What a disappointing ending to a hard fought day. Kevin put out a great effort but we have zero to show for it when it was all said and done. His one under par (71) fell one shot short of making it to the weekend.
It was another solid ball striking day but we were only able to make two birdies. For the second day in a row, we could not make the putts. We could only manage five birdies over two day which just does not allow for any other mistakes. Even though our mistakes were minor, we could not hide them.
Next week we will be close to home in Charlotte, NC for the Wells Fargo Championship. I'm already packed and ready to hit the road. I plan on leaving about 4am tomorrow for the 11 hour drive. I'll spend a few days home before we start the new week.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Zurich Classic - First Round
It was a solid ball striking round. Kevin was ranked 13th in driving accuracy and 4th in greens in regulation after the first round. We got off to a solid start but the momentum of our round was slowed on the 17th hole (our 8th) after a three putt bogey which was followed by a missed drive right into a water hazard on the reachable par 5 - 18th. The 2 or 3 shot swing turned the momentum around as we turned at one over par for the day. A solid back nine of one under had us finishing at even par (72).
The day could be summed up with poor putting (142nd putts/round and 115th in putts/GIR). A combination of miss reads (by the caddy...I started reading putts last week) and miss hits (by the player) are to blame. So, we spent the majority of our time practicing putting after the round. A slight adjustment in his eye position and ball position seemed to help. With all of that, we left the golf course in a much better frame of mind for tomorrow.
After a nice dinner with Kevin and my roommate, Nick Hughey (Scott Brown's caddy), it time for some rest. We tee off tomorrow at 1:40pm.
The day could be summed up with poor putting (142nd putts/round and 115th in putts/GIR). A combination of miss reads (by the caddy...I started reading putts last week) and miss hits (by the player) are to blame. So, we spent the majority of our time practicing putting after the round. A slight adjustment in his eye position and ball position seemed to help. With all of that, we left the golf course in a much better frame of mind for tomorrow.
After a nice dinner with Kevin and my roommate, Nick Hughey (Scott Brown's caddy), it time for some rest. We tee off tomorrow at 1:40pm.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Zurich Classic (New Orleans, LA) - Practice Days
The Monday pro-am went well. Kevin's body was a little tired but he continues to hit the ball well. During the pro-am, we spent some extra time focusing on chipping. Since the pro-am took almost 6 hours to play, when we finished, he decided to call it a day and get some rest.
After an 11 hour nap, I met Kevin Tuesday morning for a full day of practice. He started his day with a workout so I went out on the course alone to do some course work. We met up after lunch and spent a few hours chipping and putting. After hitting a few balls on the range, we played a late nine hole practice round with David Hearn. It was a nice practice round as we continued to work hard on the chipping and putting around the greens.
Wednesday was once again our normal practice day. Kevin once again started his morning with a workout before we started our practice. We hit some balls, hammered out a solid chipping session, then finished the practice day with some putting. We finished up early this afternoon and headed home for some much needed rest.
We tee off tomorrow morning at 8:40 with Steve Wheatcroft and Jason Kokrak.
After an 11 hour nap, I met Kevin Tuesday morning for a full day of practice. He started his day with a workout so I went out on the course alone to do some course work. We met up after lunch and spent a few hours chipping and putting. After hitting a few balls on the range, we played a late nine hole practice round with David Hearn. It was a nice practice round as we continued to work hard on the chipping and putting around the greens.
Wednesday was once again our normal practice day. Kevin once again started his morning with a workout before we started our practice. We hit some balls, hammered out a solid chipping session, then finished the practice day with some putting. We finished up early this afternoon and headed home for some much needed rest.
We tee off tomorrow morning at 8:40 with Steve Wheatcroft and Jason Kokrak.
Valero Open - Final Round
Sunday's round was not our best effort. We struggled from the start. Playing from the woods on the first two holes got us over par early and we were two over through two holes. Kevin settled in and started hitting a lot quality shots. Unfortunately, the short game did not follow. We missed the green with a bunch of wedges, even including some chip shots. We were putting from 20-25 feet no matter if we hit the green from the fairway or chipping. That, as we found out, will make it a long day on the PGA Tour. The final round (77) bumped us back to a tie for 47th.
