The injury in my ribs is feeling much better after a week-long rest in my hometown of Chandigarh. However, I must admit that the pain has not gone completely.

While in Chandigarh, I just relaxed and had some physio work done. I did not hit a single ball and that seemed to have done a world of good. But as soon as I reached the range at Le Golf National, where we are playing the Open de France Alstom this week, and hit a few balls, the pain was back.

I played the pro-am with an anti-inflammatory patch on, and it wasn't too bad. There was a bit of discomfort, but it felt much better than during the US Open time. And the good news is that I am hitting the ball quite ok.

I was pleased with my opening-round three-under 68 even though I was six shots behind the leader Martin Kaymer, who put together a blistering round of nine-under 62. I made only one bogey, and that was the irritating part. It came on the 17th hole for me - eighth of the course - and I hate making bogeys in the last couple of holes.

I do not mind a couple of early bogeys, but when you drop shots later in the round, it shows perhaps your focus wasn't 100 per cent there.

The Open de France is one of my favourite events on the Tour, and the main reason for that is the Le Golf National course. It is a beautifully-designed course with water coming into play on several holes. It is an exposed layout, where wind and rough are two big adversaries. However, the rough this year is not as penal as it was last year.

It is one golf course where I always seem to do well. I was 12th in 2007 and 21st last year and am looking forward to improving on that this year. I am playing three successive weeks - the Scottish Open and the Open Championship after this - and these are going to be very important in consolidating my position as far as The Race to Dubai is concerned.

I am currently 18th in The Race to Dubai and if I can get inside the top-10 by the end of the Open at Turnberry, it will put me in a great position to focus on attaining my PGA Tour card for next season.

I have been paired with Colin Montgomerie and Miguel Angel Jimenez this week, which is an honour. Colin, obviously, is the captain of European Ryder Cup team, while Miguel is playing his 500th event on the European Tour. The cigar-smoking Spaniard is one of the great characters on our Tour - much loved by his peers for his affable nature and much respected for his skills.

And looking at the way he played the opening round, age hasn't caught up with Miguel. I won't be surprised if he makes it to Monty's team for Celtic Manor in 2010, and for the tournament in 2012 as well!