There are boats and then there are BOATS. Last week I went on one of the second variety. What a boat. All 90ft of it, Sunseeker brand, perfect for a three-day spin round the Med.

Apart from the real crew, Captain Arthur, Mark, Henry and Chantelle, my crew included wife Laurae, caddy Billy and his spouse Lisa and Worksop friends Wayne and Lisa.  And last, but by no means least, Mad Tonia. Actually, describing her as mad, does her an injustice. She is absolutely stark, raving bonkers.

And so we set sail for St. Tropez where we did some sight-seeing at the Nikki Beach Club and then on to Antibes. Before our trip, I’d returned from The Open, in time to present the prizes at the Lee Westwood/Worksop Guardian Golf Championship. On our return from the Med, I did a tour of three of my academies. What a delight to see kids really enjoying the game.

Now I’m in Akron for the WGC Bridgestone Invitational, one of my favourite events of the year for many reasons, not least that it’s played on a wonderful course and also that we get to eat at one of America’s finest restaurants. Ken Stewart’s Bar and Grill is a must-visit for anybody coming within striking distance (100 miles in any direction). Tell meeters-and-greeters Jeanie, Charla or Katy that you know me... and you’ll be banned for life. Only joking, the girls run an excellent oasis. All the waitresses must learn the day’s special by heart and it’s not a short list. They rattle off 30 or so different items without taking breath.

Fortunately I have a low-profile couple of days ahead of me with somebody called Tiger Woods. We’re paired together in the first two rounds so we won’t need too many gallery guards to control the half a dozen or so followers. A win here might take me above Tiger for the first time to No.1 in the world, but that’s not something that occupies too much of my attention. I’ll just try my best and see what happens.

What has caused me concern for the last couple of months has been my right calf, which currently rates about six and a half out of 10. It’s been improving mainly thanks to a contraption called Game Ready which compresses and ices at the same time.

I’m hoping my game will be ready for the next two weeks at least when a WGC title and the US PGA Championship are at stake. Unlike my trip to the Med, it’s not going to be plain sailing, but will let you know if I needed a lifebelt next time.