Mike’s Blog-2010 Season Preview

After a great Christmas break, I'm ready to start the PGA Tour season again. That will happen next week when I head out to the Bob Hope Classic in Palm Springs, Calif.

I'm looking forward to getting back out there and competing. I've spent a lot of the off-season working hard on my game and especially my fitness. I'd say over the last three months, I've really gone at it hard in the gym, trying to build up my strength and endurance for the season ahead. It's hard to do that during the year when I'm playing so I work especially hard at this time of year and focus more on maintaining everything as the season gets underway.

As I get older (I'm turning 40 this year!), I know my fitness will be a big key to my success and longevity. I also want to have a chance to play in the Olympics in 2016 so that's another reason to hit the gym.

As for my game, I've worked hard on everything but my short game has received a lot of attention; I'm trying to get better and better at those scoring shots as well as my putting.

I've also been working on my driving. I'm not a big stats guy but I could tell by looking at my numbers from last year that by improving my accuracy off the tee, I'd really help my game.

The off-season has also been a time for me to get dialed in with new clubs. I have new irons from TaylorMade in the bag and I've been making sure they are exactly to my specifications. I also have been working with new wedges by fellow Canadian Bob Vokey and - like everyone else - adjusting to the new grooves. There is definitely a difference with the V-grooves as my shots don't have the spin when coming out of the rough. For me, it won't be that big a change and I'm not sure it will affect many guys at the start of the year during the wet West Coast events. I think we'll see it more when we get to Florida and the whispy, dry Bermuda grass.

In my mind, I think I might be in a position to benefit from the groove change. The rule will put more of a premium on hitting the fairway off the tee and help those who are good short game players. I always go back to the duel between Tiger and Phil at Doral a few years ago as an example of why this is a good change. They finished first and second in the tournament and, I think, last and second-last in driving accuracy. That shouldn't happen and I think this rule change will ensure that.

Something I'm really looking forward to this year are the majors. The lineup of courses is exciting. Augusta, of course, but also Pebble Beach for the U.S. Open and the Old Course for the British. I've obviously had great results on the first two courses and while I haven't played all that well in tournaments at the Old Course, I'm really looking forward to playing there this year. Whistling Straights for the PGA Championship will be one to look forward too as well.

Before that, though, I'm going to try and take some time to go to the Olympics in Vancouver. I'm a big Winter Olympics fan and having had the games in 2002 in Salt Lake City where I live, I know what a great experience it will be for the city itself. The atmosphere is really unique. I'm hoping to take my family up there and take in some hockey, figure skating, speed skating and curling. My daughters were quite young in 2002 so this will give them a chance to see some of it.

I'm very happy that we'll have two more Canadians out on Tour this year. I know Stephen and I have been hoping to increase the Maple Leaf contingent out on Tour and to have Graham and Chris there is great. I haven't spoken to them yet since they got their cards but I'll be looking out for them at the first Tour stop we're together. I hope that if they have any questions or want any advice that they'll come up and ask. I know when I first got out on Tour, Richard Zokol did that for me. He gave me great help on things like where to stay at certain tournaments, where to eat, how to get around. That kind of information can be really helpful in avoiding surprises while you try to focus on your game.

Like many people, I've been asked about Tiger a lot since his accident. I'm not sure when he's going to come back to playing and I think there's a different feeling this time as opposed to when he was off with his knee surgery. No one knows when he'll be back so it's all up in the air. As a player, I'd love to see him back sooner rather than later. You always want the best players in the field when you're competing and he's definitely one of those. I just hope he and his family are able to get everything straightened out and he can get back on Tour when he's ready.

Finally, I wanted to say a special thank you to Brad Pelletier who is leaving IMG Canada where he was running things for the last few years. He's been a good friend who helped me a great deal with my business deals over the years and he'll be missed for sure. He's going to head back to B.C. to live and I think he's making a great move for his family and overall quality of life.

As always, thanks for your support.

Mike