens and around them as well. I knew starting the week that anything under par would be a decent finish... A solid 68 to end the week on a good note was what I needed after a rough Saturday.
Moving on, so happy for my friend Alex Levy who deserved that victory. He has been so solid and dealt with his emotion amazingly well. Fun to watch and a example for the future! We celebrated that victory last night around a casual dinner with the Frenchies and a celebratory breakfast this morning.
Off to China today! A long journey awaits us where I’ll be landing in Beijing Tuesday afternoon. Moreover, the plan is to rest Tuesday night and I’m playing the pro am Wednesday afternoon. Looking forward to that final event far away from home on a fun golf that oversees the Chinese Wall.
China I’m coming for you!
Rabat in the Sunshine
Trophée Hassan II this week in beautiful Morocco! My second time playing this course already and some very good vibes! It’s nice to finally play in some sunny and warm weather after a cold Spanish week. Obviously as you all know, very disappointed with last week’s performance but everything happens for a reason, right? We definitely took advantage of this time to work on the parts of my game that were a bit rusty after the 6 week break. Got some great workouts in and fine-tuned the rest of the game with Jérôme here in Morocco.
Furthermore, the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam is an absolute gem inside the walls of the royal Palace. Literally no one has played the course for the last 9 months. As a matter of fact, we were out early on Monday for a practice round and not a single divot could be found. Just pureness! Funny but true... told Ryan, my caddy, to make sure he replaced every divot that day because if one wasn’t replaced Greenkeepers would know who it is...
Last but not least, the recent course redesign will make this course even tougher. Greens are now extremely slopy and firm which, on top of the long and tricky course layout with thick rough, should keep low scoring away. Anything around par these next two days and you will be in the hunt for the weekend!
7.50am tee time tomorrow! Weather is perfect and greens are pure so let’s get the birdie fest starting in Rabat.
Open de España Update
A cold and breezy first day on the links yesterday! It was 4 degrees Celsius yesterday morning.... can you believe it ?!? A 1-under par round 71 to start... lots of positives but so much to improve on. Especially scoring shots such as short irons and wedges. As a matter of fact, I made too many clumsy mistakes that were pretty costly.
Furthermore, my game feels really good off the tee and on the greens. A few more holed putts and a bit sharper with my shots into the greens and we’ve got a low one coming!
Forecast for today is good with no wind and some warmer temperatures. Let’s get the birdie fest going!
Back At It
Hello world!
After a quiet six weeks, it is finally time to get back into action; Madrid, Morocco and China is on the schedule for these next three weeks! This break has been long but we’ve decided with the team to use this time to rest and prepare for the ultra-busy next few months ahead of us. As a matter of fact, I took advantage of this break to go visit my friends, old teammates and college coach in the USA. I also spent a week in Orlando along with Alex Levy where we practiced and played in sunny Florida on some fantastic golf courses and facilities.
Last but not least, I visited Nico (Colsaerts) in Southern France where we practiced with Mich for three days... Short but productive!
Moreover, very excited to be in Madrid and see what this course looks like. It seems like the weather isn’t really cooperating in Madrid with rain, cold temperatures and wind... Should be interesting!
Stay tuned for more on this week. The next three weeks will be exciting.
Last Desert Swing
Hello golf fans! Here is a little update on what happened last week in Oman and what’s coming up this week in Doha!
As far as last week is concerned, it was nice to go back to Muscat which brought up some memories as well... ‘My European Tour Card through the Challenge Tour top 15!” As a matter of fact, the course is an absolute gem. A few of us knew the course already, but most of the older guys who played it for the first time were absolutely stunned! Amazing greens, solid bunkering, fairly long with some risk-reward options and last but not least beautiful views. As far as my result is concerned, it was a mixed feeling considering my extremely soar neck Thursday morning. I thought I wasn’t going to be able to play that morning. Luckily enough, the physios were able to loosen it up a bit and release the pain. Furthermore, obviously a bit disappointed with my Saturday finish that sort of put me out of the tournament but still a top 30 and a few points for the ranking!
Moving on, I arrived Monday midday in Doha. I took it easy yesterday and played 18 today. Definitely expecting some high winds out here as it blows pretty much everyday between 15 and 25 mph on average. On top of that, the course is in great condition with firm greens and thick Bermuda rough. It should be a great test. Excited for Thursday morning already!
Home Bound
On my way Back home after a positive four weeks. Obviously a bit disappointed of not having had any "hot Sundays"... because that's what you need to win or pull out a top-3. On the other hand, lots of positives and learning experiences to take out of this! The new-caddy decision has been successful and I haven't been outside the top 25 in the first four biggest events of the year (including Hong Kong).
Home for a week now where I'll be taking a few days off of golf, catch up with friends and family and take care of some administrative things. Also, I'll spend some time later during the week with Mich to work on driving and with Jerome as well to make sure that putting stroke stays solid!
Next events are Oman in ten days already followed by The Qatar Masters. Two courses I've already played and know pretty well! Should be fun!
