Went up to course at 6:30 to practice, but back nine was open, so jumped out of the car and went to 10th. No warm up, no practice swings, just teed it up and off I went. Unfortunately, that first swing wasn't yet in any sort of groove and hit a weak fade, barely over the right fairway bunker. Got to the rough on the far side of the bunker with a very tough uneven lie. Missed green left, chipped and two-putted for bogey. Okay, first hole, no practice, what do you expect?
Thought about what I did wrong on the first drive and was able to fix it and hit a great drive--with a little draw--on the 11th. Only 80 yards to pin. Tried to go easy with a SW and flew it over the pin to the back of the green, one bounce and off. Had a tricky, slightly downhill chip which I couldn't stop coming out of the rough which just winked at the hole as it rolled past about 8 feet. Two-putt bogey. Disappointing after such a good drive.
Then hit another draw with 3W off the tee on 12. 21* approach went into front bunker, then 58 sand shot to 3 feet and a par save. Things went fairly well after that. Birdie on 13. Should have been a birdie on 14, but choked on the easy 6 foot putt. For the most part, putting was pretty good tonight. Iron ball-striking continues to be good. Driver swing seemed solid again. Hit 3 or 4 draws.
Needed to ice right shoulder again tonight, even though only nine holes. Been playing and practicing a lot over the last 5 or 6 days.
