Q-School Finals Heartbreaker

PAINFUL I am sure that everyone has seen the final results from today and knows that we missed earning our PGA Tour Card for 2013 by one shot. Kevin shot five under par (67) on the fifth round and continued to climb right up the board. A total of 18 under over the last three rounds put us in 17th place; one shot inside the top 25 when the day started. 

Kevin played well today. Three birdies and three bogeys on the front nine had us turning at even par for the day. Even though we made three bogeys, only one came from a poor swing. After a birdie on the second hole, we drove it into the rough on three and it forced us to play our second shot short right of the green. We were unable to get that up and down but Kevin came right back with another great birdie on the par 3 fourth. That birdie was short lived as we decided to play our second shot on the reachable par 5 fifth at the green. Playing from 236 yards to the front and a water hazard right, we decided the best play would be a three wood left of the green and then try to get the ball up and down for birdie. Kevin hit a flush three wood but the ball never turned left and it landed about a yard short of the green in to the water hazard. That mistake led to the second bogey for the day. After two good pars on 6 and 7, Kevin made a great up and down on the par 5 eighth to get us back to one under par. But once again, that birdie was short lived when the first poor swing of the day came when the second shot missed the green right on nine. That bogey moved us back to even as we made the turn to the back nine. 

The back nine was just a bunch of missed opportunities. Kevin hit and drove the ball great. The only struggles came from a few wedge shots not going the correct yardages and then the putts not falling. Kevin fought hard and handled the pressure like a true champion. On one of the toughest finishing holes in golf, knowing we needed birdie, Kevin stood up and hit a perfect drive and then an 8 iron to ten feet. Just like Finals in 2009, we had a 10 footer to get his Card. A great putt that refused to break and rolled over the top edge of the cup. A total of 416 shots (16 under par) over six rounds of golf and we fall one shot short.

The feelings are awful. Almost a numbness and disbelief, maybe a bit of shock. And I'm just the caddy. I can't imagine what Kevin is feeling. So, now, I sit here in the Phoenix Airport waiting on my flight home. It's a "red-eye" but I don't think I'll get much sleep. It hurts. It brings tears to my eyes. It sucks. But I guess I have to remember that it's still just a game. I've been blessed to be able to travel the world, playing it professionally for 12 years and caddying for 7 years. I truly love my job and when it is all said and done, I wouldn't trade this for anything else. 

I want to thank great friends, Rick and Bev Newsome, that came all the way from Victoria, Canada and Harry Robinson, who drove seven hours from Pebble Beach, CA to support Kevin and myself over the past few days. It was great to see and spent time with you guys. I also want to thank each and everyone of you that continue to read my blog. The support is overwhelming. I hope everyone has a blessed Christmas. Thanks again for your support.

Q-School Finals - 3rd and 4th Rounds

Kevin made the move we needed to get back into the game!! His 13 under par over the last two rounds (66 - 65) puts us at 11 under total and only one shot off the "top 25" which stands at 12 under with two rounds to play.

The amazing part of the whole thing is Kevin's great play comes while not feeling well. He woke up during the night on Thursday with a fever but started to feel better as the day (Friday) went on. Symptoms came back last night (Friday) and he had a terrible night trying to get some rest. He was extremely tired all day today and things did not improve through round. We just kept the fluids in him and he was able to get through the day.

We tee off tomorrow on the Nicklaus Tournament course at 8:20. Let's hope some medicine tonight will help him get some rest and start feeling better.

Tour School Finals - Second Round

Two bad swings and one bad break lead to three golf balls into water hazards. The day got started with the opening tee shot finding the water. After a drop, Kevin made a great up and down from 120 yards and saved a bogey. We were able to get it back to even for the day when we arrived at the island green, par three, 17th (our 8th hole). A pull hooked iron did not find land and we finished the hole with a double. Another double bogey came on our 16th hole after a perfect drive found a sand filled divot in the middle of the fairway. We didn't catch it clean coming out of the divot and the ball failed to cover the water hazard short of the green. At the end of the day, it all added up to a three over round (75).

With perfect weather conditions, the scores for the first two days have been very good. With four rounds left, we will need something special to get us back into the mix. We will play the Dye Stadium course tomorrow and then the Nicklaus Tournament course on Saturday. Our tee time is 10:00 tomorrow.

