Konichiwa!

Well I'm just over a third of the way through my around the world final stretch of the year!  I'm in Guadalajara, Mexico on the eve of the Lorena Ochoa Invitational.

Before I talk to you all about this week, let me update you on my trip to Japan. My first three days were made up of 3 corporate pro-ams with one of my sponsors, Epson. If you have never played golf in Japan, than I need to explain that a day of golf is literally that...a DAY of golf! Well its golf and eating actually. In Japan, because it takes so long, usually, to get to a golf course, the Japanese make a full day of it. The Day usually goes...you arrive and have breakfast, warm up and then play 9 holes. When you finish 9, you are given a tee time for your next 9 which is usually in about 45 minutes. So you go and have lunch. Then you play your second nine which is then followed by more food!  Now my view of this is probably distorted a bit because Epson are entertaining their guests, therefore laying on the hospitality. Let me tell you though, I could get used to 4 square meals a day!  Although then I could take up Sumo. Anyway, so after eating and giving lots very helpful tips to my pro-am partners my 3 days were done and I was on my way to Kashikojima where the Mizuno Classic was being played.

My coach, Ian Triggs was at the tournament for a couple of days. It was good that he was there, as I needed a swing tune up.  Sometimes when I practice by myself for too long, I start to get a little off.  We did some good work over the two days that he was there.  So I went into the tournament not really sure what to expect. After five weeks away from tournament golf, once the gun goes off and I have to add them at the end of every hole, I'm never quite sure which Karrie will show up.  As it turned out, I played quite well the first two rounds but just didn't make the putts.  Now that doesn't mean I didn't putt well.  I hit a lot of good putts on the lines I read but either my speed was off or it was a bit of a misread. With one round to go, I felt like I could shoot a low one and maybe sneak into the top ten. As it turned out I had a pretty poor day from tee to green.  My stats will say I hit a lot of greens but I was always a long way away. So it was little disappointing to finish like that.

One bright spot to Sunday was a visit from a Japanese family who have been fans of mine for as long as I've been coming to Japan.  They are fans so much so that they named there golf business and their daughter after me!!  Honestly, at first I was very uncomfortable with anyone being such a fan of mine.  As I have gotten older, I have really enjoyed and appreciated their support.  Also it has been great to watch their kids grow up and now come out and cheer me on.

So after a long trip to Mexico and two jetlagged practice days....I'm ready to go!! No really, although my practice has been a bit on and off over the two days, it not something that is unusual. I have had plenty of sleep overnight (yes this blog has taken me till just before tee time on Thursday!) And once the gun goes off I will be sharp and focused...so here's hoping that little white thing starts going in!!

Ciao,

Karrie

Karii & Taiga