THREE Ryder Cup decisions were made last week. Ian Woosnam was rightfully named captain for next year, Nick Faldo likewise for 2008, and there was one other which many have chosen to overlook.

Most have taken an interest in the selection committee's decision to name the captain for three years' time, opting against looking at the bigger picture and the misfortune of one Sandy Lyle.

Personally, I feel the selections of both Woosnam and Faldo are good, yet I can't help but be sympathetic to the legendary Lyle's cause.

By the time the Ryder Cup in 2010 comes around he will be 53 and for me he should seriously consider putting his name forward to succeed Faldo. Sandy should certainly think twice about ruling himself out of the captaincy in future years.

Faldo's appointment for 2008 did cause a bit of a stir in Dubai as Sandy - a former Open and Masters champion himself as well as being an 18-times winner on the Tour - was overlooked for the job and now feels he will never get the chance to do it again.

In Dubai, for the Desert Classic over the weekend, everyone was talking about the captaincy and when Woosie was given the nod the feeling among the players was good.

Most people agreed it was the right choice.

He is still involved playing and knows all the players, which seems to be the right way to do things after what Bernard Langer achieved in America last year.

Personally I feel that both will do a good job for the team but it's down to the players to perform at their best and work together to find the right pairings.

IN DUBAI it was another case of having to be happy and content with my performance.

After spending - deservedly after five long weeks - the previous week off, I treated my fiancee to a break in a nice hotel and caught up with a few friends.

My coach Ian Rae also ironed a few things out for me and those things worked in the first real big tournament of the year. To make the cut and keep my run going was highly satisfying, even though the putter misbehaved.

Over the weekend I played some awesome golf but couldn't quite convert some of the chances. But overall I was very happy with the way the event went - finishing 47th in a strong field.

DURING my time in the luxurious resort, I had a little venture to the Dubai Women's Open tennis tournament with fellow Tour hopeful Oli Wilson after pocketing a couple of VIP tickets - a great life.

We were lucky enough to see the quarter-final match between Serena Williams and Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova - what a match to see and what a chance to be able to sit behind Serena's sister Venus.

The game was mainly one- sided with Serena running out a 6-4 6-3 winner, but getting to sit in an arena like that was awesome with the crowd clapping every point.

An incredible place, an incredible venue and fantastic to see. Fortunately I've another week in this region as I've got the Qatar Masters in Doha starting tomorrow.

Published: ??/??/2005