With Simon getting featured group coverage, we have sent our analyst to the course to follow
Celtic Wolf ,
lessangster , & 🦊 for their Designed by Dirtbags rounds.
As you recall, last week it was a 2 horse race on the X1 with Pat besting Les of -18 to -16 and the 🦊 dragging way behind at -6.
We'll take you out to the course and keep this post updated with the highlights and lowlights.
Standing on the first tee and a few thoughts crossed my mind:
1. Boy there is a lot of pressure for these guys with the fans surrounding the runway on the first tee
2. Do all of the Dirtbags use the same maintenance company? I've never seen one blade of grass out of place. These tracks are immaculate!
Back to the action: all 3 left more meat on the bone for birdie than they would have liked and all 3 drained the putts. Strong starts.
Thru 1
Les -1
Pat -1
🦊 -1
Here on the 4th we had our first hole of fireworks. After falling one behind, 🦊 had an eagle putt while Les and Pat missed the green. Les chipped to gimmie range, Pat uncharacteristically took 3 shots to finish the hole, and 🦊 didn't respect the break.
Thru 4
Les -3
Pat -2
🦊 -2
Les is playing as a man possessed while Pat and 🦊 aren't as sharp. Alas, you two, the clubhouse is only 2 holes away and a few pints at the turn will do you right.
Thru 7
Les -6
Pat -3
🦊 -3
The 9th hole was unkind to 🦊 and Les in different ways (one found the water, one lipped a putt) and for Pat, he's marching in to grab a pint after nailing a birdie. It should be noted that as 🦊 stepped on the tee box he said, out loud, "What a beautiful hole".
Thru 9
Les -6
Pat -4
🦊 -3
After Les was the only one to birdie 10 (with a beautiful chip in), he was the only one not to birdie 11, which then he was the only one to birdie 12, and then everyone birdied 13. Whew, that was a bit of tennis match there for a few holes.
Thru 13
Les -9
Pat -6
🦊 -5
"We've got you surrounded, come out with your hands up!" is what these 3 said to the pin after they putted on 15. 3 putts, 3 different burned edges. They all shared a grin as they walked to 16.
Thru 15
Les -10
Pat -7
🦊 -6
Double fist pump in 2 holes for 🦊! After making a sweeping birdie putt, he chipped in for birdie on 18 to close the gap. And excellent round and after a quick clubhouse session they will head out for the week's final 18.
Thru 18
Les -11
Pat -8
🦊 -8
A quick change of attire and a little bite to eat and they are off again. First hole saw some return to sender approaches by Les and Pat and a missed eagle putt by 🦊.
Thru 19
Les -11
🦊 -9
Pat -8
Pat had a rough go on the 22nd hole and Les and 🦊 were observed going over to him and patting (no pun intended) on the back to show their support because we've all been there before. No one is immune to the game of golf treating them unfavorably.
Thru 22
Les -13
🦊 -12
Pat -8
🦊 was salivating on 5 (23) as he was 6 feet for birdie with Les and Pat in the bunker. Then wouldn't you know it that Les drained it! Remarkable shot!
After a rough 23rd hole, Pat was absolutely brilliant on the 24th with his approach that made his birdie putt a gimmie.
The 25th hole saw Les with another heartbreaker shot as he jarred it from well off the green for birdie. The hole also saw the 🦊's birdie train come off the rails.
And as the gents are making their final turn of the day, Les has kicked the burners on, 🦊 has lost his sizzle, and Pat and the beer cart lady are on a first name basis.
Thru 27
Les -17
🦊 -14
Pat -7
On the 30th hole, 🦊 was the only one to go to the right fairway and subsequently had an easier approach shot going straight up the hill. It seemed to pay off as he was the only one with a birdie putt and the only one walking off with a birdie.
Thru 30
Les -19
🦊 -16
Pat -7
The gents have been a little jumpy the last couple of holes with the blimp shadow startling them. They've been caught a couple of times physically reacting to being frightened by the moving bit of shadow.
Anyways, Les's putter has been his weapon of choice, 🦊 keeps having his heart broken as he thinks he's going to gain on Les only to watch him drain it, and Pat is scheduling his Uber as he knows a night at the bar to watch some football is in order.
As we head into the final hole, the standings between these 3 is all but final so the guys are playing for individual position on the overall leaderboard.
Thru 35
Les -23
🦊 -20
Pat -7
A rather uneventful final hole with no one improving their scores.
Final
Les -23
🦊 -20
Pat -6
We caught up with a grinning 🦊 after the round:
Reporter: You appear much happier this week than last. Thoughts?
🦊: Oh yes. My play was much more stable. This was a beautiful track. Les played lights out and I knew it was going to take everything I had and then some to catch him the final leg and I just didn't have enough. Tough to see Pat struggle like that but we've all been then and I know he'll bounce back. Tip of the cap to both those guys.