January 2005

Monday 24 January - Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, Palm Springs
Welcome back! This is my first entry for 2005. We are in Palm Springs for the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. I have been practicing hard over the last few weeks in West Palm Beach and am excited to be back on TOUR. I am playing 7 events on a medical extension, but this week I have Dawn Suggs and Mike Milthorpe, the Bob Hope Event Directors, to thank for giving me a coveted invitation. The event this week is played over 5 rounds at PGA West over 4 courses and that's why I am here early to start practicing on the courses. I had 3 good rounds last year and 2 poor ones, so I aim to keep it going over all five this year. The rest of the season is going to a matter of taking opportunities whenever they arise. I am entered for the Monday qualifying at the FBR Open and then hope to play the AT & T, then Tucson before the TOUR swings into Florida. I have asked for invitations and am hoping that I am included where ever possible. I will catch up with you after the opening round of the year on Wednesday.

Sunday 30 January - Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, Palm Springs, 69, 70, 69, 73
A poor last round ended my hopes of making the final round of the tournament. I played pretty well all week, although I didn't take many chances on the great greens here in the desert. Rounds of 69 at Bermuda Dunes, 70 at Tamarisk, 69 at La Quinta put me on the bubble and in need of a solid 67 or 68 at PGA West. I started from the 10th on the Palmer Course at PGA West and was off to the worst possible start with a bogey. It was the 16th that really cost me with a double to go +3. I hit back with a good 2 at the next and needed a birdie on the 18th to get back on track, but made 6 pushing hard. Out in 39 was too many and despite cominmg back in 34, a 73 with the scoring so low was too many by, I think, 4 shots. I now have a day to get to Phoenix as I am playing in the Qualifying event for the Phoenix FBR Open. It felt good to be back and my game is a little rusty, but breaking par in 3 of 4 rounds has given me some confidence. Thanks for all the emails of support for being back - I really appreciate it! Catch up from Phoenix, Per

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