October 2001

Tuesday October 2 - On the Way to Virginia
We were up early this morning 4.45am, for the flight leaving at 7.00am. The plane was not that empty, so perhaps people are trying to get back to normal again. We have a huge room this week with a view over the river and a nice kitchen. It's so nice to be able to cook 'at home' for a change. This resort is big but we are still only walking distance from the course and gym. Great! After practicing my long game I spent some time on my chipping. Once again we are in the land of Bermuda rough and it was my chipping that let me down last week. Jill was planning on going to the grocery store so that we can both cook this week rather than go out each night. After so many meals this year in restaurants the prospect of home cooking is very appealing. The competition winner for September was Patrick Lidstrom from Sweden. Congratulations Patrick - One of my Tour hats is on the way. The new questions are now posted for October…good luck. Speak to you tomorrow after I have played the course…Bye for now…Per

Wednesday October 3 - The Michelob Championship at Kingsmill
The tee times are out. I am first off on Thursday afternoon at 12 pm with Donnie Hammond and Mike Sposa. We are playing from the first. On Friday we will be up early for our 0715a.m. tee time from the 10th. The tournament has a SPA day today for the wives (and fiancees!) between 9.00-1.00. Nice for some! Talk to you tomorrow! Per

Wednesday October 3 - The Michelob Championship
I had a long practice day today and particularly had some fun with drivers. I think I must have experimented with about 10! The guys in the Callaway truck are amazing at making clubs and they mad up a number especially for me to try with slightly different flexs in the shaft and with different lofts. After several hours I found the one that I felt comfortable with and may even put it in the bag tomorrow. You may think it is strange to be doing this the day before teeing off but it is quite normal for Tour pros. We all get spoilt out here by our sponsor companies and I am fortunate and I appreciate it. Callaway have been fantastic to me since I joined them in March and the guys in the truck know that I like to tinker with my clubs and they all have the patience of a saint! No practice on the course today because of the pro-am, so it was a good day to practice and then head to the gym with Jill. She had a great time at the SPA with the other girls. The event here has really made everyone feel so welcome. I am ready for Thursday and enjoying this week in Colonial Williamsburg. Hopefully we will have the chance to go into the town in the next couple of days to check it out. However, this resort is so nice it's tough to leave!...Off to dinner now ....Bye, Per

Thursday October 4 - Michelob Championship at Kingsmill, 1st Round, 69 (-2)
Because I had a late tee time, we actually got to sleep in a little for the first time in a while. We then went to the gym and did some stretching and cardio work. I had an email from someone who was concerned that I was working out too much. Don't worry I only use weights on Mondays and Tuesdays during a tournament and then it is under the guidance of my fitness coach. It's about using the weight correctly rather than trying to bench press 300lbs. I played well again today and almost eagled two of the three par fives. It seemed like I was putting for birdie on almost every hole. Just a couple of blips on the 6th and the 16th where I hit my secong into the bermuda and couldn't get it up and down. It was great to birdie the last to finish at -2 and put myself in the top half of the field. Dinner was left overs tonight - don't you love that sometimes?. I am first off the 10th tee at 07.15 so we have to get up really early tomorrow. We had a record month in September - thank you all for coming to p-uj.com I appreciate it..Per

Friday October 5 - Michelob Championship,2nd Round, 70 (-1)
Once again I played well today. Starting from the 10th I made birdie and then bang - double bogey. I hit my second shot in to the greenside bunker and hit my third shot over the green. The bunker felt like a rock. Scoring was a little tougher today as the wind blew harder and the pins were a little tougher. After the double I got my mind back together and made birdie on 17, 1 and 3. I made an annoying bogey at the 8th but -3 is safe for the weekend,. I will now focus on playing well this weekend and moving up from around 35th position (I'm writing this before the second round has finished) After hitting some balls, Jill and I are planning to go to the outlet mall later today. Someone told us that they have good brands there - Polo, DKNY, etc - sounds like fun…speak to you Saturday..Per

