Golf In A Parallel Universe (32 page)

My Tee Time was 11:00 am. I was paired up with my old Foe, the number one ranking in the world Cory McCullough. It was good to see him. Even though we have gone head to head this year, we seemed to develop a friendship. And he respects me as a player. He seems to have no ill will for me after I was able to defeat him at the US Open. I am always amazed being around him. He is so young but handles his fame so well. He is professional and polite and fierce competitor.

We tee off and I notice we have a huge gallery. I believe it because of Cory. But after a few holes, I become to realize that a lot of the gallery is pulling for me. I was hitting the ball well, and I was keeping it in the fairway. After last week at the Scottish Open I am really starting to get feel of the links style course. I concentrated on keeping it in the fairway. I hit my three wood off the tee on several holes. I did notice there seems to be some good opportunities for birdies on this course. I was able to put together a good round of 66. That put me as the first round leader. Shooting a 66 is a great score. However, It did not seem too dramatic for some reason. Three under on each side. I was just consistent. I kept myself out of trouble and I made some birdies. Cory had a good round, he shot a 67.

We got back to the clubhouse and the media buzz is starting. The TV cast is already starting to build this up. I had a couple of interviews on live TV which I am not used to. They ask me questions about my round and emphasize that I am on track to make history. I just played it down and let them know there is a long ways to go on this tournament and all I can do is try my best. Finally things settle down. I do not want to call it a day yet. I feel good and I am determined. I tell Zack, I want to go to the range and hit some balls. I hit a lot of balls and I hit them well. That little voice has been in my head all day during the round and here at practice. But it not the silly happy thrilled voice like in the past. But more of a positive, “That a Boy” type of voice cheering me on with confidence. I really do not understand where this voice is coming from, but I am starting to accept it now. It gives me motivation because hitting good golf shots is so much fun for me now. But as usual because of this voice I just think I am losing my mind. Maybe I need to see a Shrink. But for now, I am just dealing with it. After an hour and a half of hitting balls, I tell Zack to go back to his hotel and get some rest. I told him, I want to chip and putt for a while.

“I can stay” he said. “Get out of here," I replied as I motioned him away. “I will just be here for a few minutes." He grudgingly left. He wanted to stay. But I need him to be rested for tomorrow. He will be here at the crack of dawn to walk the course in the morning. He will map out every pin placement and gather any information needed for tomorrow's round. A professional Caddie is tough work. I am glad I have Zack as a caddie and I am really happy that I have been able to compensate him financially this year. I work on my chipping and putting for a couple of more hours. I am really driven. I feel confident and I know the short game is a big key for this course.

I am not the least bit tired because I am so motivated. But finally I call it a day. I go back to the hotel. I decided to call Emily. We have not talked for a few days. We have a great conversation and we talked for an hour. After we hung up, I was thinking how much I miss her and can’t wait to see her again.

I sit at my hotel window and grab a beer and look at the view and relax. I cannot believe I am here. If anyone would have ever told me at the beginning of the year that I would be here with two majors under my belt and leading the third major of the year, I would have told them they were crazy. But here I am. I have to decide right now, how I am going to approach the next three rounds. “Should I get hyped up?” “Should I be relaxed?" “On my shots should I be aggressive or conservative?" I decide to go for a competitive, confident killer attitude on my thinking. But on my shots, I will play it smart like Zack and I discussed. Not try to get too aggressive with my shots. Just keep it in the fairway. And when I address the ball, really work on what Gus taught me. Block everything out for a few seconds and have good tempo and let my swing do the work. “So that's the Plan” I tell myself. I go to bed and have a good night's sleep. I have those peaceful same old dreams about living in a small town with wife and kids. Only this time they all have British Accents. When I wake up in the morning I laugh about that. “My gosh, I think I will see a shrink when I get back” I tell myself.

