Okay, so I decided to try my luck at the Monday Qualifier for the Waste Management Open. It’s always been a bit of a dream of mine to play in that tournament, you know, with the crazy crowds and the whole 16th hole scene. Figured, why not give it a shot?
First thing I did was register. It’s not super complicated, you just go through the normal process, pay the fee, and hope you get a spot. There are only a few, and tons of players trying.
Next, I started practicing, like, a lot. I focused on courses that I thought would be similar to the qualifier course. Played a bunch of rounds, focusing on my short game, especially. You gotta be sharp around the greens to have any chance.
I also made sure to check out the course beforehand. Even drove out there to get a feel for the layout, the greens, where the trouble was. Didn’t play a full round, just walked it and took notes, mentally picturing shots.
The Day Of
Man, was I nervous. I got there super early, warmed up, hit some balls on the range, rolled a bunch of putts. Tried to stay loose, you know? Just focused on my breathing, trying to keep the jitters down.
The round itself? It was a grind. I started out okay, couple of pars, a birdie even. Felt pretty good. But then the middle of the round got tough. Made a couple of bogeys, and the pressure started to build.
I really had to focus on each shot, one at a time. Forget about the score, forget about qualifying, just play the shot in front of me. Easier said than done, of course.
My short game saved me a few times. Got up and down from some tricky spots, which kept me in it. But I also missed a few short putts that I really should have made. Those hurt.
- Tried to stay positive!
- Focused on a consistent pre-shot.
- Tried to eat to keep up energy.
In the end, I didn’t make it. Shot a decent round, but not good enough to get through. It was disappointing, for sure, but honestly, it was also a really cool experience. I learned a lot about myself and my game, and I’ll definitely be back to try again next year.
I’ll just keep practicing. Keep grinding and try again next time!
