Inside the ropes with Robert Rock
By 
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.
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.
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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Chris Jones wrote on: Aug 9, 2009
Hi, Robert
my wife and i enjoy watching the European tour on the golf channel here in Canada, we take a special interest when you are playing as my wife Geraldine (nee Perkin) was born in Armitage and lived in greenfield avenue until we married, we then lived in Handsacre until we moved to Canada.
Best of luck in the future (Ryder cup maybe)
Chris Jones, Ontario Canada
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Sean Rickard wrote on: May 18, 2009
Congratulations,Robert, on your terrific performance in the 3 Irish Open.Not only did you cope admirably with the terrible conditions,an opponent who would not go away and a vociferous home crowd but you also did it with good grace and sportsmanship. I'm an Irish golf fan and wanted a home victory,but part of me wanted your performance to receive its just rewards.I'll be following your progress in future tournaments,your first victory shouldn't be far away.Good luck.
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Keith Askey wrote on: May 18, 2009
Excellent result at the Irish for you keep plugging away and you will get that Master call-up. I scored for one of your rounds at the Abu Dhabi Open this year and had a great time. turn those pars into birdies and see you next year in AD.
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Leon van Beers wrote on: Sep 7, 2007
Hello Robert,
Last year I saw you playing for the first time at the Dutch open. Since then I follow your game and results on the internet, because of the fact that I like you style of playing(technic, agressive) and your kind-hearted come over.
What a coincidence. A few weeks ago at the KLM open in Holland we where looking at your flight on friday on the par 5, 7e hole. Your second shot ended on the rightsite in the heavy ruff. You could not find your ball and your caddy asked the audience for help.
Together with a fiend we came over(of course) and how fortune, we found your ball(callaway 4). You had to take a penalty and ended with a "good" bogey. Maybe we helped you to go on in the weekend. For a "fan" very special and we regularity think back to that moment.
The last two weeks where not very succesfull, but I hope you will play on with confidence and that you will find stability in your game. I realy hope you keep your card for next year and see you again at the Dutch open(I am not in the position to visit tournaments in other country's).
Good luck,
Leon van Beers
Ravenstein
The Netherlands
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Andy Pye wrote on: Jan 8, 2009
Hey old mucker give me an e-mail if you get this!
Pyeman x
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