Pretty poor conditions for most of round 1 at Callawassie. The morning wave got the worst of the weather, luckily I missed the bad stuff teeing off in the afternoon but I was unable to capitalise on the opportunity.
Beginning on the 10th, I started off pretty well. I made 3 good 2-putts on the first 3 holes to stay at level. Was good to get the speed of the greens early in the round. I birdied the 13th (my 4th) holing from the fringe after a good second shot. I gave myself mid-range birdie opportunities at the next 3 holes but couldn't be too aggressive with the putts and was satisfied with my pars. The 17th doesn't fit my eye, I hit a good tee shot but a bit of an unconvincing lay up, and left myself 180 for my 3rd shot. (I did not have a great lie in the semi rough and therefore couldn't have gone for the carry) I then hit my first poor shot of the round, in the bunker short right with no green to work with. I took my medicine and ended up with a bogey. No problem. On 18 (my 9th) I pulled my iron fractionally and instead of catching the ridge and feeding to the pin, it hung up in the fringe and I was left with a stance impeded by the bunker. I wasn't able to get down in 2, so 1 over through 9. Not a bad score but definitely felt like I had left a couple out there.
On the front 9 (my back) I started off ok again. 3 pars at 1, 2, & 3. I was sticking to my routine and trying to play within myself. Kept telling myself to remain patient as I knew the scoring would not be very low. Unfortunately I did not manage to keep the steady play going. I left a 7 iron right on the 4th from a slightly awkward stance in the left rough, couldn't really get the pitch close and made a bogey. Then on the 6th I hit my only slightly wayward tee shot of the day. I guess it would be easy to say I didn't commit that well to the shot, but I did, I just didn't execute. A block to the right, a terrible bounce off the tree and path and a re-load after it rolled a yard out of bounds. I regrouped and made a par with the second ball but a 7 and two shots gone.
My last 3 holes I again didn't get up and down from short of the green on 7 and carelessly 3 putted the 9th hole (my last) to leave a very sour taste.
I feel like I threw away a pretty solid round today. I have to be more professional than that. I was happy with the way I stuck to my process, I picked my target and swung to that every shot and didn't get too wrapped up in the outcome. I did get a little rattled toward the end of my round, I felt like my nice calm ball flight had deserted me. I have to do a better job of that next time. I will learn from it.
Now I will have to shoot a good score tomorrow to get back in the tournament. I know I can do it. I just have to play clever, trust my swing and trust my putting.
I am sure I will get back to scoring properly soon.
8.30 tee time tomorrow.
Lee
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