US Senior Open

          This will be my second trip to Sahalee.  I played the 1998 PGA, won by Vijay Singh, which was actually the last major championship I played during my regular Tour career.  I recall getting up on the first tee and going, "Holy crap, how do I fit a ball between the trees?"  I ended up making the cut and having a pretty good time.  Rick Fehr gave me his house for the week which made it nice and homey.

          Last week I played in the Reno - Tahoe Open.  I received a call from the Tour office at 11:00 AM Monday morning saying I was in.  My first reaction was, "Are you kidding me?"  I have no business getting into a regular PGA Tour event these days.  I am not pursuing it.  I am not preparing for it.  It is not my league.  I went knowing I was not ready to play and it showed.  The good news is it revealed to me how much help I needed to get prepared, and be ready for the Senior Open.  So this week I have gotten swing advice my my old friend Bryan Gathright.  I have a plan.  I'll be ready.

          To all those PGA Tour players who skipped the Reno - Tahoe Open I have one message.  The day will come when you will give almost anything to compete in one more PGA Tour event.  By stiffing a great event such as the Reno - Tahoe Open, they will not be there for you.  Don't be like that!  Support the events who want you to be there.  Don't assume they will always be there for you.

          One last thing about Reno; I met Annika Sorenstam, her husband Mike McGee, their baby and her parents.  That was fun!
          Look for more soon!

David Ogrin
July 21, 2010