Steven Bowditch has arrived in Fiji, relaxed, refreshed and coming into the Fiji International after a six week break from the game.
With his first child on the way, Bowditch, for the first time in his life, went a month without touching a club.
“I had six weeks off and I’m starting to come around in practise sessions – I obviously haven’t played any tournaments,” said Bowditch.
“I don’t think I’ve ever left my clubs alone for a month. I just felt like it was something I needed to do.”
The break followed a tough year on the PGA TOUR, where his missed cuts were amplified by his successes the year before.
“It’s been a pretty average year, really a terrible year. It was just bad golf. I could stand here and make all the excuses in the world but at the end of the day it was just terrible golf,” added Bowditch.
“There was nothing really to it. I just tried to take my game to the next level and worked harder and harder and it backfired on me. I over practised I think and it’s just part of the game, part of the learning.”
“After having a couple of wins and playing on the Presidents Cup team there is a little more emphasis on your name and people see your bad stuff a lot more than what they did.”
“It’s not really an uncommon thing, it’s just the way my career has gone and I’ve come out of it so far and there’s no reason I won’t come out of it again.”
However he hopes to turn all that around starting at the Fiji International. The relaxed island vibe combined with the world-class course has Bowditch in a winning frame of mind.
“It’s a great place to come, relax and clear the mind a bit and start off the new season in a good fashion with good spirits. Fiji will definitely do that to you,” added Bowditch, who has been singing the praises of the Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course.
“It’s a great golf course. It’s not very often that you find island courses in this good shape and this good design.”
“This is definitely one of a kind. It’s hard to get elevation at sea level but this has that. It also has a mix of great short holes and long holes; it’s a great venue for a golf tournament.”
“I’m looking forward to getting out there and seeing if I can turn it around this year. I’ve still got probably seven or eight tournaments left this year so hopefully I can turn a pretty bad year into a good one. It only takes a couple of weeks and it’s a good place to start right here.”
Already enjoying his time in Fiji, hanging out with Boo Weekley, fishing and snorkelling, Bowditch will be all business as he and Weekley tee off together at 6.45am.
“It’s my second time in Fiji. It’s a beautiful part of the world, I didn’t really get to check it out last time. So this time I have been travelling around doing some snorkelling and fishing,” added Bowditch, who convinced Weekley to join him in paradise.
“I mentioned that I was coming and he (Weekley) asked if there was any chance we could get him in too. He jumped at the opportunity, it’s great to have him here and he is enjoying it too. “