Saturday October 6 - Michelob Championship, 3rd Round, 73 (+2)
When we got up this morning the weather was pretty nice at around 70 degrees. However about 10 minutes before I teed off a front swept through the area and the temperature dropped by 20 degrees and it was suddenly freezing! If you had the chance to look at the scoreboard you will have seen that the scoring was generally high today as we all shivered our way around. I played with Curtis Strange today and neither of us had a good day. Alongside the cold, the wind picked up bad and the greens were hard to read. I had such an up and down day and in 18 holes I made 6 pars! I also made five birdies at 2, 3, 7, 12 and 15. Unfortunately I also had 7 bogeys at 1, 4, 5, 10, 11, 13 and to cap it all off one at 18! After the round I headed to the range before planning to meet Jill at the SPA to sit in the sauna and try and warm up. We are then eating in tonight After the round Sunday we are leaving for Las Vegas for next weeks event. Jesper and Mia are already there with the family. Hopefully a better day Sunday and a move up the board.. Bye for now.. Per

Sunday October 7 - Michelob Championship, 4th Round, 74 (+3)
A disappointing final day shooting a 3 over par 74. With bogeys on 1, 5, 6 and 12 and only a solitary birdie on the 10th, today was not my day. This score pushed me back into a tie for 55th. However I have now moved through the $400,000 earnings mark for the year, although I dropped one spot in the money list to 115th. Things just didn't go my way to day. Straight after the round Jill and I rushed to the airport for a flight to Las Vegas for the next stop on my Tour card quest. We had a very enjoyable time in Kingsmill and highly recommend it if you're looking for a golfing break. The weekend was once again poor after my good start, but I'll keep plugging away in search of the final dollars to put me back in play for 2002. Viva Las Vegas!! Catch up with you there...Per

Monday October 8 - Las Vegas
This is going to be a busy week. With five rounds played over three courses there is going to be lots of running around. And that’s just for the practice rounds. We arrived safely and checked in to the huge Caeser's Palace hotel. Celine Dion's husband Renee has kindly arranged a terrific room for us. The event is played over the TPC Summerlin, Southern Highlands and the TPC at The Canyons and today I played two of these (after getting lost on the way!) before heading back to the hotel to meet Jill for dinner. There is certainly plenty of choice to eat here! The event starts on a Wednesday and is played as a pro am for three of the days, before we play our usual format on the weekend. It’s another big purse of $4.5 million so let's hope I can get my weekend play sorted out. Billy Andrade is defending his title. Catch up with you later …Per

Wednesday October 10 - Invensys Las Vegas International, 1st Round, 72 (+1)
The score doesn't reflect how well I played today.In very windy conditions I hit the ball so well except for one hole which proved very costly. Having made a couple of birdies going out I was still bogey free coming to the 15th. On the par 5 I hit my second shot left and we couldn't find it so I had to go back and hit another which ultimately led to an ugly seven on the card. And this on a hole I was looking to make a birdie. It was made doubly disappointing having left three birdie putts in a row one inch short. The greens are much slower at the Canyon course than the other courses. This is a three round cut so I have time to play my way in to the weekend...patience is a virtue! Last night we went to a fabulous show, The Cirque du Soleil. We went with Jesper, Mia and their kids and all of us loved it! The whole show is done in the water - it's amazing! We had an early start this morning and going down for breakfast at 5a.m. there were people still gambling - This city never sleeps! Hope to report a better score on Thursday...Bye for now....Per

Thursday October 11 - Invensys Las Vegas International, 2nd Round, 71 (-1)
It was a great day for golf, no wind and great pin positions. However I didn't make the most of the conditions and shot a one under 71. That puts me back to level for the event. Starting from the 10th I immediately made birdie and then another couple on 15 and 16. Only problem was a pair of bogeys surrounding the birdies on 14 and 17!. A quiet front nine with a bogey on 2 and a birdie on 9. A disappointing day really with so many chances up for grabs on the course. It's a 3 round cut so there is hope yet. I'll give it my best shot tomorrow. We are planning on having dinner with the Sluman's tonight….An early dinner and then an early start tomorrow and with wind forecast I need to post a good number to have a shot…Bye for now..Per

Friday October 11 - Invensys Las Vegas International, 3rd Round, 68 (-4)
Another early start today and a disappointing level par 72. I started from the 10th knowing I needed an exceptional round. A couple of bogeys on the way out did not help and with birdies on 3, 4, 9 and 18 it wasn't enough to be playing on the weekend. (A double on the 5th after a wait on the tee also didn't help!) This was always going to be a tough one with three different golf courses on which to practice and play in a short time frame. We are planning to stay here until Sunday anyway. I need to have two good days off. Travelling and playing golf every week gets to you after a while and it is very easy to get burned out. On Monday we will head to Florida and I am going to spend some time with David Leadbetter. I think that will help me get focussed with a swing thought or two for the last few events..Have a great weekend..Bye from Vegas..Per

