FIRST PERSON

Inside the ropes with Robert Rock

By Robert Rock,
Special for WorldGolf.com

Like most golf fans I was glued to the TV over the weekend watching The Masters.

Golf pro or not, it's still an enthralling spectacle to watch, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I was really glad to see Phil Mickelson win - especially after the magnificent back nine on the final day. He deserved it for that alone.

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Phil's rid of the 'choker' tag that some members of the media put on him. It was unfair. Everybody knew he was one of the world's best players - he just didn't have a major to show for it.

Now he's got one. I expect him to add a few more to his trophy cabinet.

Like all professional golfers, I'd love to play in The Masters one day -- but it's a long way off yet. They tend not to offer places to people who come last in the Algarve!

Mind you, if I could finish in the top five in the Open at Troon, I'd qualify.

Now there's a target!

What was good to see from our point of view, this side of the Atlantic, was the impressive performances of two young Englishmen: Justin Rose and Paul Casey.

They created quite a stir and they'll certainly go on to figure at the top of the leaderboard at quite a few majors in the future.

Back on the European Tour, we're in Spain this week for the Open de Sevilla at Real Club de Golf de Sevilla.

I flew into Seville on Tuesday and drove straight to the Jose Maria Olazabal-designed course to get in some practice. However, I was late and managed to grab only the last tee time of the day, at 4.30 p.m.

As I make these notes I'm waiting on the ninth tee for the group in front to clear. I'm looking to drive the green - it's only a 499-meter par 5. Seriously, I'm really enjoying myself out here.

A practice round isn't just practising hitting a ball - it means working out specific yardages and specific shots.

The first eight holes were very easy today - I hope those words don't come back to haunt me.

I do believe it should be quite a low-scoring week though - it seems quite an easy course.

I've been practising until my arms ached following my last place in the Algarve, paying special attention to my long irons and fairway woods.

I'm trying to hit the ball a little higher and with a little drawn flight. I've had a little bit of a fade creeping in during the last few rounds.

Ironically my putting is still fine - and I'm delighted with that given that it was my Achilles' heel previously.

I'm drawn with my good friend Steve Webster and Warren Bennett. Steve's having a good year and I've never played with him in tournament conditions before.

So it should be good fun whatever happens.

My first target is to start scoring in the 60s again. I've broken par but with 70s and 71s. To earn some decent money I'm going to have to start scoring in the 60s.

Here's one for the stattos out there - Miguel Angel Jimenez is in the field this week and he's already won twice on the Tour this year.

If he wins in Seville it will be the first time in his career he's won three European titles in a season.

But I'll be out to stop him.

Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.