May 2005

5 May, Wales Challenge, 2nd Round 75 (+2)
Tough course that is playing very long. I drove the ball well, putted better but irons were a bit varied. After a par at my opening hole, I 3 putted the par 5 second for bogey but was able to hit right back with birdies at next two holes from 10ft. Made a good par at 7 after hitting 3 wood into the water. Reached the turn at 1 under-par and then moved to 2 under for the day with a birdie at the 12th. I drove into the water, but after my penalty drop I hit a great 4 iron to 4ft and rolled putt in for birdie. Pared the 13th but then made a poor bogey at the 14th which was perhaps the easiest hole. Pared my way in from there to finish on 1 under-par 72 for the day and in the top 10. Finally a decent start! David

6 May, Wales Challenge, 2nd Round 75 (+2)
It was very windy today making the course play very long and very tough in parts. I played ok but not as well as yesterday. Couple of loose shots during the round cost me. Missed two 4 footers for par but hit both putts exactly how I wanted to, so can not complain. I didn't give myself enough good birdie chances today. I did however hit a lot of good putts but made nothing. Probably too far back from first place, but well placed for weekend though, finally! David

7 May, Wales Challenge, 3rd Round 75 (+2)
Shot two over today which was a bit of a waste. Different wind today which made it tougher again. Played pretty well though. Missed three really good chances on front but started making them on back. Bogeys at last three did spoil a good days work. Last three are long, extremely difficult and into the wind but I did not hit enough good shots on them and my short game let me down a bit when I needed it. Still placed ok but without finish would have been in great shape. David

8 May, Wales Challenge, 4th Round 75 (+2)
Finished in tie for 7th place, 297 (+5) for week.

17 May, Northern Open, 1st Round 74 (+3)
It was extremely cold and windy with the odd hail storm today, not overly pleasant. I generally played ok but after getting my clubs stolen the other day outside Mortonhall I struggled with the set and a borrowed driver. Hit them fairly straight but high and weak. The greens were quick and bumpy and I had a lot of problems holing the must make range. 34 putts for the day, 36 if you include putts from fringe. Started with a bogey at the first and despite a birdie on number 3 more bogeys came at 5, 8 and 9 to reach turn at 3 over-par. Had two birdies on the back nine but these were off set by 2 more bogeys. Three of my bogeys today were with a wedge from the fairway. Missed my clubs! David

18 May, Northern Open, 2nd Round 67 (-4)
It was freezing first thing but I got the best half of draw, weather wise. Played well today but a couple of loose shots cost me. Make Four 2's on par threes, just missing out on making it 5 out of 5 when I missed from 8ft on the other one. After started with a bogey at the first again I made a great eagle at the 5th to get me going. Birdied the 8th but bogeyed the 9th straight away to reach the turn at 1 under for the day. I putted poor on front but much better on back. After a bogey at the 11th I made three birdies in a row from the 13th and got another one on the 17th to be 5 under for my round. Didn't end my round on a good note when I made a poor bogey at the 18th. During my round I hit it into hazards twice costing me bogeys and the 4 dropped shots is too many but on the other hand it is good to have so many red figures. David

19 May, Northern Open, 3rd Round 70 (-1)
Still cold and very windy but again I played pretty solid. Poor start again but played better as round went on. Bogey on first for third straight day was followed by a three putt bogey on 6. Kept in going though and made good birdies at the 8th and 11th holes to get back to level for the day. I then hit two great shots into the par 5 14th and was able to two putt for birdie. Pared the final 4 holes to finish on 1 under-par for the day and 2 under for the tournament. I'm still not holing much on the greens but I holed out much better on back today. Three back so in good position for the final round. David.

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