Good news and bad news. I unfortunately was unable to get through the pre qualifier to advance to the Monday qualifier for the John Deere this year. I was definitely quite disappointed because of last year where I painfully missed by just one shot. Well I missed by one shot this year too, but it was only to advance to the actual Monday qualifier. I turned in 40 and made a good run on the back with 33, however it took level par 72 on the day. So I headed home and was able to get in some nice preparation for the Metropolitan Open in St. Louis, an event I didn't anticipate playing in. Well I am glad I did. I was in contention all the way and ended up finishing in 2nd place and garnering the $5000 first place check because the talented amateur Scott Langley clipped me by 3 shots. I played tremendous golf all week. Probably my best ball striking tournament in the past 5 years. The 17th hole derailed me. I played that hole in 7 over for the three rounds and care not to elaborate on the torture I endured there. The other 51 holes I played great and I really am proud of myself. I have the next week off for good reason. I want to see my dad through his prostate cancer surgery. I really wanted to get a win for him today, but I'm sure I still made him proud. I successfully navigated a couple years of adversity today by proving to myself finally that I can really play this game professionally. Hopefully he can see this and navigate his fight as well. I intend to venture to Waterloo, Iowa next Friday to resume my great play at the Waterloo Open. $45000 to the winner, but that isn't why I play the game. I play for the satisfaction of victory and that nervous, yet anxious feeling you get under the gun in the heat of competition. There is no better feeling than when you can't spit and your hands are shaking. That is what drives me to play. Today will help me tremendously for the rest of the year, especially when I get those jitters again I will be able to draw on past experience.