So I snuck out and played 18 this morning. How can I guy watch that much golf and not wanna go play. The results were less than stellar. Quite boring. I shot a 78 with pars and bogeys. Ball striking was great with the irons. I watched the pros and remembered that tempo kinda matters, and that I don’t have to take a full swing every shot.
Enough about my golf game and on to more important matters. Day 3 at the Senior PGA in Louisville, KY at Valhalla Golf Club. As I arrived the leaders were making their way to number 3. I grabbed my usual spot on the right hand side of number 7. I met my usual crew, but also ran into an old golfing buddy. I tagged along with he and his dad for most of the duration.
My biggest takeaway from number 7 is that high wet rough, tucked pins, water and tight lies are tough even for the best in the world. While watching all the leaders come through number 7, I saw Mark O’Meara thin a wedge off a wet matted lie. I saw Bobby Clampett do the reverse. He chunked one. Then thinned the next. I saw the leader at the time Murota plug an approach then hood a wedge out. I watched several pitches off tight lies that came up way short, or had the sod laid over them ( as we amateurs like to say). After watching the leaders come through that area we headed to the area between 13 and 18.
On 13 we watched the leaders hit their approaches into the island green while turning to watch players bomb it toward 18. Did I mentioned yet that I am developing a man crush on Tom Watson? Tom (we’re way past the Mr. Watson thing) had birdied 9 and 12 before hitting what appeared to be a thin shot over the back of 13 green. In Watson fashion he got it up and in. I wonder how many times he’s done that in the clutch. Another player that has my attention this week is Peter Senior. He manages a course really well. It’s like he dissects it. Yesterday he was bogey free. Today he closed with a birdie for a round of 1 under. He’s only 5 back. With tough conditions you never know.
I also love Loren Roberts game. It seemed he was a little upset by some of his wedge shots. For Loren Roberts upset means shaking his head. For some others like Hale Irwin it meant tossing a club, swinging it hard in the rough and pounding the sand in a bunker. All performed during a double bogey on the last. He seems a little too amped up for me. I kind of remember that from when I was a kid, although I tried to forget it for the first 2 and 17/18 rounds.
Other notable happenings. Tom Lehman made 6 birdies in a row starting on number 9. Wow!
The guys running the 18th hole scoreboard need some help. They had Loren Roberts in with a 209 with an eagle on the last as he stood over his 18 foot birdie putt. Also, as he stared at the scoreboard. Bad omen. They also had Irwin at -10 under after his closing double. Where I was taught arithmetic 11 minus 2 equals 9. Maybe not on Saturdays though.
Right after the round I was reminded of these players and their dedication. Many of the top leaders were on the range within minutes of finishing. I rode 18 holes in cart at age 35 and I couldn’t imagine hitting another ball. What a wimp I am.
I’m pulling for Watson, (did I mention I’m developing a man crush on him?) then Roberts, then Lehman, then Perry and Peter Senior. Wouldn’t mind if Price or Pavin snuck in there. My man Schulz had a rough one but I’d love to see him go low and close well tomorrow.
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