Scottish Open is my last chance of joining the party at Lytham

EVERY week recently I seem to be writing about a similar story on the golf course. Last week in Paris I played nicely again for the majority of the tournament, but the odd silly mistake here and there is costing me massively at the moment.

Last week's golf course was one of the toughest set-ups of the year so far. Paris National is a fantastic course and is hosting the 2018 Ryder Cup. This year Jean van de Velde was in charge of the event.

One or two of the 'high' profile players seemed to criticise the way the course was set up with narrow fairways and very heavy rough, but I think the course plays its best as it was last week.

I think Jean did a great job and it's always a pleasure to play it. It can play a bit linksy, but with all the rain everywhere, it played long and soft, adding to the toughness.

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I really struggled on the greens, 3.3 putts over two days isn't good enough. I holed nothing, although my long game was giving me fantastic chances.

I battled my way from four-over to one-over for the tournament with five holes to play in my second round, and with the lead at five-under I was right in for a push at the weekend.

Unfortunately, a lost ball only five yards off the edge of the par-five 14th hole cost me an eight and my tournament was over.

A really gutting finish and one that needed a drink or two and a couple of days off to get over and ease myself into the right frame of mind for this week's Scottish Open.

I'm feeling the best I've ever done with my game. It's just not happening. This is the golfer's lot. Stand on the range at any event and you will hear any number of us chanting the same mantra; it's only a matter of time. In my case, I just have to stay patient and stay away from my dad's snoring. It was great to have him around last week, but I forgot what a racket he makes all night! Perhaps it was just as well we came back early.

Having missed out in the qualifying section on the Fylde coast last week I have one last shot at gaining a place in The Open Championship at Royal Lytham next week. The Open is a brilliant event and Royal Lytham one of my favourite courses, a proper test of this mad game.

It would be a real blow to miss out. All I have to do is finish in the top-five at Castle Stuart, easy peasy with the likes of Luke Donald, Phil Mickelson and Padraig Harrington in the field, not to mention the regular tour guys.

Castle Stuart gives you a chance. It's a real second shot course because the wide fairways are tolerant if you are slightly off line from the tee. As ever the putter will make the difference, and not having my dad in the next bed.