I arrive at the course at 9:00am. I have a 12:15 pm tee off time. I meet Zack and he tells me nothing unusual today. We went over the pin placements, on the hole, nothing too dramatic. “Keep me under control today” I tell Zack. I tell him what I decided about last night. Have a killer competitive attitude, but don’t attack the course. I just concentrate on my shots, make smart shots and stay out of trouble and let the chips fall where they may. “Sounds good to me” he replied.

Today was my day. I must have had adrenaline running high today. Even Though I was hitting my three wood off the tee on most holes, I was killing it. And the holes I did hit my driver they were all past 320 yards. But the key was that I was staying in the fairway. A lot of players had problems today, because it was pretty windy, which is typical here. The second round is always a lot of pressure for players because if you do not play well, you can miss the cut. On this course if you try to hard and press your shots then you will get out of the fairway. And on a links course, out of the fairway is a disaster. Zack was able to keep me calmed down, and I really worked on my tempo. I shot five under 67. No one else made a run today besides Cory. He was right behind me with a 68. He was in second place. I lead by two strokes after the second round.

After the round I was starting to get a lot of attentions from the media and other people. I told Zack that I want to get away from this Zoo. We call it a day and go back to my hotel. I am little tired, so I get something to eat and go to bed early.

Day 3 of the British Open. I played the same way I did the first two rounds. I hit the ball very well. However I got some bad breaks. On a links course you are really at the mercy of the landscape. You can hit a terrible shot and get a good bounce, or you can hit a great shot and get some bad bounces. And that happened to me today. I hit some good shots, but I had some bad bounces that caused me some problems. I had some birdies, but I also had some bogeys because of just plain bad luck.

On the 18th hole I hit a perfect drive. I hit my approach just like I wanted. But it went over the green and into the thick fescue grass. I was not able to manage the thick grass had a disastrous chipping and putting exhibition and I doubled the hole. I ended up with a 70 for the round. Cory came in with a 68 so we were tied after three rounds.

After the round I was pretty upset. I looked at Zack “Damn it Zack! I hit shots today and look what happened," I said in a frustrated tone. “Well, that's the nature of golf in general. But on a links course like this, things like this happens," he told me. Then he looked at me. "You're lucky” he said in a matter of a fact tone. “Really?!” I said obviously upset tone.

“Yeah really, he replied. And he continued on. "You were really pissed after that double bogey. It really got in your head because you hit good shots and got bad breaks. If you would have had to play some more holes I don’t think you would have been able to recover emotionally. You could have had some bad holes which would have been a disaster. You were whining all day about bad breaks. Look around. It's been happening to guys all week. A guy gets screwed on a bad bounce and gets mad and starts blaming the course and has a terrible round." Then Zack, got right in my face and looked at me in the eye. “Tomorrow is the day. There is going to be more pressure than you can imagine. Whoever is mentally strong will win this thing. Whoever loses their cool is out of the race. What’s it going to be with you tomorrow Jim?," he asked in a stern tone.

I stepped back. I was a little surprised. Not many caddies will do what Zack just did. Get in the player's face and tell it the way it is. But Zack is a different Cat. He knows what he is doing. And I knew that he was absolutely right. “You're right” I said in a agreeing tone. “I appreciate you calling me out on this one. I was letting these bounces get in my head today," I told him. “You're hitting the ball better than you ever have in your life. Stay mentally strong tomorrow and you will do well," he replied in a reassuring tone. “I can’t argue with that with that” I told replied.

“Hey you up for a beer?” I asked. He said he was. “Let’s go, I am buying," I told him. We went to a place close to our hotel and had a couple of beers and had dinner. We did not even talk about golf very much, I think we both needed to clear our minds. I told him all about Emily and how we have really developed a relationship and I can’t wait to see her. He talked about his wife and kids and how he misses them and ready to get back home. It was just a good time to get our minds off the game for a little while. As I was talking to him I was wondering if I should tell him about my weird experiences with the crazy voice in my head that seemed to happen right after I won the masters. And how that crazy voice is so enthusiastic on every golf shot and how it gives me motivation to practice and play. And all the weird dreams I am having. Finally I decide to talk to him about this. I have never said anything to anyone about this.

