Well that was certainly a different kind of day. Putting left handed in a massive tournament was challenging mentally to say the least. I thought it was all going to go well when I holed a great 25ft putt on the first hole of the day for birdie.
From there things were a little up and down over the next 12 holes. I 3 putted the 6th hole before making great putts on 8 and 9 for birdies. Putting left handed definitely didn't feel great but somehow it was getting the job done.
The back nine started ok with solid pars on 10 and 11 before holing another nice birdie putt on the 12th. That was where things went a little crazy for me. I three putted the par 5 next hole and with that my feelings left handed were starting to unravel. I really think it has some potential but I just haven't had the time to put into it yet and so it feels very technical rather than automatic.
At 2 under I had a decision to make, play the last 5 putting left handed and maybe make some more putts or what felt more likely that I may struggle coming in. I had a feeling this might happen and so I carried my old broomstick putter with me also. I decided that I wanted a solid finish and the broomstick should get me to the clubhouse ok. I managed to actually pick up one more birdie in a really solid final 5 holes to happily be in at 3 under. With the leaders at -5 I am well placed after day one.
I practiced again afterwards with my left handed putter and found the rhythm once again. Who knows what tomorrow will bring, I will simply pick a line and try and putt it down that line.
My management around the course was very pleasing today, I played defensive golf on very quick and sloped greens. Tomorrow will require more of the same and hopefully a slightly lower score.
After my round today I went to the nearby driving range again to work on a few things as the range at the course is terrible. Here is a video where I was mucking around with the automatic ball dispensers in the tee, a good bit of fun!!