Monday October 15 - We're going to DisneyWorld!
Actually, we are already in Orlando at DisneyWorld, having flown here last night from Vegas. This morning, I had a good session with David Leadbetter out at his new facility, Champions Gate. The event this week is being played over two courses, Magnolia and Palm. The final two rounds are over the Magnolia course where Payne Stewart holds the course record wth a 61. That will take some beating this week. We are staying on the Disney property and we hope to have the chance to visit at least one of the parks in some down time this week. I don't need to tell you this is another big week and I hope that a good finish will secure my card. The two day break in Vegas has done me a power of good - I don't think I really knew how tired I was until taking it easy for a few days and having the luxury of a sleep in. The hotel here has great facilities and as always we will make the most of the gym and the restaurants. I'll let you you know about the courses after my practice rounds. At least I can play on Wednesday this week. Because the event is another pro-am there is no special pro-am on Wednesday.(confused yet!) Off out to dinner..Bye for now..Per

Tuesday October 16 - DisneyWorld, Orlando
We are staying at a hotel right by the course this week. Jill and I worked out this morning and then following that I played one of the courses. The courses this week, Magnolia and Palm have been the venue for this event since 1971. The Magnolia has a hole, the sixth with a bunker shaped like Mickey Mouse's ears! Both are par 72 and the scoring is expected to be good. I worked on my putting with David so I hope a few disappear. We might visit one of the parks tonight as the tournament kindly gives us free passes...Speak to you later with the tee times..Per

Wednesday October 17 - National Rental Car Classic at Walt Disney Resort
That is the name of the event this week. It must be the longest in tournament history! Security is tight here this week. Everyone has to show ID to get in to the hotel and the golf course. Tiger is playing this week so that will make everyone even more nervous as he is a corporate spokesman for Disney. We went to a wonderful restaurant last night, The California Grill with great view over Disney from the 15th floor. The tee times are announced and I am playing with Tommy Tolles. Like me Tommy is a Q school graduate. He is a fine player and a really nice guy to play with. We will be partnered by 2 amateurs and then there will be a redraw after the first round. They certainly make some changes to the format at the end of the year on the PGA TOUR. We tee off on the Palm course from the 10th tee at 07.50. So, its another early start for Jill and I. Looking to have a solid start to a great week. You can check the scores on PGATOUR.com…Bye for now..Per

Thursday October 18 - National Rental Car Classic, 1st Round, 75 (+3)
We have just returned to the hotel after 18 uneven holes. Stating from the 10th I made 7 pars in a row before coming undone around the turn. I bogeyed 18 and then got it straight back with a birdie on the first. A bogey and then double on 2 and 3 were very depressing, although I made birdie on 4 to stem the damage. Another bogey on 6 and I had shot a disappointing 75. That's three over and in need of a great round on Friday. I'm really trying hard, but after playing nine events in a row I feel like I need a break. However, with only 2 events left after this one I do need to keep playing to guarantee my card. We are now going to try and have some fun at EPCOT. Who knows it may help me put today' s round behind me and reinvigorate me for Friday..I'll try! Jill leaves for New York tomorrow as she is meeting Mia Parnevik and some girlfriends up there to celebrate a birthday. Hopefully some better news to report to you ..Bye for now..Per

Friday October 19 - National Rental Car Classic, 2nd Round, 69 (-3)
Unfortunately another missed cut. But at least it was an encouraging round today, shooting 69. The cut for the event was an amazing -5 so after day one it was always going to be tough! I made a good start with a birdie at the first, but then gave it back on 3 and 4 with bogies. After that my game improved and I came back in 33 (-3) to shoot 69 and finish level par for the 36 holes. A few people will go by me in the Money List over the weekend and I will need to dig deep the last two events to ensure my card. I will now head back to Jupiter and relax this weekend. Nick, my manager is coming on Sunday to do some business things with me and then he and I will travel down to Atlanta for the Buick Challenge. Let's hope he brings me some birdies from England! Have a great weekend!..See you in Atlanta..Per

Thursday October 25 - Buick Challenge, Callaway Gardens, Georgia
We have had a late start to the day here in Pine Mountain in the middle of Georgia! Mia and Jill went to the grocery store this morning to get us set up with groceries - well it's only 45 minutes away!! It's a nice resort which looks great with the autumn leaves falling. I have had a busy few days in Jupiter in meetings with Nick and then travelling down to Atlanta. We flew down on Tuesday morning from West Palm. I had my nail clippers confiscated at security even though this is the 10th time I have flown since September 11th. There doesn't seem to be much consistency in the security from airport to airport and this was proof of it. I am teeing off in a couple of hours with Bradley Hughes and Steve Pate at 1.50pm. Prior to that I am working out with Rick and then off to the range. Jill and Nick are going to walk around to support me in this crucial event...I'll catch up with you after the round..Per

