8:30 a.m. The rain starts. Ah the Memorial.
8:40 a.m. I get to the third and stake out a spot next to the green. It’s a really scenic hole with a pond filled with jumping fish separating the fairway and green
8:41 a.m. The rain stops.
9:05 a.m. The first ball plops onto the green. Glen Day and Jay Williamson both par. decent start to the day.
9:30 a.m. The lucky break of the day. Ian Leggatt seems to be victim number one for the day of the water hazard. At least I think. I saw a big splash and heard a kerplunk, but Leggatt doesn’t take a drop he hits a ball. My only explanation is the ball bounced off the water.
9:39 a.m. For all you history buffs out there that enjoy a little irony, group four is Lewis (J.L.) and Clark( Tim).
10:34 a.m. Brad Faxon putts the ball in the cup from 20 feet away for birdie. So far it’s the longest putt of the day.
11:04 a.m. The skies open back up, the temperature drops about 10 degrees.
11:07 a.m. Bob Burns playing through the rain chips out of a bunker to within inches of the cup. Taps in for par. Ernie Els waits for the rain to let up a little. He pars, too. Play is officially suspended until noon.
12:00 p.m. On the dot play resumes.
12:15 p.m. Stuart Appleby nearly sinks a put from the next county. Close but not quite, he taps in for par.
1:00 p.m. Jesper Parnevick, the best dressed man in golf, birdies from 20. I wonder if he has a fashion consultant.
1:15 p.m. John Daly lands his approach in a trap. He chips out into the rough, uses his putter to save par from 30 feet in the rough. He doesn’t even smile despite the cheers. He had just double bogied two.
1:33 p.m. Ben Crane double bogies. Naturally it’s the balls fault, so he gives it to the fishes.
2:22 p.m. Tiger lands on the green leaving a 10 to 15 foot put for birdie. He makes it, and waves. Tomorrow I’m bringing a sign that begs for a fist pump.
2:32 p.m. Spike McRoy lands his approach a foot-and-a-half from the pin. He’s been the closest all day. Gets a gimme birdie.
2:52 p.m. The last group lands on the green. Kenny Perry pars and Retief Goosen bogies. Round three has come and gone.
