Rock takes you inside the ropes
By 
Englishman Robert Rock is looking to make the breakthrough on the European Tour this year, and he has agreed to pen a weekly diary exclusively for our readers as he plays his way around the tournaments. After some late birdies sent him home early in Dubai, he made the cut at the Qatar Masters and finished at 1-over-par 289 at the Doha Golf Club, good for 77th place.
It was the first occasion I had been in a field with Tiger Woods, which is a little daunting, with all the extra media attention that brings.
But I was doing alright and had hopes of joining Tiger -- and Ernie Els -- in the draw for Saturday's third round.
I teed off with Gordon Brand Jr. and Joakim Haeggman and posted a level par score in the first round -- eight behind the overnight leader Bradley Dredge -- but in the second I was one-over -- and there were some decent scores being posted elsewhere.
It all came down to two guys who birdied the 18th late on. There were a few of us at plus-1 who went out to watch them come in. We knew if they parred we'd be OK as the cut was scheduled at 1-over.
But their birdies changed all that, and the cut was made at level par.
I fell down on the 17th, where I bogeyed. If I'd played to my strengths I should really have gone for it as the hole is a driveable par-4. But I attempted to play safe and ended up three-putting.
Joakim was the only one of our trio to make the cut, after he posted two rounds of 70 to finish the second day 4-under.
Jarrod Moseley, Ignacio Garrido and Pierre Fulke were among eight other players who were 1-over for the first two rounds as I was. And some well-known names failed to make the cut as well, so we weren't alone in being disappointed. Sandy Lyle, Miguel Angel Jiminez, Darren Clarke, Thomas Bjorn and Ian Woosnam were among the big names to dip out.
My putting has been letting me down recently so I've been working really hard on improving it with Dr Paul Hurrion, a biomechanics consultant for The Centre for Sport and Exercise Science at Sheffield Hallam University.
I really believe if I can become an average Tour putter, I will make the breakthrough on the European Tour and win a few events as I've been reasonably happy with my performance from tee to green.
Mark O'Meara won the event -- his first success on the PGA European Tour for six years -- by one shot from Paul McGinley.
The course was magnificent though. The Emirates Club was the first all-grass championship golf course in the Gulf region when it opened in 1988. It's the best course we've played on so far this year.
The greens are immaculate and it's amazing they manage to keep the course in such excellent condition given the weather. It was tolerably warm in Dubai, whereas the heat was almost unbearable in Malaysia previously.
There were two real high points for me, however. On Friday morning I was on the practice ground next to Tiger. There's a definite aura about the guy and there were an awful lot of people who were crowding round just to watch him practice -- players and caddies as well as fans.
I was pleased that all the attention didn't put me off my practice though.
Here's hoping it won't be the only time I find myself next to him.
The other high point for me was that my girlfriend Lynda was out with me. So with two days spare I had a lot of time to spend with her -- in between working on my putting obviously.
It's nice to have her out with me. As a golfer you spend a lot of time away from home. And with two tournaments so close together and so far from the UK, I have to stay out here.
There's a lot of time to kill between the end of the second round on a Friday and the start of the first round the following Thursday. Having Lynda with me cushioned the blow.
Also From Robert Rock Series:
- Rock rubs elbows with golf's big guns at Scottish Open
- Rock stays busy during hectic week on tour
- Rock heads back to the practice tee
- Rock follows advice, hopes good fortune awaits
- Wentworth recap gets best of Rock
- Belly putters' controversy is the talk of the town
- A few lessons still can't help Rock's game
- British Masters next up for pro Robert Rock
- Rock feeling good heading into Telecom Italia Open
- Seville Open good to Robert Rock
- Robert Rock's putting starting to come around
- Inside the ropes with Robert Rock
- Rock struggles at Algarve Open de Portugal
- Taking a week off proves to be best
- Qatar Masters could be a start for Robert Rock
- Rock takes you inside the ropes
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Rab Phillips wrote on: Oct 18, 2009
What a great final round. Believe it or not I dreamt last night you shot 8under to finish 14under. Scary. Roll on Dubai.
