Coming off the back of Q-School in Alabama, I knew I was in for a challenge with a Tuesday arrival and a healthy dose of jet lag. Needless to say the conditions from one week to the next could not have been more different. Alabama was a humid low 30’s (high 80’s F) with a very light breeze and upon arrival into Melbourne on Tuesday morning, I was greeted to 12 degrees (~54 deg F) and about a 3-4 club wind.
The course at RACV Cape Schank could not have been presented in better condition and despite the weather, it is always a pleasure to play golf on the Mornington Peninsula, about 2 hours south of Melbourne.
Round 1 was in a strong 40-50 km/h (20/30mph) breeze, which I played fairly well in except for a tough 6,7 finishing with a 7 over, 77. It certainly left a bad taste in my mouth as I had worked very hard all day and I think 3 over would have been a fair score as to how I played in very testing conditions. Unfortunately, golf is not a fairytale and it was important for me to put it behind me and focus on the job at hand for the next day.
With a morning tee time on Friday, we were greeted to nicer conditions and despite an early round triple bogey, I played very nicely and reeled off 7 birdies to shoot 1 under 69 and put myself in with a good chance to make the cut. As the day progressed, it was becoming clear, it was not going to be my week as the wind dropped off and despite the cutline looking favourable, it didn’t quite make it and was finally made at +5, seeing me miss by 1 shot for the second week running.
Upon looking back at my numbers, I found that of the 6 times I hit driver for the two days, I was 10 over par for those holes, which was a real contrast to the rest of my year as I have been driving the ball really well. Such is the nature of golf and all I’m left to do is focus on next week and keep moving forwards.
My next event is the Luisita Invitational on the PGT at the Luisita Golf Club in Tarlac City in the Philippines. Round 1 starts on Tuesday October 16th.
Tim Stewart Golf 