Well, making the cut usually takes the pressure off a bit, which makes it easier to free it up and just play. Unfortunately, that was not the case Saturday.
I have put a lot of time and effort into the mental side of things lately and have had some great results. However, when you’re mechanics falter, it doesnt matter how positive you are. These swing flaws didn’t happen overnight, and I have been struggling with my ball striking all week.
The real problem was that I couldn’t diagnose the problem myself and became a bit frustrated. Missing fairways at Saucon Valley is not a good idea, and when you pair that up with tentative putting, it becomes a perfect recipe for 77, which is exactly what I shot today. Surprisingly enough, it is only one shot above the average score this week, if that is any indication of the difficulty of this golf course.
I have one more round tomorrow and am up for the challenge. As difficult as this golf course is, the challenge of it during an Open is exactly why I love playing professional golf. I can take the beating this course has punished me with and still feel compelled to compete for one more day. I think that is what keeps all us golfers coming back; the idea that your best is just around the corner.
Thanks for the support,
Allison
Follow Allison live from the U.S. Women’s Open at this online leaderboard and watch the final round from 3-6 p.m. (ET) Sunday afternoon on NBC.
Three three-putts in the last five holes can nearly make you crazy. What a struggle!! I hit the ball well enough on the front and then sprayed it a bit as the round continued Friday in the U.S. Women’s Open at Saucon Valley CC in Bethlehem, Pa.
I have been a bit tight since Thursday morning and just haven’t been able to let it go as well as I am capable of. Maybe it’s the U.S. Open or the difficulty of the golf course, or a combination of the two, that is keeping me tentative. But after making the cut Friday, I hope that will recede a bit Saturday.
I have a quick turnaround with an 8:40 tee time tomorrow morning, just 13 hours after walking off the 18th green this evening. It is definitely an exhausting schedule but it’s also the U.S. Open, which makes it easy to get the adrenaline going. I had a quick dinner, and off to bed I go.
Thanks to all those watching and supporting. Follow the tournament at this live leaderboard and watch from 3-6 p.m. (ET) Saturday afternoon on NBC. Wish me luck!!!!
Allie
A quick side note: I played with two girls the last two days who spanned the leaderboard. One is tied for fourth, and the other tied for 147th. Wrap your head around watching that. 
That is easily the most challenging golf course I have ever played, especially since it seemed that I was playing from the rough more often than the fairway here at Saucon Valley CC in Bethlehem, Pa. But I stayed super-calm and didn’t allow the frustrating bogeys late in my round get me too upset. The cut looks like it will be at least double what it is today, which would be 8-over. I’m at 4-over after today. I know I am playing well and am more concerned about getting myself into the top 30 tomorrow than making the cut.
These greens can be downright frightening at some times, and the fairways look only a few yards wide from a few of the tees. The rough is manageable from the first cut, but spray it too far, and it’s a matter of how far you can pitch it out. I love this kind of golf and am thrilled to be here. Not everyone would say the same …
As a matter of fact, one story from the day was that a player who shot 80 asked the officials in the scoring tent for a pen so she could sign her caddie’s check before she fired him, which she did. Nothing more difficult to handle than the wrath of a professional golfer after a big number. These caddies take a beating sometimes but seem to love being out here as much as we do.
Wish me luck for Friday, and I hope you get to tune in to watch some coverage from this year’s U.S. Women’s Open. We’re on ESPN from 2-6 p.m. (ET) Friday.
Allison Fouch
Note: Follow Allison Fouch at the U.S. Women’s Open all weekend through this live leaderboard!