Round 1 at Kilderry was always going to be tough mainly because it is a tough course anyway but also because it was firm /fast conditions which I am struggling on big time to get used to again. From the start I knew that keeping bogeys off the card was key so I sort of felt very pleased to get through the first 2 holes in par even though I found deep rough twice and sand once. From there the game was quite good , good scrambling where needed and a good finish to end with 10 under. The highlight being a 3rd shot on a par 5 from deep rough in a [censored] to 7 feet and a bird. I looked at Giller's score and we were level after round 1.
Off to Royal Wessex which can be a grave yard if you are not careful. I had a great start with early birds but the snap was intermittent and my key memories were the par 5's which I played really badly. Every one was a miss snap off the T into deep rough and apart from the first of them I only made pars which isnt good. 10 under going to the par 18 I knew I had scored well and was hoping for the icing on the cake. A bad snap found the deep stuff and after much thought i went to get as close to the green as I could. Another bad snap put me in water so on this one up and down from a long way for par was a bonus and 10 under I was happy with, especially with 2 bogeys in it. I looked at Giller's score and we were level after round 2.
Off to Doral , which I dont think I have played for years and certainly not in champ mode. I remember little of the round except that the bunkers are well placed on every hole to catch any miss snap with a driver. So I didn't use one much! Played pretty well then on 18 at -13 I found deep rough ( who chose these courses with all the deep rough!). Direct to the pin was over water but , in theory at least , a good shot with a 5w would clear that. Question is would a miss snap as I did on 18 at Wessex. The answer after an early snap was only just as the ball hit short of the green , bounced left towards water and somehow stopped on a perch about a yard fro the lake. A good up and down for -13. I looked at Giller's score and we were level after round 3.
Finally Melbourne and I knew what score I needed and on a course where if the game was good I knew I could get it.Well the game wasnt great sadly and after 11 holes every approach shot was a miss snap. So instead of likely easy putts I was left with nothing inside 15 feet and up to 27 feet. I holed quite a few to be 10 under after 11. Very nice and on target and then finally a perfect snap on the short par 4 12th to just 13 feet. Typically I missed that one and from that one shot the game dropped away badly for 2 holes but the scrambling got me pars. A good approach at 15 but another miss snap putt from 13 feet left me at -11 after 15.
Now or never time and 2 good holes ( no putting required
) and I need a bird at 18 so it was good time to bottle it and stuff one into the rough. An excellent approach then left me a virtually straight putt from 16 feet. How hard is a straight putt in champ or elite when you really need it?Well it was par and -13 and looking at Gillers final score we were dead level after round 4 with 4 identical rounds.
Good fun Col. I asked once before if it was possible to see another players rounds as I would love to see the make up of Col's 4 rounds but I can't remember the answer. I assume it isnt possible yet.
Doug