Can't wait to watch! I'm surprised you would have to pay for clothes to wear, figured the least you could get as a sponsorship would be a couple of free outfits.

looking forward to the sweat, best of luck!

Looking forward to the sweat!

Obligatory unsolicited advice to ntnBO and marknfw:

lol, got it. not a normal occurrence, just seemed to fit here.

also here for your updates along the way
stay pure

Congrats on qualifying. Have you played in any USGA championships before?

Nope. As documented here, been 2nd alternate from my qualifier twice the previous three years for this and not gotten in. In college lost a 2 for 1 playoff for a spot in the U.S. Amateur but have no memories of any alternate sweats. Made it to U.S. Open Sectionals twice, the first time wasn't even close, the second time in 2005 was 4-under through 25 holes but couldn't finish. 6-under played off.

Have my three new clubs in hand and they are definitely upgrades. 4 wood launches plenty high and can easily turn it over, probably just as long as my old 3 wood when hit properly. 3 hybrid is an absolute beast, jumps like crazy. In a charity event last Friday had a hazard crossing the fairway 270 out downhill. Hit 3 hybrid in the hazard. Have to make sure to wait an extra half count at the top in order to launch it nice and high off the deck. 4 hybrid is the exactly the same as my G410 with just a bit shorter a shaft. Still goes plenty high and far. The G430 hybrids sound and feel just a tad bit different from the G410's.

So with the exception of a couple of very minor things, all the pieces are in place. Game is pretty sharp as is my mind. The next 10 days will just entail keeping the swing and short game in shape and transition from pushing my body to the limit to being active but still conserving some energy.

(scared to discuss any more clothing aspects here )

i don't believe we've heard anything about socks and belts
and i hope you're wearing your well worn dusty lucky shoes with a half-dozen broken spikes
(that was not a typo)

Got a bunch of new socks but was going to do that anyway. Two new belts.

And for good measure I'm styling new underwear. (but like the socks that was needed regardless)

Already had a fairly new pair of Adidas lightweight shoes that I love.

Sarcasm is lost on me.....

TMI, but thanks for sharing!

stay loose BO

Who's caddying for you?

Long time golf buddy who looped for me at Q school finals and other events including last months qualifier. Excellent green reader and knows my game.

Are we talking avoiding heat rash on the inside of the legs in hot / humid weather? I'm asking for a friend who has had problems with that in the past and could use some tips...

A handful of baby powder spread aroud your groin/ inner thighs take care of that.
Always wondered why they had it in the lockerrooms in thailand until a local told me.

First day on site yesterday and the short version is that it's everything I hoped it would be and more.

Got out there at 8am and got the lay of the land a bit. Player hospitality just inside the clubhouse. Locker room just off player hospitality. Range, short game area, putting green, 1st and 10th tee, etc. Grandstands all over, sometimes to the point that it's tough to navigate but certainly manageable.

There were several weather delays but having a place to hang out during those with all the free food and drink you want makes it very tolerable. Started with hitting some balls on the range before playing the front nine at 930. The range deck is huge and it's the quality of an average putting green. The grass is so short and tight, just so much fun hitting balls off quality turf. Naturally when I got practice balls I was asked if I wanted Pro V1's or Pro V1x's. I play x's, they are all new and perfect and have TOUR stamped on them in red. No, my caddie did not slip a few in the bag when nobody was looking.

Then make our way to the putting green and get the feel. Greens are perfect of course but not unusual for good courses in this part of the country. Quick but nothing crazy. Yet. Balls downhill certainly roll out a lot but I told my caddie that this will be the slowest we see the greens all week.

Step on the first tee with nobody in the grandstands and almost nobody on the course. Need to enjoy the solitude because it's just going to get more and more crowded everywhere. Hit two balls of the first tee, one in the left rough and one in the right. Difficult to find, the rough is brutal. 4 inches although in places it's definitely more. Talked to the GM of the course later and he said a couple of weeks ago it was probably double this but it's easier to cut the rough to the height they want rather then attempt to grow grass and inch or so overnight.

Had 180 in and tried 6 iron out of the cabbage. Hit it 140 but at least it went forward. Hit balls out of the rough on a few other holes and it was similar. Will need to take some time and determine the best way to play out of the thick stuff.

Around the greens though I'm confident I can play out of it. Just have to read the lie and adjust the length of the swing accordingly. Pretty fun to take a half swing with a wide open 60 and fly it maybe 8 yards. The short cut around the greens are probably better than many actual greens. But you can certainly spin it off the tight grass. Hit those low spinners that hop once and just skid to a stop. But it's also pretty easy to putt off of and that's a good comfort to have.

Took at least 2.5 hours to play the front nine just trying to learn as much as I could about the holes. Played the max length on most holes and there were two par 4's I hit 4 wood into. We will see how often the USGA plays those holes back there.

Got off the course just as more rain was coming in so retreat to player hospitality for food and to officially register. Got a bunch of swag, credentials for my girlfriend and parents, signed 9 pieces of memorabilia, made times for M-W practice rounds, and so on. Fun stuff. Then met my girlfriend and caddie player dining and we just chilled and stuffed our faces.

It rained for quite a while but eventually we were able to get out and practice some more. Hit another bag of balls, practiced out of the fairway bunker, and went through my drills on the putting green. The practice facility is just so perfect it's honestly difficult to tear myself away. I had told my caddie a week ago that I figured I'd just want to stay there all day and he would literally have to force me to quit. And that's what happened. I quickly acquiesced because once he mentioned it I realized it was happening.

So plan is to do something like this the next three days as well. Want to get as much work is as possible without wearing myself out. Probably going to get to the course about 930 today and not playing the back nine until 1. Parents get in this afternoon and it will be so fun to show them the facility.

The adventure has started and it's a lot of fun.

can't wait for more updates

+1 to this

Also, don't wear yourself out before the thing starts

I am excite.

Not sure how you found the time to write that much, but thanks!

this is awesome

When you have time, I'd love to hear your routine on the driving range and what putting drills you use. Best of luck!

Really looking forward to this. Good luck!

curious to hear how the practice groups go tomorrow and wednesday

Very quick update. Practice round group fell apart but was joined on #1 tee by a single looking to get out. 8-time Ryder Cupper Colin Montgomerie. Class act. First tee announcement and plenty of spectators snapping pics of Monty.

Just another day at the office.

Seriously though, was great experience in preparation for the real thing Thursday. 710am tee time off #1.

Monty seems like pure class. Caught some hell back in the day from the galleries but really a nice guy. Heard that rough is a hair thick.

This is amazing, GL sir