Hello Friends,
I've posted several pictures from my most recent tournament, the State Amateur. I finished the week tied for 7th with a four round total of 289 (+1). My four rounds were 71, 75, 69, 74. Despite not winning, it was a successful week. Going into the tournament, I felt very confident and hoped that I could play well enough the first three days to give myself a shot to win it on the final day. I definately gave myself that chance. I was three shots behind in a tie for fourth as the final day began. Unfortunately the course was playing very difficult the last day and it was not easy to make up shots. Finishing top ten in the State Amateur was a first for me and it was a good experience to play in the second to last group on the final day.
To start the week out, I play very solid and shot a one under 71. However, one of my playing partners shot a 65 so my 71 got overshadowed. On the second day I hoped to move up the leaderboard, but instead I struggled to shoot a 75. I had triple bogey early in the round and despite my best attempts to come back from it, I could not do any better than three over par. After two rounds I was nine shots back, but still felt like I could win if I shot two rounds in the sixties.
The third round was by far my best round of the week. Driving, putting, chipping, and ball-striking were nearly flawless. I got off to a quick start with three birdies in my first 6 holes and continued with a birdie on 10. Unfortunately my round took a dramatic turn for the worse on number 12. I tried to hit a 2-Iron in the fairway, but I pushed it into the right woods and it kicked into the river. I took a drop and could not punch it out of the woods. I then successfully punched out to the fairway and played a wedge to 15 feet. I just missed the putt for a six and tapped in for a 7. I knew I had climbed way up the leaderboard and I wiped all of that work out with one hole. Thankfully I was able to put the triple bogey behind me rather quickly and get back to playing the way I had the rest of the day. On number 15, I knocked a 7-iron to 3 feet and made the putt for birdie (see picture). Then on the next hole I hit an approach to eighteen feet and made the putt, which probably broke close to eight feet. I almost had my back to the hole on the putt, but the ball fell in on its last revolution. A lip out on number 17 and a good two putt on 18 got me into the clubhouse with a 3-under 69 and a three round total of 215 (-1).
Coming out on the final day, I had accomplished one of my goals for the week. I had a chance to win on the last day. I grinded throughout the entire day despite not hitting it my best. The pins were in very difficult positions and the greens had dried out by the afternoon so they became very fast. I tapped in on 18 for a 74, good enough for a tie for 7th.
Throughout the week I was very impressed with my putting. The greens were very sloped and the pins were in very tricky spots which made it tough to get the ball close. I made plenty of 10-20 footers for pars and birdies and manged to get through the week with only one three putt. It is nice to see the hard work I have done on my putting pay off.
Take care, I have the Minnesota State Open next.
Neil
No comments:
Post a Comment