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Matt Read wrote on: Sep 21, 2009
Robert, it is so nice to see you playing well. It has been nearly 15 years since we played together at Georgia State University and I just thought I would drop a line. I am married with 3 children (Sam...8, Ella...6, and Noah...3), so I do not get to play too much anymore....weekend hacker. Anyways, glad to see you are married with a child and doing what you always said you wanted to do. If you get some time Rob, drop me a line.
Best of Luck!!!
Your old college mate,
Matt Read
Niagara Falls, Canada
P: 905 688 1017
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Birgit Schermer wrote on: Sep 13, 2009
Hi,greetings for you, from the girl in Köln, I hope do you now?? And Good Luck for today!! Sorry my English ist not the best :-)
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S wrote on: Sep 20, 2009
Of course he doesn't... do you really expect him to???
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dutch fans wrote on: Aug 21, 2009
What a shame you missed the cut today. It was a pleasure to meet you. We will expect you next year in Hilversum
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Stephen Graham wrote on: May 20, 2009
Robert,
Padraig Harrington had a string of 2nd places before he came crashing through. It's great though to see you contesting right up there at the top. Don't stop being aggressive with your game as it is definitely good enough to win, just keep believing.
Steve
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sean o braoin wrote on: May 19, 2009
Hard luck in Baltray if it was not Shane Lowry you would have got the cheers,I was a marshall Thur and Fri your ball landed beside me on both days,and you were very pleasent and courtious to me, I will be shouting for you in the future.Remember you also beat major and order of merit winners.Keep up the good work.
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John Sutcliffe wrote on: May 18, 2009
Having followed your career from your good performance in the Open some years ago we were disappointed for you last week and then again this week. As the commentators on SKY said one you get one win you will get more. Wayne Riley seems to a fan.
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Gerry Morrissey wrote on: May 18, 2009
I would also like to add my congratulations and condolences on yesterday's result. Although I was thrilled for Shane Lowry, I realise it must have been a difficult and at times lonely experience for you yesterday. You carried yourself with great dignity and good humour and contributed hugely to a memorable occassion. Its a shame that the excitement at the end prevented you a more appropraite exit. I will be cheering for you from now on.
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hugh hourican wrote on: May 18, 2009
had the pleasure of playing with robert in oceanico oconnor course i think i was the only irish person shouting i had you bkd e/way regards hugh
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Michael Kelly wrote on: May 18, 2009
Many congratulations on your wonderful performance yesterday and despite the fact you lost the play off you contributed to a hugely entertaining spectacle which brought back memories of the Irish Open as it once was. Your guts and determination in the play off marks you out as someone whose turn will come in the very near future. The way you performed in an athmosphere where every last man woman and child in Baltray were backing Shane Lowry was incredible. You can build from this and we all look forward to seeing you back in Ireland next year. Well done.
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Ian Marples wrote on: May 18, 2009
Rob
All the family were watching the golf yesterday afternoon, it was great to see you doing so well.
Unlucky with this one but your time is going to come. I know you will have wanted the win but the money will make a big difference for your long-term career.
Good luck - my Dad sends his best wishes too.
Ian & Jacky.
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d o brien wrote on: May 18, 2009
Despite being an Irish golfer my heart went out to you yesterday in the Irish open. I feel it would have boosted your world rankings and had more of an impact on your professional career. Shane still has plenty of time on his side. Hard luck.
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Robert Haymes wrote on: May 17, 2009
Great Golf at the Irish Open Robert, keep it up a win must surely be just round the corner.
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Graham Lett wrote on: May 4, 2009
As someone who was sold his first set of clubs by Robert when he was at the Belfry,and saw his progression through Swingers in Lichfield,I have watched his progress mainly via the internet ever since.I was also a member at Aston Wood and remember him playing there with friends.He is such a frustrating lad to support,because his putting is not all that it should be,but now living in the south .of France,I keep hoping that he will send me cheering round the living room when he finally does what he deserves to and wins a Tour event.From one of his furthest flung supporters,keep at it Robert and all the best for the rest of the season.
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Brian Yoe wrote on: Apr 28, 2008
Robert,
It's Brian your old roommate from Georgia State. I've seen you on the Golf Channel a few times recently. Drop me an e-mail.
Brian
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