The restart was 7am. We loaded up in the vans at 6:45 and headed out to the 6th green. Kevin had a downhill 12 footer for birdie to start the day. Unfortunately, the fresh, early morning green speed got us. Kevin hit a solid putt that ended up rolling past the hole and he could not make the par putt coming back. Unfazed, he stepped up and didn't miss a shot coming in. He birdied 7, rolled a 12 footer over the edge on 8, and birdied 9 to finish the day. The round of 8 under (64) puts us at -12 for the tournament.
Round 3 is estimated to start early afternoon. The field will be split, going off of both sides. I'm expecting our third round tee time will be around 2:30 - 3:00. If the weather holds off, we will have a chance to finish round 3 tonight and be back on track for Sunday.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
Viking Classic - Friday
Extremely long day. The day started with a one hour delay which turned into a 2 hour delay. The Tour needed extra time to prepare the course as a storm dropped 1.5 inches of rain during a 10 minute period over night. Unfortunately, we were already on the way to the course when the first announcement was made. We ended up arriving at the course at 7:30 for a revised 10:50 tee time. At least the British Open was on TV.
When the round finally got started, Kevin got off to a great start. Birdies on on the first three holes to start the round put us at 7 under for the tournament. A bogey on our fourth hole (13th) came when we caught a flier from the first cut of rough and a pitching wedge flew 140 yardages. Kevin hit a nice chip to 4 feet but failed to convert the up and down. The bogey was short lived and Kevin birdied the final three holes to finish the front nine in 5 under par. We were able to play two more holes until play was suspended due to a thunderstorm. After a 4 hour delay, played resumed at 5:45 local time. Kevin once again got off to a great start, hitting a wedge to 4 feet and made birdie. One more birdie on the par five 5th hole (our 14th) put us 7 under for the day. Play was once again suspended while we were playing our 15th hole. Kevin just hit another beautiful 9 iron to about 12 feet when the horn blew.
The Tour decided to suspend play for the night and the restart is scheduled for 7am tomorrow. Looking forward to a good night sleep.
When the round finally got started, Kevin got off to a great start. Birdies on on the first three holes to start the round put us at 7 under for the tournament. A bogey on our fourth hole (13th) came when we caught a flier from the first cut of rough and a pitching wedge flew 140 yardages. Kevin hit a nice chip to 4 feet but failed to convert the up and down. The bogey was short lived and Kevin birdied the final three holes to finish the front nine in 5 under par. We were able to play two more holes until play was suspended due to a thunderstorm. After a 4 hour delay, played resumed at 5:45 local time. Kevin once again got off to a great start, hitting a wedge to 4 feet and made birdie. One more birdie on the par five 5th hole (our 14th) put us 7 under for the day. Play was once again suspended while we were playing our 15th hole. Kevin just hit another beautiful 9 iron to about 12 feet when the horn blew.
The Tour decided to suspend play for the night and the restart is scheduled for 7am tomorrow. Looking forward to a good night sleep.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Viking Classic - First Round
It was a solid day (68) in very hot conditions. The heat takes so much out of you, we are all pretty tired.
Kevin got off to a great start with birdies on 1, 5 and 6. A few missed opportunities on the par 5's stalled the momentum a little. We were able to get the ball around the green on the par 5's but failed to convert the up and downs. Other then that, every part of the game was solid. Kevin is in total control of his ball striking and it was fun to watch. After the round, we hit a few extra putts and then called it a night.
We tee off tomorrow morning at 8:50am.
Kevin got off to a great start with birdies on 1, 5 and 6. A few missed opportunities on the par 5's stalled the momentum a little. We were able to get the ball around the green on the par 5's but failed to convert the up and downs. Other then that, every part of the game was solid. Kevin is in total control of his ball striking and it was fun to watch. After the round, we hit a few extra putts and then called it a night.