After the round, we packed up Kevin's clubs into my car and I hit the road for the 8 hour drive to New Orleans. Kevin was playing in a pro-am Monday morning so I drove the entire way Sunday night, arriving around 1:00am. Monday morning at 9am, we were back at it preparing for the Zurich Classic.
After the round, we packed up Kevin's clubs into my car and I hit the road for the 8 hour drive to New Orleans. Kevin was playing in a pro-am Monday morning so I drove the entire way Sunday night, arriving around 1:00am. Monday morning at 9am, we were back at it preparing for the Zurich Classic.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Valero Open - Third Round
Wow, what a difficult day. This course is tough enough without wind but when you add 25mph conditions, it is down right brutal.
Knowing it would be difficult, we got off to a solid start with two descent looks at birdie on the first two holes. All that changed quickly with two nine irons on the next two holes (3 and 4). On the par 3 third, playing straight down wind, a slightly thin nine iron failed to carry the water hazard, leading to a double bogey. On the very next hole, a solid nine iron was blown too far to the left, missing the green in the wrong position. We were unable to get the next shot on the green and then missed a 5 footer for bogey. The back to back doubles tested our patients. Knowing it was going to be difficult for everyone, we stayed committed to the process. After a poor 3-putt bogey on 8 had us 5 over par for the day, Kevin looked at me and told me he still felt like we could shoot 5 under on the back.
Well, he almost did it. Birdies on 12 and 14 and then a great eagle on 17 after driving the green for the second day in a row gave us 32 (-4) on the back nine. Kevin's one over par (73) kept pace on a difficult day. We are now tied for 21st and only 4 shots from 3rd place. The forecast tomorrow is for calmer conditions. We tee off at 10:15 with Nathan Green and Brendon Steele.
Knowing it would be difficult, we got off to a solid start with two descent looks at birdie on the first two holes. All that changed quickly with two nine irons on the next two holes (3 and 4). On the par 3 third, playing straight down wind, a slightly thin nine iron failed to carry the water hazard, leading to a double bogey. On the very next hole, a solid nine iron was blown too far to the left, missing the green in the wrong position. We were unable to get the next shot on the green and then missed a 5 footer for bogey. The back to back doubles tested our patients. Knowing it was going to be difficult for everyone, we stayed committed to the process. After a poor 3-putt bogey on 8 had us 5 over par for the day, Kevin looked at me and told me he still felt like we could shoot 5 under on the back.
Well, he almost did it. Birdies on 12 and 14 and then a great eagle on 17 after driving the green for the second day in a row gave us 32 (-4) on the back nine. Kevin's one over par (73) kept pace on a difficult day. We are now tied for 21st and only 4 shots from 3rd place. The forecast tomorrow is for calmer conditions. We tee off at 10:15 with Nathan Green and Brendon Steele.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Valero Open - Round Two
We had perfect conditions this morning for the opening nine holes. The winds started blowing as we made the turn and it turned downright ugly with about four holes left to play.
Kevin took advantage of the calm conditions birdieing three of the first eight holes and made the turn at three under par. Our first bogey came on 12 as the tee shot found the fairway bunker and we could not advance the ball to the green. We were able to get that shot back on the par 5 - 14th but a double bogey on the very next hole took away any momentum we gained. With the 15th hole turning back into the wind, a poor 4 iron from the fairway finished wide right of the green. With our only option being a pitch out backwards away from the green, we failed to get it up and down from 55 yards and made double. Play was suspended for a thunderstorm after we drove the green on the 347yd par 4 17th hole. After a 2 hour delay, Kevin was able to 2-putt for birdie and then made a nice up and down par save on 18. His 2 under par (70) put us at 1 under for the tournament.
With the afternoon wave still playing in the heavy winds, scores soared and Kevin's one under total has moved up into a tie for 16th. The second round was suspended due to darkness about 8pm and it will resume tomorrow morning at 7:30. Once play is completed, the cut will be made, tee times set and the third round is expected to begin around 9:45am with tee times going off of the 1st and 10th tees.
