GolfPutting it all on the line

Beginning of Story Content

As I sit in Mobile, Ala., preparing for the Mobile Bay LPGA Classic at Magnolia Grove, I'm feeling the best about my game that I have felt in about a year. I feel great because I putted extremely well last week in the LPGA Lotte Championship.

It was so nice to get back to Hawaii. We haven't had an event there since 2009. We were back in the southwest part of Oahu at Ko Olina Resort and conditions were tough. The trade winds were constantly blowing, at least 30 kph. Usually we play in Hawaii in February, so the golf course played much differently than how we were used to it playing due to the wind direction. The winds were almost the exact opposite direction from February, when the Kona winds blow.

I struck the ball very well all four days, which was very nice for me because I have struggled in the wind the past year. The main difference was I just took more club into the wind or with a cross wind and kept a smooth tempo. I controlled my ball flight much better and, therefore, my distance control was dead on.

In the past, I may have swung too hard instead of clubbing up one club.

The main turnaround for me came after eight holes. I had missed about four putts to that point, all just right of the target, so I made the decision going up the ninth fairway that I would put my Titleist ball down with the Pro V1x line going down to my target. Then, I would put the putter head behind the ball and make sure the line on my putter was an extension of the line on the ball.

I started rolling the ball dead on my intended line.

I started making putts from 15 feet and in. I would just make sure the line was aimed where I wanted to ball to start, then get my putter square to that line and let it go. What a difference! I only had one round with more than 30 putts. Once they started going in, I thought I could make everything. No complicated thoughts -- just seeing the line and stroking it. That is how I should always think and feel, but it is tough when the ball doesn't go in. I felt like it was a turning point for me. It was my best finish (T25) in a year.

I'm so pumped about getting out this week and continuing this strong momentum.

I left Hawaii on Saturday night, catching a red eye flight to Memphis, Tenn., and played Monday in the Pink Ribbon Open, affectionately known as The PRO, at Spring Creek Ranch. This tournament raises money for breast cancer, which is an important cause to support. My past coach Craig Harmon's wife, Sandy, is suffering from breast cancer, so it was an especially important day for me this year.

The event was a huge success.

I arrived in Mobile late Monday, just in time to watch the Phoenix Coyotes blank the Chicago Blackhawks 4-0 and wrap up their first-round playoff series 4-2.

Wow, thank goodness Mike Smith is a great goaltender. He held the team together for the first two periods. I was pretty nervous watching the game as Phoenix had no offence until the third. Considering I live in Arizona, I'm very happy and excited that the Coyotes are on to the second round. I've already purchased tickets.

Looking forward to a great week in Mobile, then it's back to Phoenix to cheer on the 'Yotes!

End of Story Content