The Memorial (Columbus, OH) - First Round

Kevin did not arrive until Tuesday so I spent Monday doing all of my course work. I walked the front nine by myself and then helped out William McGirt by caddying for him on the back. His caddy was not getting into town until Tuesday and he wanted to play nine holes. We played the back as he gave me insight on how each hole played. This will be William's third visit here so I was able to get some valuable information about how the course plays.

Kevin arrived mid afternoon on Tuesday after a few flight delays. We had a quick warm up and played the front nine by ourselves. Rather then rushing around and trying to play 18, he decided to spend extra time around each green chipping and putting. Because the Memorial only has a morning pro am on Wednesday, we were able to play the back nine Wednesday afternoon. Kevin had a great time playing with the Georgia Tech boys (Roberto Castro, Bryce Molder and Chesson Hadley). 

Thursday's round started a 8:59 on number 10. This golf course will test every facet of your game - mental and physical. There is no "faking it" around here and it will test patience. That patience was tested early and often but he battled through it and finished like a champ. An early bogey on the par five 11th after a miscue coming out of the rough led to the first bogey of the day. A great wedge on 14 followed by two more great shots on the par five 15th gave us two birdies in a row and had us at one under through six. The patience was once again tested through the middle of the round after a bogey on 17, a 10 foot par save on 18, and another bogey after driving it two inches into the rough on number one. But he showed some maturity and fought through it, making four birdies on his final eight holes. His three under (69) put us T-11th after the first round. 

After the round, we had a light practice session hitting a few balls with some chipping and bunker work. Brittany had a scheduled doctors appointment today and Kevin was looking forward to hearing about how it went. When we finished practicing, Kevin checked his phone and all is good back home. Brittany is dilated to 2cm. Exciting times!!