The US Open
After 2 weeks of glorious weather it decided to rain as this years RNSG tour moved to Felixstowe for the converted US Open on Thursday. A large field had entered but who would actually turn up in the forecasted conditions.
As it turned out, everyone and better still the forecasted rain and thunderstorms never materialised with only the light shower to trouble today’s competitors.
The randomiser app was once again used to select the groupings which everyone, well at least Kevin, got very excited about. The randomiser had also successfully randomised the women into separate groups meaning there would be more golf and less chatting this day.
First off were Kevin, Bob and Jo. After a long talk from the starter, offering some excellent advice about not hitting the cars on the near by road, then we were off with 3 surprisingly straight drives down the middle. However normal service was soon resumed as Bob shanked his next into the long rough on the way to an opening blob. Another blob followed before a good par on the third and this stop start scoring pattern was repeated for the day as he stuttered to 28 points.
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| One of many shots from the rough for Bob although this one led to a par! |
However Jo and Kevin thought they were scoring well as they rattled up the points with a series of pars. Jo had 19 at halfway but then had a dodgy patch including an OOB at the 11th which she never really recovered from as she came in with 33 points. Normally we would be talking about a score like that be a contender but today it would turn out that it was way off the pace.
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| Jo in a rare bit of trouble on the way to a tidy 33 points |
Kevin, on the other hand, had two birdies in 3 holes and as he stood on the 12th tea was 5 under handicap. I’m no mind reader but he was probably thinking the US Open was in the bag. Only two things could stop him now. First if he fell apart and second if there were people scoring even better in the groups behind. As it turned out both were true as two blobs in the next 3 holes quickly had all those shots gone. Only a good par on the last got him to an under handicap score of 37.
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| Bob looks on in admiration of Kevin's excellent drive, at least I think that's what's happening |
In the group behind Greg got off to a flyer with 4 pars in the first 6 holes. But then for some reason on the seventh, with water a plenty, he zig zagged down the fairway like a boat tacking on the nearby river. This slip up, and another blob on the short 11th, cost him dearly as he racked up 36 points and the extra points lost on those two holes could have at least got him on the podium.
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| A smooth looking swing from Greg on the 6th but his little slip up on the next |
Chris was doing fine tee to green but having putting problems. A couple of times short putts pinged back off the flagstick instead of going in the hole, damn you covid 19. She did however birdie the 5th hole with its temporary green and hole the size of a bucket. If all the holes had been that big she probably would have won rather than finish on 31 points.
Robert had a strange old round. Have to carry an enormous handicap of 20 around the course he appeared to be struggling with his driver. In fact it was more like a session down the driving range with provisionals being hit on most holes. However incredibly most drives were found as much to his partners surprise he got to 18 at halfway as his iron play had been excellent..
All the extra practice seemed to pay dividends as he stormed the back 9 with 5 pars, no drop shots and 24 points giving him a massive 42 points. But on such a high scoring day would it be enough.
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| One of Roberts straighter drives which once again was incredibly found. |
Jill, Andrew and Vince all put themselves in with a chance. With Jill and Andrew both opening up with excellent scores of 19.
Due to lack of photos and feedback it is a bit of a mystery to know exactly what occurred. Photos from the tour library have been used to help you imagine it. Jill had a solid back 9 to have 36 points.
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| Jill in action on a previous wet and windy round at Felixstowe Ferry. |
Andrew finished strongly with 10 pts on last 4 holes and 39 points on the board. Normally enough for a course record and major title but still 3 points behind Roberts total. Maybe he should get himself a bigger handicap.
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| Andrew playing in completely different conditions a couple of years ago so doesn't really help us knowing what his round felt like today. |
This just left Vince with a record braking handicap of 30 to cope with. He used it wisely on the front 9 to rack up an incredible 24 points. As he stood on the 13th tea he was 6 under handicap. Only two things could stop him now. First if he fell apart and second if there were people scoring even better in the groups ahead. Once again both proved true as he slipped to 37 points and a share of 3rd place with Kevin.
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| Vince hitting out of the rough during a pervious visit although I suspect there was also plenty of hitting out the rough action today to |
Robert gained his 3rd career major title and joined Jo at the top of the Money list as the Barnard’s continue to hoover up the prize money. Fortunately they are not available for the next two rounds in order to generously give some others the chance to catch up but will also deny Robert becoming the first player to complete the career grand slam as he will miss the Open.
With this years proposed fixture list now bearing no resemblance to where the tour is actually going then the next round is at Swaffham on Thursday 1st July.