Kevin took advantage of the calm conditions birdieing three of the first eight holes and made the turn at three under par. Our first bogey came on 12 as the tee shot found the fairway bunker and we could not advance the ball to the green. We were able to get that shot back on the par 5 - 14th but a double bogey on the very next hole took away any momentum we gained. With the 15th hole turning back into the wind, a poor 4 iron from the fairway finished wide right of the green. With our only option being a pitch out backwards away from the green, we failed to get it up and down from 55 yards and made double. Play was suspended for a thunderstorm after we drove the green on the 347yd par 4 17th hole. After a 2 hour delay, Kevin was able to 2-putt for birdie and then made a nice up and down par save on 18. His 2 under par (70) put us at 1 under for the tournament.
With the afternoon wave still playing in the heavy winds, scores soared and Kevin's one under total has moved up into a tie for 16th. The second round was suspended due to darkness about 8pm and it will resume tomorrow morning at 7:30. Once play is completed, the cut will be made, tee times set and the third round is expected to begin around 9:45am with tee times going off of the 1st and 10th tees.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Valero Open - Round One
With the wind gusting and coming from the opposite direction then our practice rounds, we got off to a nice start with birdies on 10 and 11. Kevin's iron play was solid all day. He missed a few drives but he didn't miss an iron shot. His one over par (73) leaves us in 61st after round one.
Our troubles came from a few tee shots missed right. We missed the fairway on 15 into a right fairway bunker and another on number 1 into the right trees; both led to bogeys. One more tee shot right on number 4 finished in a lateral hazard in the right trees. After a penalty drop and then a chip out, we finished the hole with a double bogey.
After the round, we went to the range and worked with the driver. Kevin focused on the things he has been working on with Rickey and he straighten it out. After a bag of balls, we hit a few putts and called it a day. We tee off early tomorrow at 8:30.
Our troubles came from a few tee shots missed right. We missed the fairway on 15 into a right fairway bunker and another on number 1 into the right trees; both led to bogeys. One more tee shot right on number 4 finished in a lateral hazard in the right trees. After a penalty drop and then a chip out, we finished the hole with a double bogey.
After the round, we went to the range and worked with the driver. Kevin focused on the things he has been working on with Rickey and he straighten it out. After a bag of balls, we hit a few putts and called it a day. We tee off early tomorrow at 8:30.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Valero Texas Open (San Antonio, TX) - Practice Days
We had a good practice round Tuesday morning playing with Scott Brown and Bill Lunde. The TPC San Antonio is a very long golf course with difficult green complexes. Short game and putting will be tested this week so we have spent the majority of our practice time on the short game. Kevin has brought out an old putter that he had a lot of success with over his mini tour career. It is the same type (an Odyssey Two ball) that he has been using for the past year but it is a different style (blade). He seems to be much more consistant starting his ball on his intended line which is something he has struggled with over the past few months. We look forward to putting it to the test tomorrow.
Today, we had our normal Wednesday practice day. We spent the entire morning chipping, bunker play and putting. After a lunch break, we hit balls and then did some more chipping and putting. It was a great day practicing and preparing. We tee off tomorrow at 1:30 on number 10 with Garth Mulroy and Seung-Yul Noh.
Today, we had our normal Wednesday practice day. We spent the entire morning chipping, bunker play and putting. After a lunch break, we hit balls and then did some more chipping and putting. It was a great day practicing and preparing. We tee off tomorrow at 1:30 on number 10 with Garth Mulroy and Seung-Yul Noh.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Valero Texas Open - Monday
After 16 hours of driving on Sunday and then another 3 hours this morning (1259 miles), the Pontiac G6 rolled into the parking lot at the TPC of San Antonio at 9:45am. Kevin was playing in the pro-am starting at 11am. His flight was delayed this morning and he arrived just in time for the start. It was a good day, getting back to work and preparing for the week. After the pro-am, we finished the day with some range work and putting. We will get back at it tomorrow morning at 8am.
This week, I am fortunate to be staying at the home of Chip and Gay Saunders. They are members at Mimosa Hills in Morganton and they spend about half the year here in San Antonio. They are in Morganton this week, so I have the house to myself. With spending so many nights in hotels rooms, this is a great way to spend a week. It is now time to get some rest after two long days.
This week, I am fortunate to be staying at the home of Chip and Gay Saunders. They are members at Mimosa Hills in Morganton and they spend about half the year here in San Antonio. They are in Morganton this week, so I have the house to myself. With spending so many nights in hotels rooms, this is a great way to spend a week. It is now time to get some rest after two long days.
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