Round 2 Scratch Match Play

Had a hell of a match yesterday.

Not feeling a big huge post, so just a quick run down.

I was playing Matt N from our club. He's a 3 handicapper who plays on the weekdays with a bunch of guys who are all over the map. Probably the most laid back guy on the planet. Great putter, seems to have a million different types of shots in his bag, and overall great player.

I knew I was in for a tough one. Steve mentioned to me before the round that I would handle him easily, but i quickly corrected him saying it wasn't going to be easy. Matt talks A LOT and is so carefree it throws you off a bit.

Anyways, here goes.

#1 - Matt was down the right hand side in the fairway, I bailed out of my tee shot and was deep into the trees on the right. We both have to hit low runners. Matt was short, I was way left behind the traps. Matt got up and down, I hit a horrible makable par putt. Matt 1 Up.

#2 - Matt had 180 to the green came up short. I was right behind a large tree/bush up the right side at 150. I hit a great running 5 iron that ran out about 100 yards a finished 8 feet from the cup. Matt missed his par putt. All Square.

#3 - Decent drives by both. Matt got to the front of the green playing to a back left pin. I got mine to about 10 feet. Matt just missed par putt, Harris 1 up.

#4 - We both ended up Par. Harris 1 up.

#5 - I would find myself directly behind a small tree on the right hand side. Had no shot at all. I made bogey, Matt made par, All square.

#6 - Both made nice pars, All square.

#7 - Matt came up just short and right of the green. I was about 15 feet for birdie. Matt couldn't make the up and down, I made the 2 putt par. Harris 1 up.

#8 - Matt was down the middle about 240 out from the green. He laid up. I was 240 out just barely right of the traps. I had a line to the pin so I hit rescue, it rolled just past the hole and settled at the back of the green to a middle pin. I would make a nice birdie to Matt's Par. Harris 2 Up.

#9 - I would miss a 4 footer for par to finish the front 9 1 Up.

I Started to gain some momentum on the back.

#10 - My birdie on 10 was good for the hole - Harris 2 up

#11 - I made a crappy par and Matt missed his par putt - Harris 3 up.

#12 - playing from the short tees, we both made par, I should have made a birdie putt, Harris 3 up

#13 - Of course, I put mine in the trees on the left scared to death of the right. Had a chance to win the hole with a par putt but couldn't putt today, so saw off the hole. Harris 3 up.

#14 - I hit an awful 7 iron to the green, ended up in the trap on the right. Matt was centre of the green. Awful shot out of the bunker. Easy par for Matt and the hole. Harris 2 up.

#15 - Both of us had to punch out from the trees on the left to about 200 yards out. Both of us got the green from there with makable birdie putts. Neither of us hit them, Harris 2 up.

#16 - Thought I could birdie this hole to win the match. After we both laid up to about 60 yards. I would stick one about 12 feet for birdie. Matt was just off the green. He would get up and in. I rammed my birdie putt about 3 feet past the hole. At least i gave it a chance. Would make the slick come back to stay 2 up.

#17 - Thinking I would have the advantage on this hole with the black tees back around 235 (Matt only plays the blue tees which are around 200 every time) I was disappointed to find the tee up at the blue marker. Matt up first would pure a rescue to about 8 feet for birdie. I pulled my 5 iron into the bunker on the left. Made a great out to about 4 feet for par. Matt literally stopped his birdie putt on the edge of the cup. I had 4 feet for the win. I saw it was breaking slightly to the left. I went straight at the hole, just missed. Harris Up 1.

I hate the 18th hole. I can't drive on it. there is no worse scenario for me than to take a match to the 18th hole. There is out of bounds to the right and not much room for someone like me who has a wicked fade off the tee.

#18 - Matt pures one down the centre (this guy is so steady). I think about hitting rescue but change to driver at last second. Get on the tee and hit as quickly as I possibly can to avoid thinking about my ball going on the highway. I hit a screamer at the trees on the left and it just barely misses them and lands in the middle of the fairway about 120 out. Matt had 16 and hit his worst shot of the day to about 15 yards short right. I put PW in my hand to hit to the back pin. Keep repeating in my head "middle of the green, middle of the green". I hit a decent wedge that I pull just a little and miss the middle of the green, however I found myself with an amazing shot leaving about 8 feet for birdie pin high. I laugh with Steve about the "miss". Matt had a chance to chip in and ran it by the hole about 10 feet just into the fringe. He would make the par putt from there leave me with a 2 putt for the win. I hit another awful putt (putting is awful I'm worried about it) but was good enough for the gimmie and the win.

Great match. Shouldn't have got to where it did, but regardless I won the match. On to the next round. Not sure who I play, but glad to be through to the next round. Up next is my Langley second round match on Sunday against arch nemesis Charlie. Last year I took pleasure in destroying him 5 and 4. This year I have to give him 2 shots, but I think I'll pull it off. Should be another good match, we will see.