I want to welcome everyone to 2009. The year tournament wise has gotten off to a slow start, but to be honest I am not overly concerned. I have missed my first two cuts of the year on the Hooters Winter Series. In the first rounds in each of the two tournaments I have dug holes to deep to come back from. I would be a fool not to mention that in the first round of the first tournament I teed off in the third to last group and had to play 15 holes in a solid rain at Forest Lake. The first round of the second tournament at Deer Island was played in a steady 25mph wind in 50 degree temperatures. These were extremely difficult conditions, both of which rank in my top 5 most difficult rounds weather wise in my young career. However rounds of 79 and 81 are inexcuseable. I am working on finding ways in difficult conditions or days that I don't have my best stuff to grind out scores a lot closer to par. In both these tournaments I bounced right back the next day with scores that were a bit more reasonable in relation to par. What has led to my slow start in 2009 has been poor putting that is costing me some 5 to 6 shots each round. It also boils down to trusting myself from the moment the gun goes off in the first round from tee to green. In the second rounds when I have had nothing to lose I have played a lot more steady. I am really looking forward to keeping that mindset going into next week at Providence Country Club. The holidays were good to relax and sit back and set some high, but attainable goals in 2009. I got in some great time in the gym with my golf trainer Allison Thietje of Motion Memory Golf in Saint Louis. After the tournament next week I am headed to California for the week to work with my new sports psychologist Neale Smith. I have a great team of support behind me and I am ready to get this motor running shortly. Once the putter heats up I am fully expecting and ready to get a win in the near future.