Tour School Finals - First Round

It has been a tough few weeks. I drove home from Second Stage in Houston, TX and within two days, the entire family had the flu. We spent Thanksgiving week in the bed or on the couch. I flew out here to Palm Springs on Saturday but I'm still feeling the effects from the flu. I have not been able to regain my strength and have been extremely tired every night. So, with that being said, I'm going to try and keep the blogs short.

Kevin had three great practice days leading up to the first round today. We played the Nicklaus Tournament course and the weather was perfect. Kevin got off to a nice start, making the turn in three under. Things turned a little sloppy on the back. After going for the par five, 11th, we finished pin high right in two shots. Playing the third shot from a deep valley, Kevin's pitch shot was hit "thin" and shot across the green into a green side bunker. We were unable to get that up and down, finishing the hole with a bogey six. Two more bogeys and one birdie gave us a two over back nine and one under (71) for the round. 

After the round, we had some lunch and then practiced. We switch over to the Dye Stadium course tomorrow, so I went out and walked the course; checking pin positions, figuring out a game plan, etc. Kevin was still practicing when I finished. The sun was setting and it was getting dark, so we both called it a day. After a quick dinner and shower, it is time for a long nights rest. We tee off tomorrow at 9:30.

Second Stage Q-School - Third Round

We didn't play well today. We started off struggling with the ball striking early in the round. Some pull hooks with the driver that led to penalty shots and a few loose irons gave us three bogeys through seven holes. Kevin was able to work through it and steadied the ship. Two late birdies on the 15th and 16th holes got us back to even par for the day and that's where we finished (72). Our nine under total still keeps us in great position to advance. We are tied for sixth and four shots clear of the "number".

After the round, Kevin went through a few putting drills and then hit some balls. We focused on ball position and the pace off the ball. I thought he looked quick in the first move off the ball which effects the entire tempo of the swing. He also felt like his ball position was a little off so we just made sure it was where he wanted it to be. A round of golf is always about making adjustments. Kevin made the changes and was able to save the round. It was a hard fought day and we are pleased with the even par.

We tee off tomorrow at 10:10. Benji and his man shot the same score (72), so we will once again be paired together tomorrow. I look forward to another day of learning from one of the best club caddies in the world

Second Stage Q-School - Round Two

Kevin played well again today. With lighter winds but still cold temperatures, Kevin played solid, shooting five under par (67). Teeing off the back nine, we made the turn four under but had an up and down back nine which included four birdies, one bogey and one double. The double came from a poor swing with an 8 iron that was pull hooked into a greenside bunker and plugged. Kevin was not able to get the ball out of the trap and then failed to get the next bunker shot up and down. He bounced back nicely, with birdies on four of the next six holes. We finished the day with a bogey on the last after our drive found the right rough. With a little bit of tree trouble, we missed the green and couldn't get it up and down. It was a tough way to finish but our nine under total puts us only one shot off the lead with two rounds to play.

For the second week in a row, I get to caddy with my roommate. This week, I'm rooming with Benji Thompson. Benji caddied the year for Casey Wittenberg on the Web.Com Tour. They finished number one on that money list and will be spending next year on the PGA Tour. Since he is such a great caddy, Phillip Molica called Benji and asked him to come work second stage. They are also at nine under par through two rounds and tied with us. Can't wait to get out there tomorrow and learn a little something from my boy, Benji. 

2nd Stage Q-School - First Round

It was another cold and windy day. When we started today, temps were around 40 degrees and the wind was blowing a steady 15mph, making it feel like the upper 30's. Kevin played great all day. He only made one poor swing. It came off the 15th tee. We caught a break and had an opening to the green and still had a 20 foot putt for birdie. He managed his game perfect today, hitting 15 greens and putting the ball in the correct spots for easy up and downs. He was able to make four birdies with no bogeys for 68.

After the round, we had some lunch and then a light practice session. The winds have calmed down but the temps were still cold. We went through some putting drills and then hit some balls before calling it a day. We tee off tomorrow at 10:00. The forecast for the rest of the week has cool temperatures but calmer winds.