Pass the Dramamine

(Photo by Robert Salas)

Day two in Kingwood proved to be little different than day one. A 9:15 departure from the 10th tee immediately sent me right, just like the day before. After a terrible second shot, I was left with about 50 yards from a bunker for my third into the short par 5. A brilliant touch from the soft sand left me a difficult 7 footer for birdie which I promptly poured into the center of the hole. I started to think that maybe this good start would allow me to settle in and play the rock solid round of golf I know I am capable of. Unfortunately, that story has to wait at least one more day, because today the roller coaster continued and I was pleased to get off before throwing up...

My great start continued as I was 2 under par through 5 holes before inexplicably flying a 6 iron clear over the green from 190 yards into the wind which settled in a flower bed and led to a double bogey which cost me all of my insurance runs. From there I struggled for par a few times and completed my first nine at even par.

My second nine started like my first, with a birdie. Unfortunately it only lasted one hole as I drove it left for the first time the whole tournament on the second hole. However, I rebounded instantly and made birdie on the par 5 third. All was well until the difficult par 3 sixth, which shows more water than grass. Another poor swing found the water and after a drop I wedged to 25 feet which was miraculously holed for a bogey and I returned yet again to even par. Another tee shot lost to the right on the 7th found the trees and I was blocked out. It appeared I could easily be over par for the first time all day unless I did something special. After a short pep talk from Robert, I chose to attempt a 40 yard slice with a 7-iron around the trees obstructing me from the green that sat 175 yards away. The shot was executed beautifully. It took off against azure sky and immediately took a right turn around the trees and toward the green. All I could ask for was a chance to make an up and down and save par but my ball managed to hop and roll all the way onto the front of the green. Still 60 feet away, Robert reminded me, "This putt is slow, get it to the hole, drop a bomb!" I did, dead center. Back to one under par for the day with my 5th birdie. I missed the 8th green in a bunker and made another save from a precarious position. Two good shots on the final hole left me just 18 feet away from the score I shot on the first day. A pure putt just slid by the right edge, peeking into the hole before lipping out.

I would have to settle for a one under par 71, but yet again today could have been a lot worse. Thanks to a nearly flawless short game I was able to keep the damage to a minimum when I made mistakes and capitalize with birdies when I made good swings. Even though it was another roller coaster ride that I'd prefer not to have, I am tied for 14th, and still in position to make the cut and move on to Stage two next month. Tomorrow will be a good test for everyone in the field as the wind is supposed to pick up to about 25 MPH and blow the opposite direction. "Moving Day" will be pivotal to everyones success in this tournament. In tomorrow's wind I will try to keep the ball low, but I will be moving up the leaderboard.