ROUND 1 (Thursday, July 22nd):

Though my warm-ups were reasonable (meaning I had just settled on a particular “band-aid” swing that (sometimes) produces a (sometimes) repeatable hard cut), it was somewhat difficult to tell. The wind was blowing at about 15-20 mph off the North Sea, straight across the practice tee from left to right – the worst wind for me to practice in because it only accentuates my issue of lifting and getting steep through the ball. It was cold as well, with the temperatures in the upper 50’s to low 60’s, but with that consistent breeze off the water and little sun. I was wearing a tee shirt, golf shirt and sweater vest – a “wee bit” cooler and the pullover would have come on as well.
I was a little nervous on the first tee – the last time I played an event was the Senior State Open last September, and even then I don’t think I was struggling quite as badly with my swing. To put things in perspective, I realize that most of these guys played their last event week before last and that Wednesday’s practice round was actually the first time all year I had played 3 days in a row! But that still did not make it OK for me to play poorly – I wanted to play well enough to make the cut, to play well for everyone who came over to see me, and to “feel” competitive again.
I am not sure of the gentleman’s name, but those who have watched The Open have heard his voice announcing players on the first tee with tremendous British high-pitched inflection in his voice. He was there to announce us as well – that was a lot of fun – in front of the hotel and the patio dining area. It was time – 3:10.
I had a good plan until I hit my tee shot on the first hole with a 3-wood left into the burn (that Tiger hit into the last time the Open was here – at least I am with good company in that regard). Unfortunately, the burn is out of bounds. After re-loading, I make a 6. Nice start. Though I was not especially nervous on the tee, my swing right now will result in atrocious shots with just a little bit of added quickness or anxiety – and I am sure that both jumped in there at the wrong time! I am just glad I did not hurt anyone…
Though I did bounce right back and make a 30 footer for birdie at number 2 (the crowd of 9 went wild – the Hourigan clan, the Wrenn clan and my sister and brother-in-law who made the trip over). I was glad to at least get a birdie, right the ship and move in a positive direction. Unfortunately, that was short lived. I hit a 4-iron off the tee on #3 and pulled it into one of their famous pot bunkers. After pitching out, I hit a 9-iron about 10 feet but could not convert it – one of only 2 putts I hit today that I was tentative on. On hole #4 I pulled another tee shot (seems to be a pattern here…) into a burn. OK, it is really a drainage ditch, and literally only about 2 feet wide and cut straight down on the sides – no chance of playing out of it. So I drop out, hit 9-iron to about 3’ and make the putt for par (!). #5 I elected to hit 3-wood off the tee (you know – the one I hit so straight off of #1?) to keep it short of fairway bunkers. I was successful, but only hit it about 210 back into the ocean breeze and I was left with a 5-iron out of the 1st cut of rough down the right side. Again, I pulled it about 30’ left of the green, but after putting from there I converted a 10’ putt for par.
OK, 2 over after 4 and hanging in there by my finger tips. The par 5 sixth hole – Hogan’s Alley (named so for Ben Hogan because in the 1953 Open he drove the ball 4 consecutive days into the fairway left of the fairway bunkers – only about 25 yards wide and with OB immediately to the left of that). Mark and I discussed the options off the tee – it was straight downwind and if you can drive the ball into Hogan’s Alley, you can reach the green in two. The other options are to hit a fairway wood down the right side of the bunkers that gives you an opportunity with another fairway wood to possibly reach the green in two, but more likely lay up for a wedge (because there is another burn down the right side that sneaks into play) – but it brings the pot bunkers into play off the tee. The third option, and safest, is to hit about a 4-iron off the tee and that will leave a mid-iron layup shot. The problem is that you will still have a third shot of about 150-175 yards. It is a great par 5 – one of the best I have ever seen because it is so full of options.
I decided to go with driver, because it would be fairly easy to make birdie if I drive it in the fairway. Though it was a gamble, it was straight downwind and that usually minimizes the curve on a ball. Unfortunately, it doesn’t do a thing for a dead pull. OB. I lay up my provisional with a 4-iron and make 7. After making a birdie at the par 3 seventh, I already had on my card for the day a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and a 7 along with 2 OB and another penalty shot. Other than that, how did you enjoy the play Mrs. Lincoln?
I won’t go through the balance of the round except to say that I did add another birdie (on 14 – Spectacles for the 2 large bunkers that prevent you from seeing the green from the fairway – I play my best golf blind!), another penalty stroke (in the burn on 17) and assorted bogeys on my way in. After a 4-wood approach on 18 into the right bunker and saving par, it added up to 78, +7. I am somewhat embarrassed by the score, but I tried hard on every shot and did not (outwardly) get upset. I was most impressed by my gallery and the fact they walked every step of the way and kept their enthusiasm throughout the round. I was especially proud of Grace Hourigan (age 12). Surrounded by boys this entire trip, she has been a real trouper and has been a spark plug for us out on the course. It is fun to see my boys in the gallery as well – this is one of the few times they have ever seen me play in a tournament, and this is by far the biggest event they have ever witnessed. They all seem to be having a good time – I just hope to give them a “wee bit more” to cheer for in round 2.