Hello everyone from the first event of 2020!
Well, it was supposed to be my second, but a bad bout of the flu kept me from going to the Sony Open… which may have been a blessing in disguise, as the winds were upwards of 40mph and I got a few extra days to prepare for the 3 golf courses in the “golf dome” that we call La Quinta!
I was able to tighten up the few last loose nuts and bolts in my game and was really excited to get going here. I played the event two years ago and missed the cut, so I was looking for redemption. I had a solid 3 under par round at La Quinta CC to open my season, though I felt I played way better than I scored. I drove the ball spectacularly in particular.
My second round was where I “made my hay” on the Nicklaus Tournament Course, the site of my fourth collegiate win in 2015. I made 8 birdies and one bogey to shoot 65 and vault into a tie for 12th place. The following day I played the more difficult Stadium course, and got off to a great start but faltered on the back 9. The greens got extremely firm as I was the last group on the golf course, and I ended up finishing at one-under par. I even one-hopped a wedge in the hole that spun back out!
The final round again I got off to a great start, but the putter wouldn’t cooperate. I hit the ball so solidly but just couldn’t get any putts to drop from 7-15’. I flagged a few shots for birdies, but an unfortunate double bogey on the last hole dropped me back to 2 under par for the day, 13 for the tournament and in a tie for 37th.
While disappointed with my overall finish, I was encouraged by my game and my ball-striking. It was an uncharacteristically slow week with the putter, but I was excited to get another crack at it next week at Torrey Pines!
It was also really cool to see Callaway advertising their newest driver, the MAVRIK- I am currently testing it, and have seen upwards of 10 yards more carry… we are just trying to find the best shaft to match it.
Thanks again for all your support!
Maverick