Ever since I first began to make an impression as a golfer, one of my dreams was to play in the Irish Open. Two years ago at Druids Glen, I did play as an amateur - with borrowed clubs after my own were lost in transit on the way home from the United States, but that's another story - and, since turning professional after last year's Walker Cup match, I've looked forward to playing in the Murphy's this summer.

Unfortunately, my plans have now changed and I won't be able to keep that date in July. It is not a decision I have taken lightly. In fact, it was only after a long heart-to-heart with my manager that we felt it was unrealistic to take two weeks out of my US Tour schedule to come home for the Irish Open. So, I've been forced to turn down the sponsor's invitation to compete.

I'm as disappointed as anyone. I'm desperate to meet all my pals, especially to personally congratulate the Birr players for winning the All-Ireland club hurling championship last month - and, seeing how the county footballers won the National League last Sunday (well done lads!!), maybe it's time I took a leaf out of the Offaly GAA book and started to win something!

I'm in possession of two tour cards, one in the States and one in Europe, but the reality is that I have put all my eggs into one basket and I desperately want to keep my US Tour card. It's a big disappointment to miss out on the trip home and the chance to meet up with all my family and friends again, but I've received an invite into the Motorola Western Open in Cog Hill, Illinois (a course I know from my college days), and into the Canon Greater Hartford Open, which clashes with the Irish Open, and I may need all the chances I can get to win enough money to keep my card. When we sat down and thought seriously about it, my manager and I agreed we couldn't turn down the chance to play in those two tournaments. Unfortunately, the Irish Open, the one which is closest to my heart, is the one to lose out . . . but I know that I'll play in many of them in the future. This is a practical decision, not unlike the one taken a few years ago by Paul McGinley and Eoghan O'Connell when they felt they needed to play in the Italian Open in pursuit of prize money rather than the Irish PGA Championship.

While I'm on the subject, I'm not too sure what the situation is about coming home for the Smurfit European Open either. It was on my schedule all along, but the decision to play the final round of the Pebble Beach (which was hit by El Nino's storms in February and postponed until the autumn) on August 17th, the day after the USPGA concludes and the Monday prior to the European, puts a major question mark on my participation. I'm guaranteed a cheque in Pebble Beach, maybe even a very decent one, and, considering the time difference from the US West Coast, I'm not sure about the logistics of making it from there in time to play in The K Club.

Anyway, I arrived in Houston on Sunday night, coming straight from my final round in the Greater Greensboro Open. I survived for all four days in Greensboro but I was disappointed to finish with a 72holes aggregate of 289, one over par. I know I have to start scoring at the weekend, that's when the money is made. And I also know I need a few top-10 finishes if I'm to be sure of retaining my card.

But I know I can do it. In Greensboro I was placed third in finding greens in regulation - which is usually a good guide to how well you are playing - and didn't have any three-putts. However, I made some silly mistakes and didn't have too many single putts either, and that's normally where you make your score. I had too many two-putts, and you don't get anywhere with them.

Still, I felt very much at home in Greensboro. Someone asked me did I get a feel for the great tradition there, a place where Sam Snead won eight times. But, to be honest, at my stage of golfing development I can't afford to have much time for tradition just yet. At the moment, it is important for me to focus on my own game and, hopefully, I'll have plenty of time for tradition in a few years time.

The course here in Woodlands (Houston) is one which I believe will suit me. I actually played here some 15 or 16 times in my college days at Clemson, so I should have a bit of an edge. I've also changed the shaft in my driver: it's a True Temper extra-stiff shaft and I've reduced the length from 46 inches to 45 inches. It gives me a lower trajectory and straighter flight, which should be an advantage on this course. I'm very confident off the tee, despite those silly bogeys in Greensboro, and hopefully I can move on a stage and start making some decent prize money.

I've reappraised how much I need to win to keep my tour card and I now estimate $200,000 will do me. I know I have the game and can win enough, but the period of adjustment is very important. At the Greensboro Trevor Dodds, after 10 years on the circuit, finally won a tournament. That gives everyone hope.

(In an interview with Philip Reid)