Thursday October 25 - Buick Challenge, 1st Round, 65 (-7)
A good day today and just what I needed with a couple of events to go. Starting from the first I made early progress with an eagle at the second. On a beautiful Georgia Autumn day the good play continued and I was out in 32, which is four under the card. The back nine also started well with a birdie on ten. My only bogey of the day came with a three putt on the 16th but I recovered with a birdie from ten feet on the 17th. Following the round we went round to Jesper and Mia's for dinner - they are staying in a villa nearby. Sergio Garcia also joined us for tomato soup and chicken and shrimp pasta...perfect after 5 hours on the golf course. We will have an early night tonight ready for an early alarm call in the morning. It was a great day today and I am in second place going into Friday. The forecast is calling for cold weather...Off to bed now..Per

Friday October 26 -Buick Challenge, 2nd Round, 70 (-2)
It was an early start on a chilly day today. I started from the 10th with a bogey but then got it straight back with a birdie on the par five 11th. My good play continued on a tricky day and I was out in three under. The wind was swirling about and this made scoring difficult. On my back nine the wind really got up and although I played well my score of 1 over was slightly disappointing. A nine under total puts me in great shape for the weekend and I hope to have my card won after the next 36 holes. We are running out of the door now for another dinner with the Parneviks...The weather forecast for Saturday is cold,cold, cold!! I'll wrap up well and report back..Bye for now..Per

Saturday October 27 - Buick Challenge, 3rd Round, 68 (-4)
Another really cold day in Georgia. Although the sun was out, it was chilly in the shade. I played very well again and shot 68. This moved me up to a tie for 5th and in with an outside chance tomorrow. I got off to a hot start with birdies on 2, 5 and 6. Although I hit the greens on 8 and 9 I three putted both and was out in one under. I continued to play well on the back nine and made a couple of great up and downs to make birdies on 10, 11, 13 and 18. Only one blemish on the back nine where I hit my tee shot into the right trees and was stuck with only a shot out sideways. It felt good out there and I played with Bob Estes who is a man on form at the moment. So, one more solid round on Sunday and I will earn my Tour card for 2002. I will just continue with the same swing thoughts David Leadbetter gave me last week and keep hitting one shot at a time and not get ahead of myself. Thanks for all the emails over the last couple of days and to those of you buying my hat...We plan on having dinner in our log cabin at the resort tonight, probably pasta and chicken. Catch up with you Sunday night..Bye for now..Per

Sunday October 28 - Buick Challenge, 4th Round, 69 (-3)
I made it!! On a cold Georgia day I shot 69 to finish in a tie for 7th place and earn a cheque for over $109,000. This moved me up to 97th in the money list and brings my total for the year to $510,488. It was a pressure filled day and in all honesty I didn't play as well Sunday as I have on the previous three days. But I worked hard and ground it out to break 70. For the first time all week I missed some fairways and that made the second shots tough from the Bermuda grass. An up and down front nine put me out in one under and with four holes to go I was still in that position. The 15th is a tough par 5 over the water and after hitting the fairway I hit one of my best shots of the year 230 yards over the water on to the green. Two putts later and I had moved up the board. Sixteen is a 210 yard par three and I missed the green by a foot and got up and down. The 17th is a par four which I birdied on days 1 and 2 but bogied on day 3. I nailed the drive and hit a wedge to six feet and made the putt to move up again. It was great coming to 18 knowing my card was safe and after holing a tricky 4 footer for par I knew my season had come to a positive end. I will not now play in Mississippi as I am safe for the year. After the round Ian Baker-Finch kindly offered Jill and I a lift back to West Palm on his private plane. So we packed up and here I am back at home and it feels great! I wanted to thank you all for your tremendous support this year. It has been fun keeping you posted with the news and I have enjoyed all of your feedback. Thanks also to Nick for his support and most especially to Jill for all of her work keeping me organised week to week. My next event is in two weeks with Jesper, the Shark Shoot-Out in Naples...Today I am going to take it easy!!..Bye for now..Per

Next Month
Back to News Archive