So much has happened since my last column that I hardly know where to begin but I guess we’ll start from where we left off for continuity’s sake.
The last time we spoke was before the Dallas Shootout and gosh, pretty much everything went wrong that week. It was one of those things where I just didn’t have it and it’s been a hard grind ever since. I lost confidence pretty quickly in Texas which happens in this game when you’re playing week to week, and it’s been a slow process getting it back.
I probably needed a distraction and the timing of my trip home to Ireland worked out perfectly. Anytime I get to go home to see the family and chill is a good time. It was great to get out for a hit at Ballyclare while I was there too. It’s funny but no matter when I go back there, I always feel like I’m 12 years old again and I’m going on a Friday after school! It was so nice to see so many familiar faces throughout the clubhouse – whether it was the juniors grown up and being ‘kinda’ adults now or the older people getting even older – it was absolutely brilliant.
It was a bit tough leaving though. I had just arrived in Virginia and it was Dad’s two year anniversary. Not being with Mum was particularly rough but it’s one of those things. Obviously it’s a hard day and no matter how much you try to remind yourself that it’s just like any other, it always hurts. But as time goes by it definitely gets a little easier and we all just keep going.
The bad golf hasn’t helped an awful lot but the last couple of weeks have been a lot better! It has been a big struggle, mentally more than anything. I’ve just not been comfortable and it gets in your head and then that becomes the problem more than anything else. I’ve spent a lot of time journaling, pretending to be confident. And you know, sometimes you just have to put a brave face on and eventually convince yourself into believing it. So I’ve been faking it for a while but working really hard with Jorge as I do it. Stretches like these happen in professional sport but it’s how you come back from them that defines you. I won’t lie, it’s been pretty crappy, but I could feel a turnaround coming.
And what better time than a US Open Qualifier for it to finally come good? I was feeling much better with my game before the event, seeing good quality golf shots again without ever quite putting the scores together. But it was just stupid mistakes more than anything, holding me back. The 36-hole qualifier was a real grind but it was great to finally put two under par rounds together. It rained relentlessly for the second 18 which probably played into my hands and there were three of us tied after 36 holes.
Playoffs are stressful enough but when we went to go warm-up after an hours wait, the range wasn’t open. We were all a bit tight and it showed, the three of us were all over the place on the first playoff hole! At the next we all hit short irons into the par 3 to about ten feet and thankfully I was the only one to make the putt. It’s such a thrill to be going to my fourth US Open in New Jersey. I can’t wait!
As I write this I’m in Michigan playing the Meijer LPGA Classic. I started pretty hot this week but made nothing coming in, eventually carding a two under par 69 for my opening round. I’m hitting the ball really good, my driving distance was right up there, greens in regulation were spot on, so it’s a relief to see the stats coming ‘round at long last after a brutal few weeks.
It’s been so long since the last blog that I hardly know where to begin but I guess we’ll start from where we left off for continuity’s sake. The last time we spoke was before the Dallas Shootout and gosh, pretty much everything went wrong that week. It was one of those things where I just didn’t have it and it’s been a hard grind ever since. I lost confidence pretty quickly in Texas which happens in this game when you’re playing week to week, and it’s been a slow process getting it back.
I probably needed a distraction and the timing of my trip home to Ireland worked out perfectly. Anytime I get to go home to see the family and chill is a good time. It was great to get out for a hit at Ballyclare while I was there too. It’s funny but no matter when I go back there, I always feel like I’m 12 years old again and I’m going on a Friday after school! It was so nice to see so many familiar faces throughout the clubhouse – whether it was the juniors grown up and being ‘kinda’ adults now or the older people getting even older – it was absolutely brilliant.
It was a bit tough leaving though. I had just arrived in Virginia and it was Dad’s two year anniversary. Not being with Mum was particularly rough but it’s one of those things. Obviously it’s a hard day and no matter how much you try to remind yourself that it’s just like any other, it always hurts. But as time goes by it definitely gets a little easier and we all just keep going.
The bad golf hasn’t helped an awful lot but the last couple of weeks have been a lot better! It has been a big struggle, mentally more than anything. I’ve just not been comfortable and it gets in your head and then that becomes the problem more than anything else. I’ve spent a lot of time journaling, pretending to be confident. And you know, sometimes you just have to put a brave face on and eventually convince yourself into believing it. So I’ve been faking it for a while but working really hard with Jorge as I do it. Stretches like these happen in professional sport but it’s how you come back from them that defines you. I won’t lie, it’s been pretty crappy, but I could feel a turnaround coming.
And what better time than a US Open Qualifier for it to finally come good? I was feeling much better with my game before the event, seeing good quality golf shots again without ever quite putting the scores together. But it was just stupid mistakes more than anything, holding me back. The 36-hole qualifier was a real grind but it was great to finally put two under par rounds together. It rained relentlessly for the second 18 which probably played into my hands and there were three of us tied after 36 holes.
Playoffs are stressful enough but when we went to go warm-up after an hours wait, the range wasn’t open. We were all a bit tight and it showed, the three of us were all over the place on the first playoff hole! At the next we all hit short irons into the par 3 to about ten feet and thankfully I was the only one to make the putt. It’s such a thrill to be going to my fourth US Open in New Jersey. I can’t wait!
As I write this I’m in Michigan playing the Meijer LPGA Classic. I started pretty hot this week but made nothing coming in, eventually carding a two under par 69 for my opening round. I played well but struggled with scoring onto e second day and unfortunately missed the cut but I’m hitting the ball really well and my driving and GIR stats are starting to come round.
Onwards to the US Open now so fingers crossed.
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