Pinehurst, that foul smelling wench. Once again I had a chance to finally realize my dream of a bogey free round, and in true Inigo fashion I manage to snatch brutal defeat from the clutches of victory.
On 2 I hit a brilliant 3w into a stiff Nor'Easter, coming to a stop 12 feet from the cup. Staying true to form, I leave the try a foot short and tap in for Par. replay.aspx?ID=845e50c0 1cc7 4e34 8ef8 a38200353f1b
On 4 I have another right to left stiff headwind. I land my 60 degree wedge 5 or 6 feet pin high left. VERY nasty putt with lots of break, but somehow my line holds and I save Par. Huzzah!!!! Rest of the f9 is uneventful, although IIRC I did manage one or two Birds.
On 10 I somehow seem to always hit the wrong spot, and roll off the green. No exception here, as I miss again. But I get up and down for Par.
I hit a simply perfect 3i on 12, coming to rest just 8 feet from the cup. Not close enough to be a makable putt - not for me at least - and I sulk to the 13th after 2 putting for par. replay.aspx?ID=d8f45260 53a5 4491 82ae a382003dc838
On 15 I badly shank my tee shot long and right, into 40%/50% rough. Ouch!!!! Things are looking bleak, but I hit a great 60 degree flop to inside 5 feet to save Par.
And that brings me to 16. The dreaded, demonic, soul crushing, accursed 16th. Yet another right to left head wind off the tee. Out *&^%ing standing. No problems, I find the fairway. No problems on my 3w approach either. 26 yards to the pin, about a foot and a quarter below the hole IIRC. I take out my 29 yard flop wedge, and still being terrified of cranking one well past the hole for a sure fire bogey, I manage to come up a good 9.5 feet short. Son of a $%^&*. I try to convince myself that its an uphill putt, it isn't supposed to have severe break. The dots aren't moving fast enough I tell myself, it isn't supposed to have severe break. But just like the last time I found myself in this position, the stroke wasn't true, it breaks more than I realize, my line FAILS and I watch that little white pill roll right past the cup. NOONAN!!!! I tap in for a round ruining bogey, my first and only of the day. My final score for the championship is 69-72-71-68 for an even 280. Could have been a whole lot worse, but still pretty disappointed I couldn't manage a bogey free round.
I'm still determined to one day play this course Bogey free from the tips, but It will likely be a while before I have the sanity to try again. Mark my words, Pinehurst......you may have won the battle.........BUT YOU WILL NOT WIN THE WAR!!!!!!!!!!