Last Sunday was definitely a time for perspective after the Utah Championship in Sandy, Utah.
I led the tournament after two rounds. And I was just two shots out of the lead, in third place, entering the final round Sunday. My game was really feeling good, as it has for the last few weeks. But the weather changed considerably Sunday, with 25-mph winds on the first nine holes and lighter winds on my final nine holes. My chances for victory blew away with those breezes, as I shot a final-round 74 and tied for 10th overall.
Obviously, I didn’t feel like I got the job done on Sunday. I was disappointed, but it was a good feeling to be in that position to win again.
There are plenty of encouraging signs as I head to Boise, Idaho, this week for the Albertson’s Boise Open.
My game is really feeling solid. I’ve been putting it very, very nicely. The putter has felt very good in my hands. I’m making my short putts. I’m getting the ball up and down when I need to. I’m hitting my irons nice. Everything is just jelling now.
I hope I can hoist some crystal here soon. I’m giving myself some chances here now, and I’m going to close the deal here now soon.
I’ve got six more chances this year on the Nationwide Tour, about a quarter of the season to go. Obviously, I’m playing well. So I’m excited about the finishing stretch.
It’s also good for my mind that we have a tournament this week. I’m already looking forward to a great weekend in Boise, which will help me forget about the disappointment in Utah. Last weekend is hindsight. It’s over. There’s nothing I can do about it. I’m just trying to learn from my mistakes, trying to put those into perspective.
Speaking of perspective, my disappointment on the course last Sunday is pretty meaningless in the grand scheme of things. I’ve had a couple of losses in my life here lately. I lost a good friend of mine, a sponsor of mine, last Wednesday from Bedford, Ind. His name was Dave Elliott. He was a big part of my career, getting me started financially. And then Mel Simon passed away last night. He was a sponsor of mine for about six years, too.
Obviously, I want to play well and do what I need to do, but friends and family are the most important things in our lives.
On to Boise. Keep it in the fairways and make ‘em all!
CB
Note: Click here to follow Craig online Thursday through Sunday in Boise! The Golf Channel also will televise the tournament in Boise at 6:30 p.m. (ET) Thursday through Saturday and at 7 p.m. Sunday.