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- Sep 1, 2004
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I was hot yesterday. I don't know why but everything fell into place, except for one big disaster, I'll get onto that later.
It only happens very rarely, all the facets of your game come together on one day. I was stripping my driver, shelling my irons and the short game was on. My concentration was very good and the conditions were almost perfect. I was playing in my Winter league team - this was week 2. After a respectable 32 points after week 1 (over 16 holes) - I was looking forward to yesterday. The swing felt good, right from my opening tee shot.
Anyway I started with 4 solid pars, hitting every fairway and every green, leaving myself no more than 20ft for any putt. The next, a short par five I hit in 2, sailing in a nice 7 wood from 200 yards. Two putts to go -1. Looking good. I should have birdied the next missing a straight up the hill putt from 12ft, but made up for that with a similar putt on the next to go to -2. No mistakes so far, 100% good golf.
I then rolled off 4 pars, 2 of which I had good chances for birdie, from 8 and 6ft. Theses were 2 par 5s, back to back which although were into a wind, still only left me with 30 yard approaches. I was being real patient though and I am still -2 with 4 to play and I haven't struggled with one single shot yet!!
The 15th, (my 13th) was 155 yards and I hit a perfect little 7 iron to about 4 ft. Shot of the day! The putt was centre cup to get me to -3. I have NEVER been here before at Portstewart, and it has been 15 years since I have scored at this level, but I was feeling great. Anyway my drive on 16 was a bit shaky and I needed a good approach from the rough on the left about 170 out into the wind. I pulled a 7 wood slightly long and left of green but made a great chip (with my 3 wood) to 2 ft. I am still -3 with 2 holes left. This is insane!!
I stood on 17, a difficult par 4, but with the wind at my back, I'm thinking I could make birdie here. My mistake. I hit my only real bad drive of the day, blocked right into the rough. The rough is not bad this time of the year, so I didn't for a second think it was in trouble. 5 minutes later my worst fears were realised. I lost the ball, it must have plugged in the rough. I was furious, to the point that I didn't go back to play another (even though I had a shot on this hole, index 2). Anyway I finished 18 (my 16th) with a par for 36 points, rueing my only bad drive of the day, for which I feel I got overly punished. 8 times out of ten I would have walked to my ball and I am looking at a 5, at worst. A perfect round spoiled by one shot. That's golf I guess.
The positives are that I hit the ball great, putted well, was patient, kept my cool and enjoyed myself (at least until 17). I also got a great score for my team. It did however put a real black spot on the day though. One day I will shoot below par, I know I have the game, and I am beginning to believe I have the temperament, I just need a break. It's got me real psyched for 2005 though!!! So watch out.
It only happens very rarely, all the facets of your game come together on one day. I was stripping my driver, shelling my irons and the short game was on. My concentration was very good and the conditions were almost perfect. I was playing in my Winter league team - this was week 2. After a respectable 32 points after week 1 (over 16 holes) - I was looking forward to yesterday. The swing felt good, right from my opening tee shot.
Anyway I started with 4 solid pars, hitting every fairway and every green, leaving myself no more than 20ft for any putt. The next, a short par five I hit in 2, sailing in a nice 7 wood from 200 yards. Two putts to go -1. Looking good. I should have birdied the next missing a straight up the hill putt from 12ft, but made up for that with a similar putt on the next to go to -2. No mistakes so far, 100% good golf.
I then rolled off 4 pars, 2 of which I had good chances for birdie, from 8 and 6ft. Theses were 2 par 5s, back to back which although were into a wind, still only left me with 30 yard approaches. I was being real patient though and I am still -2 with 4 to play and I haven't struggled with one single shot yet!!
The 15th, (my 13th) was 155 yards and I hit a perfect little 7 iron to about 4 ft. Shot of the day! The putt was centre cup to get me to -3. I have NEVER been here before at Portstewart, and it has been 15 years since I have scored at this level, but I was feeling great. Anyway my drive on 16 was a bit shaky and I needed a good approach from the rough on the left about 170 out into the wind. I pulled a 7 wood slightly long and left of green but made a great chip (with my 3 wood) to 2 ft. I am still -3 with 2 holes left. This is insane!!
I stood on 17, a difficult par 4, but with the wind at my back, I'm thinking I could make birdie here. My mistake. I hit my only real bad drive of the day, blocked right into the rough. The rough is not bad this time of the year, so I didn't for a second think it was in trouble. 5 minutes later my worst fears were realised. I lost the ball, it must have plugged in the rough. I was furious, to the point that I didn't go back to play another (even though I had a shot on this hole, index 2). Anyway I finished 18 (my 16th) with a par for 36 points, rueing my only bad drive of the day, for which I feel I got overly punished. 8 times out of ten I would have walked to my ball and I am looking at a 5, at worst. A perfect round spoiled by one shot. That's golf I guess.
The positives are that I hit the ball great, putted well, was patient, kept my cool and enjoyed myself (at least until 17). I also got a great score for my team. It did however put a real black spot on the day though. One day I will shoot below par, I know I have the game, and I am beginning to believe I have the temperament, I just need a break. It's got me real psyched for 2005 though!!! So watch out.
