First and foremost, a very Happy New Year to all my friends and well-wishers.

After a long, long season, travelling from one country to another, from one continent to another, a couple of weeks at home is indeed heaven. In fact, even as I talk about this break, half of that is over! But I must confess, being at home, with my wife, Kudrat, the rest of the family and friends has been such a great feeling.

It has been a season of great highs, which late in the year was also hit by a personal tragedy of losing our first child. But that was the 'Will of the God', who has been very generous to us in every which way. As I have said, time and again, maybe he has something better for us in store.

In terms of golf, whatever I had set out to achieve after a rather modest 2007, came out perfectly. It couldn't have been better with four titles - in Austria, Singapore and twice in Japan -- on three different Tours; a second Order of Merit title in Asia; a top-15 finish in European Order of Merit, a top-10 in a Major at PGA Championships and a ticket to all four Majors and WGC events in 2009. It was a dream season indeed, which was capped by a career-high world ranking at No. 36.

Apart from the highs on the golf course, the warmth with which I have been received around the world touched me. It is the support of family and friends, which has taken us to such highs and helped us to overcome the tough moments.

This would be too small a place to put all those names, but friends like Mr. Hemant Singh and Mrinalini stand out for the way they helped us in Japan during the tough times.

On the golf course, my good friend and swing coach, Amritinder Singh, has ensured my game has improved. Janet Squire, who joined me on the bag in US earlier this season, has become a strong part of the team and kept me focussed on the golf course. Then I must thank physios like Phillippa who ensured I was able to tee up despite various problems.

To all of them and others I promise to be fitter this year. Not only do I plan to cut down my schedule, but am also using the two-week break to work harder on it. I have a physio and a Yoga teacher to take me through these two weeks and will stick to the plan they suggest to make it a successful 2009.

The media has been a great support. It is because of them that golf is now the fastest growing sport in India and has seen such a lot of success. They have chronicled each of our moves around the world and ensured greater interest in the sport, which in turn has attracted superb sponsors.

In the last week of 2008, I kept my promise of playing a PGTI Indian Tour event, but just missed out on my goal of winning in India after such a long time. But losing to Jyoti Randhawa is okay - he has been a great friend and teammate and sharing the second place with an emerging talent like Anirban Lahiri was a pleasure.

Over the last year, I have also been fortunate with sponsors like Jumeirah Estates, golfinDUBAI, Panceltica and I have also joined hands to become the Brand Ambassador of Skytop Golf Village, where I intend to help set up an Academy. In the New Year I hope to associate with a few more sponsors and hopefully their numbers will increase to support to Indian golf.

In a week or two I will be back on the golf course in Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Dubai for the first three events on my schedule on the European Tour and then it will be travelling around the world as usual.

My goal, as I have stated is to do well in the Majors and the WGC events and try to get into top-20 of the world.

In the New Year as I set out to pursue my dream, I promise to write more often and regularly in this space, to let you know of my progress.

Happy golfing and once again a very Happy New Year.