We tee off tomorrow morning at 8:50am.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Viking Classic (Jackson, MS) - Practice Days
As you all know by now, we shot even par on Friday and missed the cut last week at the John Deere Classic. It was discouraging since our ball striking was as good as I have seen in two years. A late bogey on 17 forced our hand and we finished with a bogey on 18 after hitting an aggressive shot at the pin knowing we needed a birdie to make the cut. It was a tough way to miss the cut but we applied what we have learned into this week of preparation.
On Saturday, Kevin signed up for a pro-am in Davenport, IA. After the pro-am, we hopped into my car and started our 12 hour drive to Jackson, MS. We drove 8 hours, made it to Memphis, TN shortly before midnight and stopped for the night. Sunday we finished our trip and took the day off from practice.
Kevin's instructor flew in Monday morning and I met them at the club about 11am. Holy HOT!! The heat index this week will be hovering around 105 - 110 degrees. Kevin played in the Monday pro-am and he continued hitting the ball solid. We are focusing our practice this week on wedge play and short game. Rickey just wanted Kevin to maintain his width and stay patient at the top of his swing.
Because of the heat, Kevin decided to play nine hole practice rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday at sunrise. We met about 6am each morning, played nine holes, and then finished our practice session with wedges, chips and putting. We were done by 10:30 each day and then Kevin went to the fitness trailer for a workout. Rickey is very encouraged with everything that he sees and just wants us to focus on a few simple thoughts - keep the width and stay patient. We tee off tomorrow at 1:40 with Jarrod Lyle and Monday Qualifier, Matt Fast. I just hope the thunderstorms stay away and allow us to finish the day before dark.
On Saturday, Kevin signed up for a pro-am in Davenport, IA. After the pro-am, we hopped into my car and started our 12 hour drive to Jackson, MS. We drove 8 hours, made it to Memphis, TN shortly before midnight and stopped for the night. Sunday we finished our trip and took the day off from practice.
Kevin's instructor flew in Monday morning and I met them at the club about 11am. Holy HOT!! The heat index this week will be hovering around 105 - 110 degrees. Kevin played in the Monday pro-am and he continued hitting the ball solid. We are focusing our practice this week on wedge play and short game. Rickey just wanted Kevin to maintain his width and stay patient at the top of his swing.
Because of the heat, Kevin decided to play nine hole practice rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday at sunrise. We met about 6am each morning, played nine holes, and then finished our practice session with wedges, chips and putting. We were done by 10:30 each day and then Kevin went to the fitness trailer for a workout. Rickey is very encouraged with everything that he sees and just wants us to focus on a few simple thoughts - keep the width and stay patient. We tee off tomorrow at 1:40 with Jarrod Lyle and Monday Qualifier, Matt Fast. I just hope the thunderstorms stay away and allow us to finish the day before dark.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
John Deere Classic - First Round
Kevin shot 2 under par 69. We left some shots out there but he rolled the putter good and was able to make 6 birdies to offset the 4 bogeys. We had a couple of bad swings on two par 3's that led to bogeys and one more bogey from 96 yards. If we clean that up and keep it rolling, we will jump right up that board.
The new ball performed awesome. It's really hot off the driver when he hits it solid and also maintains its flight when it is slightly miss hit. It was nice to see a few slightly missed shots carry the distance. Distance control is so important out here and this new ball seems to help with consistency.
After the round, Kevin was selected for the Tour drug testing. He had to go for the test right after signing his scorecard. With the late tee time and finishing so late, we did not have time to practice. We will go back at it in the morning. Our tee time is 8:40.
The new ball performed awesome. It's really hot off the driver when he hits it solid and also maintains its flight when it is slightly miss hit. It was nice to see a few slightly missed shots carry the distance. Distance control is so important out here and this new ball seems to help with consistency.
