Jet lag, lost luggage and biblical storms

The long trip back to work after three weeks off began at lunchtime on Saturday. A midday flight from Dublin to Beijing and then onto Taipei was a long day! 

I had a nearly strange feeling walking in the door of Dublin airport. Having not been at an airport in three weeks it felt a little different. 

It is amazing how quickly you can get used to a different routine. I was busy at home for the few weeks catching up on some stuff you need to when away from home so much. Always nice also to switch off a bit from the work environment. 

I arrived to the hotel here on site at the golf course at lunchtime on Sunday. The time difference is very different here - seven hours ahead of home and takes a bit of adjustment. 

The forecast for early in the week had been awful as seen for over a week in advance. Reality dawned on Monday morning with biblical conditions as some kind of storm rolled through. 

With more horrendous weather in the forecast right up to Thursday, it is already likely this event will struggle to complete 72 holes and there is a strong chance we might get to complete only 36. 

Nothing anyone can do about the weather so we all have to sit and wait and see how it all plays out. The hotel is at least on site here but there is not a huge amount to do in the area. Such a shame for a good event on a decent golf course. 

My luggage didn’t arrive either so that is always a pure joy! Thankfully it has just arrived at the hotel 24 hours later so it will be nice to change out of the travel clothes and actually get back to feeling normal. 

In the golf world elsewhere it was great to see Tommy Fleetwood win again. What a season he is having and in particular since his first win in America on the PGA Tour. 

Shane Lowry had a great week also with a top-three finish and only four shots back of Fleetwood. 

India was a new experience for a lot of the top guys who went to play in that event. Money talks and it is easy to go there if the price is right. It is reputed that McIlroy got $3 million just to turn up and Lowry possibly something in the region of 20% of that. Nice work if you can get it. Fuel up the private jet and off you go! 

I am away now for a period of one month as a week off next week and then China the week after makes no sense to fly home for five days. This part of the world with the travel and jet lag is too far away to be skipping home for an off week. 

Only four events left now in the 2025 season but still lots to play for and the final event of the season at tour school in America with the chance for Cara to get her LPGA card and status for the 2026 season. Lots to focus on and hopefully plenty to achieve.