“Zack," I said. “You have been in this business a long time right?," I asked. Yep, I have been doing this for a while," he replied. “And I bet you have seen a lot of crazy things, right?” “Yeah," he replied in a confused tone. “Zack, I have a question. Right after I won the masters did you notice anything different about me?," I asked. He thought for a few seconds. “Well I noticed that you seemed to be more motivated with your golf game. Also you seemed to be a little confused for a while. And still at times you still seem a little confused. But geez Jim. All that you have been through the last few months, I think anyone one would be confused. You have been through alot this year. And mostly for the good. Winning big tournaments, changing your golf swing which has transformed your game, and meeting a woman who you really like. The only bad thing that has happened to you if the bizarre incident at the US Open during the ceremony when you were attacked,."

“Yeah, you got a good point, it is been a crazy year I replied. I paused. “Have you ever seen a player go through some weird things after they won a Major tournament?," I asked. “Can’t say I have. But all professional golfers are a little wacky anyway," he said jokingly. “So what bugging you Jim? Let me know what's on your mind," he asked.

I took a deep breath. “Ok, here's the deal," I replied. Then I just opened up and intently started telling him about all the strange things that have been going through. I told him about that voice that is always in my head that seems to drive me to wanting to practice and play more and more. Also how that voice got upset at me when I was not able to play for a while when I had the rib injury. I told him about all the weird dreams. I told him about Jerry Churchill when he told me “Keep it Parallel Jim, Keep it Parallel” and how that was so familiar to me. And how I hear that on the golf course some times when I am in a pressure situation and how it seems to calm me down. I talked about times when we were playing in the tournaments and I was not playing like a pro at all for a few holes, but more like an armateur. But when I heard the voice “Keep it Parallel Jim, Keep it Parallel," I was able to calm down and get back to normal. I told him I think Jerry Churchill knows something about me but I do not know what it is. I just spilled my guts talking about all this to Zack. I unloaded all the emotions that I have had build up inside me for the last few months.

He listened intently. But he did not act shocked. He seemed to have the demeanor of calm and cool as he was listening to what I had to say. I must have talked a few minutes, but I was finally finished.

“Ever heard anything like that?," I asked. He looked at me calm but concerned. He could have made some joke, but he did not. “Jim," he said. “No I have not heard anything like that. But the human brain and emotions can play all kinds of tricks on us. I am sure you are just going through some emotional stress and your brain is dealing with it in an unusual way. The good thing is that most of the issues have resulted in positive actions. You have found new found enthusiasm for the game. But of course those emotions may turn on you in the future. Have you seen anyone about this? Any Counseling,?" he asked.

“Nope” I replied. “You're the first person I have mentioned it to. “Well I would recommend to see a psychologist for some counseling on this. I know that will help. I have been to a counselor a couple of times in my life when I was having problems. And it really helped me a lot. A lot of people have a stigma about seeing a psychologist or some type of counselor. They think only crazy people do this. But is not that way at all. They are professionals and have heard it all. They can evaluate any emotional issues, and get you back on the right track. I know for a fact that there are quite a few PGA professionals that get counseling, it is a good thing. I actually know a good sports psychologist that works with PGA professionals. I can get that info for you if you like when we get back home," he told me sincerely. I nodded my head. “Yeah, lets do that” I replied. “Done deal. Just don’t worry about all this now. You are fine. Besides, we have a big day tomorrow," he said as we were getting up and leaving. “This is true” I replied.

We went back to the hotel, and I went to my room. I felt good. I felt like the world has been lifted off my shoulders by sharing this with him. It was no longer pent up inside of me. I really felt relieved and happy. I felt relaxed for the first time in months. I made a comment to myself to see that sports psychologist that Zack told me about. Maybe I can get my emotions back to normal. I went to bed that night and slept the best that I have in a long time. No dreams at all. Just peaceful sleep.

Final Day of the British Open.