If things were different in one way, everything else was as it was – this is the ‘start’ of UK golf, the BBC are at the Marriott Forest of Arden and so are all the great and the good from golf. And Steve Webster is feeling good, despite what his recent play would indicate.

‘I am feeling really good. I went out to Dubai last week (Steve has a more than healthy colour to his face) and had a lesson from Pete (Cowan) on the Sunday, then a week’s practice.

‘It went great and I have played OK, although I’ve missed three out the last four cuts, no, I have played poorly on some rounds.

‘There have been no 70s or 71’s – its either a 68 or a 76, nothing in between.

‘At the ANZ (the Stableford Championship in Australia that Steve had a big chance to win) I played some of my best golf for the first three rounds …. No make that all four.

‘I played brilliantly in Dubai and ended up 25th – they had set the course up tough because Tiger was playing. In South Africa (Steve’s first start of the year) I was playing with Trevor Immleman (who eventually won) and was up there until about 10 holes to go – it was very windy that day.

What about all the new commitments that a Tour Player has to take on – for Fitness and Psychology?

‘I went to Dubai for a month in November/December and I work out regularly. I’m off tonight to see a lady in Nuneaton about the mental side of things. I speak to a few people.

‘What goes wrong with the Steve Webster swing? – My line up becomes too casual. Golf has always been pretty natural to me. I try to NOT get into the zone because the more I try that sort of thing, the more difficult I find it.

Has Steve changed any of his equipment for 2004?

‘I went to the Taylor Made Factory in November for 3 days. I now have the same clubheads but I am using a slightly stiffer rifle shaft – the heads are good for me.

‘I did sit down last year and say ‘You should not be here (close to 100 on the OoM). This year I want to be Top 25, I want to play in the Volvo (Masters). I won’t be going to China but from the Deutsche Bank onwards I am playing every week. I’m not thinking yet about the Open although I know that there is the 36 at Sunningdale.

So what is Steve doing outside of his golf? He has had his own charity day at Anstey a few weeks agowhere some £3000+ went to Debra and yesterday he had his annual game of football, playing in what has become a fixture for the Caddies, a game which added another £2500 to what is a special cause. Its just one part of Steve’s life – his other is winning golf tournaments – could this be the week?