Great Play and Much Excitement in Round 3

After playing by far my worst golf of the year on Friday, I followed it up with my best golf of the year on Saturday. I was very relaxed starting the third round on the Nicklaus Course at PGA West, and I had a feeling it was going to be a great day. I needed a special round if I was going to make the cut, and though an opening-hole birdie hinted at good things, I followed it with a very pedestrian six consecutive pars. Walking off of the seventh green, I told Mikel that I was going to birdie eight of the last 11 holes. I got off to a good start towards that goal by chipping in for eagle on the par-5 eighth and followed that with consecutive birdies on nine and 10. Pars at 11 and 12 gave way to another birdie-birdie-birdie stretch on holes 13 to 15. I made my only nervous putting stroke of the day on hole 16 and missed a 5-foot putt for another birdie. I hit a great shot into the par-3 17th and nearly converted the birdie putt, but walked off with par and went to the last knowing I needed a birdie to have any chance to make the cut. Unfortunately, I hit my only horrific shot of the day off the 18th tee. I found a water hazard that runs the right side of the hole and made a lousy double bogey from there. It was a really sad way to end a great round, but it does not change the positive feelings that I got from the day. I posted a third-round 66 (-6), and though I will miss the cut by three shots, I feel great about my golf game, and it was very nice to play so well. Come back Sunday evening (or Monday morning) for a full report from the week, but for now just know that I am feeling good as I head to Torrey Pines for next week's event. Thank you for keeping up with me and for your support.