August 2002

1 August, Talma Finnish Challenge, 1st Round, 72 (Level)
Starting from the tenth I went par, bogey, double to get off to a really great start again. However I held it together and birdied the par-5 13th and a bad bogey at 18 saw me out in 3 over. On the way back there were no dropped shots and birdies at 1, 7 and 8 for level par. I played alright and I am happy with 72 after being 3 over at the turn. I am tied 68th, but there are 37 people on -1 and -2, so something sub-70 should get me in for the weekend, which would be a nice change! Off for a bit of pracice and then back to the hotel for some R&R. David

2 August, Talma Finnish Challenge, 2nd Round, 74 (+2)
Not to be today. Made a poor start with a bogey at the par-4 3rd and then really made things difficult for myself with a double bogey at the par-4 7th. I made a birdie 4 at the 8th for the second day running, but then just parred in from there. I am a bit frustrated as I can feel that my game is good enough, but I am just not converting that into red numbers. In the end the cut came at 5-under par, so it would have required a 69 or better, which I am capable off. Back home now for another weekend off - just have to keep plugging away and my luck will change. David

15 August, North West of Ireland Open, European Tour, 1st Round, 75 (+3)
Shot a good round today considering it was blowing a gale. I was really solid off the tee, but my irons weren't so great. After a dropped shot at the first, I birdied the second to get back to level par. I dropped four shots at 6,8,9 and 13 when I three putted, but I also holed three forty footers for par! Go figure that one out! Made a solid birdie at the par-5 17th to get into the top 20, with 3 over. I really enjoyed today - it's been a while since I can say that! David

16 August, North West of Ireland Open, European Tour, 2nd Round, 76 (+4)
76 today in a wee breeze, which puts me right on the projected cut mark at +7, so hopefully I will be OK. Played solid again, starting from the tenth, but three whacked 11 & 12 for bogey to turn in two over. I birdied the 1st, lost a ball for a double at the 3rd, three putted 15 and missed four other short putts, otherwise I could have been great! The conditions are tough and the leader is only at -2, so if I can get a sub par round in tomorrow it could be worth a few bob come Sunday. Cheers, David

17 August, North West of Ireland Open, European Tour, 3rd Round, 83 (+11)
A ten and a half hour round! Played very solid for my 83 in an absolute gale that caused several suspensions of play. The wind was so strong that the balls were moving on the greens a lot. I won't bore you with all the dropped shots, but suffice to say putting was difficult. I took four putts from the edge of the first green and also four putted the 9th form 30 feet. At least it's over and hopefully the weather will be better tomorrow! Off somewhere calm to watch the USPGA! David

18 August, North West of Ireland Open, European Tour, 4th Round, 73 (+1)
My best round of the week was much more steady with a birdie at the par-5 4th, and bogeys at the two par-3s, holes 5 & 7. The weather was much kinder today, but all the damage was done in the gale force conditions of yesterday. I finished in a tie for 70th place which was worth a massive E540 (about £345), but more importantly it is my first main tour cut made and cheque banked, so hopefully I can build on this and start to put some good results together on the Challenge Tour in the remainder of the season. Bye for now, David

22 August, Skandia PGA Open, 1st Round, 74 (+2)
Shot 2 over today. Played pretty solid but a bit of a struggle without my own clubs. They finally arrived in time for tomorrows round. Hit the driver right and the irons left! Got off to a good start with birdie at the par 5 2nd but dropped shots on 7,8 and 9 to turn 2 over. Got the shots back with a couple of birdies on the 10th and 11th but 2 bogeys coming in left me on 2 over. Putted OK without making any. Off now to practice with my own clubs! David

23 August, Skandia PGA Open, 2nd Round, 75 (+3)
Home already! Shot 75, 3 over but played pretty well from tee to green, but the putter was very cold and didn't make a thing. Only made the one birdie on the par 5 4th hole and with the putter not working it was always going to be difficult. Not the best of circumstances having to play with two different sets of clubs in 2 days as well but I feel that I am very close to playing well and hopefully it will all come together soon. I am going up to Skibo this week, David

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