One under par 69 at Merion!!!!!! I was competing in the Michelin Challenge, so I was hitting from the Master tees, but putting on Tour Pro greens. LoL.
My card
Now I know that for most people here posting a one under par score is a WHAT IN THE NAME OF @#$% $%^ *&#@ **** off day, but for me this is a very good score, particularly on this course. Ever since I joined the Tour ~2 months ago, Merion has consistently been one of my most difficult courses. But today, I finally exorcised my demons, and I got the best of this course.
On the infamous 5th hole, after I found the bunker off the tee, you failed to give me anything higher than bogey - my only bogey of the round, as a matter of fact. On the dog leg 12th hole, after shanking my drive in the rough and missing the green, you failed to take back a stroke when I got up and down for par. And on the notorious 15th - one of the most difficult holes in the game, IMHO - after my 7 iron couldn't hold the front left corner of the green, you still failed to give me a bogey. I missed long at the par 3 17th, but your green with more undulations than a Mama June double chin still couldn't give me a bogey when I got up and down for par. And you had one last chance at 18 when my approach 3 wood came up short, but you still couldn't beat me as I drained the 4 footer for par. You tried your best to break me on your difficult back 9, but I failed to drop a stroke, even after hitting only 4 of 9 GIR. 15 through 18 is one of the most difficult closing stretches in the game in my opinion, but I played it at even par. And for 18 straight holes, your notoriously unforgiving greens -- widely regarded to be some of the most difficult in the game, IMHO -- failed to give me a single 3 putt. And even after just one day earlier I carded a 10 on 15 and a 7 on 16, you failed to keep me from coming back for more. I was determined to not let you keep me down, and I did it. Even if I never make better than triple on 5 or 15 for the rest of my life, or never shoot under par, or even break 80, I can finally say that on this day, and in this round, for the first time ever, I beat you, Merion. I finally beat you.
And now, I'd like to take a moment to personally acknowledge those of you who helped me with this accomplishment..........
nivlac, who's tips for controlling putting distance have enormously helped me on the greens.
alosso, for posting the putting distance formula, without which I would just basically be guessing on nearly every putt.
mrcaddie, xtabent, and the entire Lobsters Lair™ for the gift of a Cleveland 64° wedge during Christmas in July. Still one of my favorite clubs in my bag.
Sorry for rambling on like this, but I consider this to be one of my greatest accomplishments since earning my Tour card, and I just wanted to share it with everyone. Have a good weekend.
-Inigo