Seven straight rounds at par or under is not too bad for the start of the season. After the 74 in the first round at Abu Dhabi, I have been par or under for the next seven rounds, with the final round at Commercialbank Qatar Masters being a five-under 67.

I had two rounds in the 60s at Abu Dhabi and one more in Doha. So, I am feeling quite good about my game, particularly off the tee and with the irons. In Abu Dhabi I found 14 or more greens on three days and 12 on another. In Doha I hit between 13 and 15 greens on each of the four days and despite the weather I also found a lot of fairways.

Which brings us to the greens! There is some rustiness there. I do look at statistics, but I rely more on the feel - both mental and on-course - to judge my form and rhythm.

But over the last two weeks, I did see the stats and realised that in none of the eight rounds that I have played, did I go below 27 putts for the round. In most cases is has been 29 to 31.

A little bit better would mean a lot of strokes and a few places upward.

Still, I am not complaining. These are early days in the season and so far the results have been modest - 26^th at Abu Dhabi and 16^th in Doha - though the game has been far better than what the scores suggest.

In terms of world rankings, I am at No. 33 in the world rankings, and it is a career-high for me, and that is where I was last week after Abu Dhabi, too. So I maintained that in the week at Doha.

As I write this on our Republic Day (January 26), I am also off to Dubai for the Dubai Classic, which has been a good venue for me.

As I am try to get my putting in order, I have happy memories of once finishing four rounds at the 2001 Dubai Classic in just 94 putts! I was sixth that year.

Dubai has emerged a great venue and it celebrates its 20^th anniversary. I have myself have had the chance to play in quite a few editions through the last 10 years or so.

The Middle East has always been great with a good number of my sponsors coming from the region. There is Panceltica in Qatar and Jumeirah Estates and golfinDUBAI.

Further, I have so many personal friends here, that it always feels like home and there is lot of Indian food available!

That's all for now and Happy golfing till next time.

Jeev