The wind that whipped in from the North Sea didn’t blow too many good things our way in the alfred dunhill links championship, but I always look for the positives and there were a few.

Simon Dyson put up a very spirited defence of the title he claimed 12 months previously and played really well all week to finish in fifth place.   He can be proud of his effort and I think you will see Dys climbing higher and higher in the coming year.

Of perhaps even more significance was the top 10 recorded by David Howell.  Howeller has had a quiet couple of years and hopefully the eighth place he registered at St.Andrews will give him the confidence to return to where he used to be in the world.  The signs are good.

Lee Westwood needed a top two finish to claim the world No.1 slot and did mighty well to finish at all.   Lee hurt his troublesome hamstring again in the first round at Kingsbarns, but continued on bravely to help his amateur partner, South Africa’s Mr.Sport, Johann Rupert, claim third place in the team competition.

Now Lee is having another stretch of time off to help the hamstring mend itself, but the way the rankings work means he could still get to No.1 without having to play his way there.  Lee won’t want it that way, but I’m sure he’ll take it because there has not been a more consistent performer over the last two years.

Of the three South Africans who tied for 22nd, Thomas Aiken, Ernie Els and Anton Haig, the latter’s performance was the most significant.

Anton had an explosive start to his professional career and is now fighting his way back after a few problems.  It was really encouraging to see him do so well north of the border because he has an enormous talent and personality.

My own exploits at St.Andrews were nothing less than I expected.  I had to sacrifice my normal partner at the behest of Mr. Rupert, was under prepared and comfortably missed the cut.  Room for improvement I fear.