The putter let me down, but I will be back stronger
It might seem strange to say that I created a lot of chances and yet came back with a three-over 73, which leaves me a lot of work to do on Friday afternoon.
A real rough patch at the start of my back nine – four bogeys in a row – is not easy to handle, but I am glad I was able to fight back somewhat with a birdie and 25-foot eagle on the 17th.
Even before I could realise, I got hit by a bogey on the last hole and that was disappointing. All the more as I was in a good position.
It was not the best of starts and a mixed bag of sorts. One does not know how the weather will be when I go out for my second round, but all I know is I need to put my head down and repair the damage.
My friend Shiv Kapur had a similar scoring day, but unlike my stretch of bogeys, he was pulled down by a big number – a triple on the seventh.
As for my round, I was not in rhythm. I could not find the fairways and greens and when that is the situation, one always struggles to put up a score.
LACKED TOUCH
Frankly, I should not have dropped more than two shots at best. Instead, I dropped six as my putter let me down badly. I did not have touch on the greens.
I left myself in good positions to get up-and-down quite often but I was not sharp enough. I must have missed at least six putts from inside six feet. That is just too much for any event, let alone a Major. But I am happy the way I fought back after that stretch of bogeys; I knew I had to focus more.
That is easier said than done but I’m happy I got a birdie and eagle to repair some damage.
The conditions were not easy, with a crosswind that made things difficult. It was also quite cold and wet, but then that is something to be expected at The Open.
I believe the wind was between 10-16 miles an hour and when it is crosswind it can be tough.