Golf is the most insane game and I love it for so many different reasons. I had a slow start to my year, but I finally had a breakthrough and followed that with a bit of heartbreak.  On May 1st I played in the annual 18 hole Forest Park Publinx and struck the ball pure all day.  It was very difficult to make putts on the aerated surfaces, and when my putt lipped out on 18, I had to settle for a 69 and 3rd place, missing out on winning by one shot.  The following weekend I played in a regional 36 hole tournament in Southern Illinois.  I ended up winning the tournament in a playoff after posting rounds of 72-64!  I was really proud of fighting off adversity after starting the tournament slowly.  I was four over after 10 holes and played my final 26 holes in eight under.  I missed a short putt for birdie and the win on the first playoff hole and shook that off and rebounded by making birdie on the 2nd playoff hole for the win.  Golf will give then at times take away.  I teed it up yesterday in US Open local qualifying at Forest Hills full of confidence.  This is a positioning golf course that is short, but has obstacles all over the course.  My main theme to simplify golf lately is to react as an athlete, fight off adversity, and commit fully to each shot. 

I made two swings out there at Forest Hills that I wish I could have back because I pulled the trigger with doubt and it cost me with two OB penalties that resulted in me shooting 74.  Had I committed on those shots I would have been in a 4 for 3 playoff.  So, I really feel I've made great strides in dealing with adversity and playing golf as a reactionary athlete.  I will continue to work on these elements, but my attention right now is committing to each shot.  For me currently, when I face a shot that doesn't suit my eye, I have to slow down, breathe, visualize, and trust it by just letting it go.  This can be done by working on my intermediate target principals and not guiding the ball by being scared of OB, water, or any other trouble spot. I have to trust my swing, especially on those visually difficult shots.  I have to keep working hard.  I leave Saturday for Aguascalientes, Mexico for a PGA Tour Latin America Monday Qualifier on May 16th.  There will be 10 spots available and I fully intend to get a spot in the starting field by being a reactionary athlete, with full trust in my swing start to finish, who deals with adversity like a champion.  Stay right here for updates.  I've had some erratic progress, but I am moving like a freight train in the right direction.  Thanks for your support.