Frilford Heath
Hi everyone,
Frilford Heath was the second event of the year this season. I went to the event straight from Celtic Manor and stayed with my friend whom I had been at university with.
I had played the course just a month before at the q school and was very happy with the way I played the red course in the q school. I got drawn to play in the very first group on the opening day at 7:30am. I like playing at this time as you often find the conditions are more benign and straight forward. I had a good opening round with 4 birdies and 5 bogeys. I was a little disappointed with the amount of bogeys, 3 of which were down to not getting my putts from just off the green close enough. I was however very happy that I stuck in there and managed to finish birdie, birdie for my 73.
The second round I had a 12:30 tee off time. It was slightly breezier in the afternoon and I was starting on the tenth hole. I holed a long birdie putt at my opening hole before giving it back at the next hole with a 3 putt bogey. I was 1 over after 6 holes, then I birdied 16,17 & 18 to have a front 9 of 2 under par. Unfortunately being the first group out this meant we caught up with the last group out and we had to wait for a substantial time on the 10th before starting our back 9. I had bogeys at the 3rd & 4th (my 12th & 13th) to go back to level par for the day and 1 over for the tournament. I knew the cut was going to be either 1 or 2 over par so I had to dig in and be no worse than level par for the last 5 to be certain. I managed to play them in 1 under with a birdie on the par 5 6th and pars on the rest of them, giving myself good birdie chances on every hole which was very pleasing. I had a round of 71(-1) and made the cut by 2 shots.
I played the final round at 10am and started with 3 solid pars. I had a bogey on 4 and 5 but then birdie 6 to be 1 over. I hit a poor tee shot on 9 and made bogey before birdieing 10. I played the last 8 holes in 1 over par due to a 3 putt on 15 and signed for a final round of 74(+2). I finished in a tie for 33rd place but was very happy with the progress I had made over the week and was hitting the ball really well.
I had driven the ball great all week and had identified my pace putting as the area I needed to work on. It was nice to make the cut and play all 3 rounds and I was very positive about my game and future events.
Thank you for reading
Neil