After the round, Kevin was selected for the Tour drug testing. He had to go for the test right after signing his scorecard. With the late tee time and finishing so late, we did not have time to practice. We will go back at it in the morning. Our tee time is 8:40.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
John Deere Classic - Tuesday and Wednesday
We met up around noon on Tuesday. Did a little practice and then went out for a practice round. We played with Garrett Willis and Jim Herman. We noticed the greens were much firmer this afternoon then they were yesterday. I'm sure with the cooler temperatures forecast for the week, the Tour will put minimal water on them and firm it up even more by Thursday. After our practice round, we went for some more range work. The Nike staff also wanted to make sure the new ball was performing for Kevin, so they tested a few 7 irons and drivers on the launch monitor. The numbers were exactly what we were seeing on the course. The new ball will be put into play this week.
When I left Kevin last night, we had the plan of playing an early morning nine hole practice round before the pro-am. I woke up at 4:30, showered, dressed and headed out to the club. At 5:30, as I sat in caddy parking, waiting for the shuttle to the clubhouse, I decided to look at my phone. I noticed a text message from Kevin. He sent it last night, it said "sleep in and ill c u abt 9". How am I doing? Nothing like showing up to work 3 1/2 hours early!! Last night I went to bed early...never heard my phone...never thought about checking it for messages. Since my hotel is about 20-25 minutes away, I decide to head over to Denny's for breakfast. Killed as much time as I could, read the paper, pondered the Caylee Anthony Trial, posted on facebook, checked twitter, etc, etc. Finally 9am rolled around and we had our normal Wednesday practice routine. Kevin is swinging it good and rolling it good.
We tee off tomorrow afternoon at 1:55 on number 10 with Fran Quinn and Monday qualifier, Brain Maurer. Time to make some birdies!!
When I left Kevin last night, we had the plan of playing an early morning nine hole practice round before the pro-am. I woke up at 4:30, showered, dressed and headed out to the club. At 5:30, as I sat in caddy parking, waiting for the shuttle to the clubhouse, I decided to look at my phone. I noticed a text message from Kevin. He sent it last night, it said "sleep in and ill c u abt 9". How am I doing? Nothing like showing up to work 3 1/2 hours early!! Last night I went to bed early...never heard my phone...never thought about checking it for messages. Since my hotel is about 20-25 minutes away, I decide to head over to Denny's for breakfast. Killed as much time as I could, read the paper, pondered the Caylee Anthony Trial, posted on facebook, checked twitter, etc, etc. Finally 9am rolled around and we had our normal Wednesday practice routine. Kevin is swinging it good and rolling it good.
We tee off tomorrow afternoon at 1:55 on number 10 with Fran Quinn and Monday qualifier, Brain Maurer. Time to make some birdies!!
Monday, July 4, 2011
John Deere Classic (Moline, IL) - Monday Practice
I took the 12 hour drive yesterday (Sunday) arriving about 8pm. Kevin flew in this morning. We met about 10am at the club and worked with the Nike staff. Kevin wanted to test a new ball that just came out and also find a new hybrid / 2 iron. During testing, we found that the new ball has a flatter ball flight and there was more consistency with distance control. This ball flight seems to give Kevin a few more yards on all his clubs and allows the driver to "chase" down the fairway when it lands. After a few tries with some new hybrids and a 2 iron, it seems like Kevin hits the "traditional" 2 iron better then any of the hybrids that were built for him. The 2 iron has the same look as the rest of his irons and for whatever reason, he hits it better.
After a late lunch, we did some short game practice - putting, chipping and bunker play. The Monday pro-am finished about 3:30, so we went out and played a nine hole practice round. We played the back nine and continued testing the new ball. The ball performed nicely around the greens and Kevin could not see any difference in feel on and around the greens. We finished just before 6pm and called it a day. Kevin had a long day after waking up at 4:30am for his early morning flight. We will meet tomorrow late morning and do it all over again.
After a late lunch, we did some short game practice - putting, chipping and bunker play. The Monday pro-am finished about 3:30, so we went out and played a nine hole practice round. We played the back nine and continued testing the new ball. The ball performed nicely around the greens and Kevin could not see any difference in feel on and around the greens. We finished just before 6pm and called it a day. Kevin had a long day after waking up at 4:30am for his early morning flight. We will meet tomorrow late morning and do it all over again.
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