Tags: Harbour Town Golf Links, Verizon Heritage, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
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Last weekend, the Verizon Heritage tournament at Harbour Town Golf Links was a nice homecoming. You all know I love South Carolina. It is the best place to live and I had so many friends and fans there. And Hilton Head is a beautiful place...

My first round felt great. I was hitting the ball real well and could have taken it a bit lower, but I was happy. Then in the second round, things took a turn for the worse when I shot 10 on the par-4 10th hole. I'd had some trouble with my three wood and I pulled it bad off the tee. I decided to drop in front of the water and play a big hook to the front of the green and try to make 5.  I pulled the heck out of that shot, which again went into the water, and it spiraled into my next shot that also went in the water. I guess I was playing so well that I got to the point I was just trying so hard to make a score that may not have been reachable and it was just one of those things. On the positive side, I was 3 under for 35 holes and 6 over on 1 hole...

I kept fighting and almost missed the cut by two strokes despite that big number. I guess that's just my nature... I don't back down and I never quit.

My plan now is to keep hitting it the way I've been and go make some money.

Thanks to eveyone for their support!

Tags: Chitimacha Louisiana Open, Shell Houston Open, Taste of Louisiana
My last weekend at the Chitimacha Louisiana Open was positive because I started making putts for the first time this year. I have had a rough go of it with the ole putter. It was also good to see a lot of my friends again. I know a lot of those players, know a lot of players all over, but you know it is kinda hard to develop friendships because every player has his own agenda: practice different times, eat different times, etc. While I was in Louisiana, I attended a festival called the Taste of Louisiana where I tried different foods from different restaurants and that was a lot of fun.

I am first alternate for the Shell Houston Open. On Tuesday morning I played a practice round in the morning and after that eat a late lunch. Then, I practiced some more and called it a day. On Wednesdays, I usually practice some, eat lunch and this week, I hope I get in the tournament. But I prepare my game to be ready for the first round...but it just adds the to the pain of the waiting because you need someone to withdraw to get in. I don't like to root against anyone else. I like to win my own battles.

Peace,

Two Gloves...

Tags: Puerto Rico Open, Chitimacha Louisiana Open, PGA Tour, Nationwide Tour
It was a good weekend making the cut at the Puerto Rico Open, but a bad weekend cause it could have been SO much better. If I could have made some putts, my 69 on Friday was a 63 easily. I three-putted four times Sunday and that killed my round. As I've told you all before, I am hitting the ball great, just need to get it rolling.

I do consider myself an aggressive player. I do have to learn when to take the risks and when not to take them. Sometimes I press to make cuts or press to score and need to balance that with not making bogies. But I do not expect to hold back on going for it when the time is right.

I am currently playing in the Chitimacha Louisiana Open presented by Dynamic Industries on the Nationwide Tour. I had been an alternate for the PGA Tour event in New Orleans, but not enough people dropped out by Thursday morning for me to get in. That is my life on tour right now...wait and see...lots of waiting and seeing...

GolfLink Question of the Week! Charlie King from Troutman, N.C., asks:

I have been practicing my short game very extensively and 80 yards and in is money for me. But for some reason I am having a #@!$ of a time hitting my fairway woods and hybrid right now...was wondering if you could help with setup tips, the swing and ball position... Rock on player... Go Get The Money!!

Charlie, thanks for the support! It is kinda hard for me to give you some tips unless I know which way you are missing it. If you are hitting it right, you're either lined up right and hitting it that way or you are getting a head of the golf ball. Try to stay behind it. If you are hitting it left, try aiming farther right or you could be coming too far over the top. If you are topping it, you are out of position at impact. Try to keep your head over the ball and concentrate on the ball. If these do not work, consult the pro at your club and let him look you over...those guys are real good at giving simple drills to help your game. Keep hitting those wedges close and remember to have fun!

Two Gloves...

Tags: Tiger Woods, Puerto Rico Open, Bri Vega, Big Break
Tiger is a phenom. No one else compares to what he has been able to accomplish at his age. Tiger has made everyone better that is playing on the tour against him. He's even made the younger players better, so they are ready for the PGA Tour. The thing that makes Tiger's run so unbelievable is the competition on the tour is so tough, but he donimates week in and week out. That's what I want. He has made our purses bigger...I have the best job in the world playing for almost a million a week. Tiger has earned my respect a great deal. I am just a rookie and I want to be just like him. Who wouldn't?

I am in Puerto Rico at the Puerto Rico Open and my Spanish sucks. I have been in a slump, and this week the slump ends! Top 10 for me this week.

GolfLink Question of the Week! Andrew Luey from San Carlos, Calif., asks:

You're doing great on your first year on the tour. Have you talked with Bri Vega lately? You guys had such 'chemistry' on the Big Break. It made great TV. Hope you guys get together.

Bri and I have great chemistry...she is such a great player and wonderful person. We are good friends.

Thanks y'all!

Two Gloves

Tags: The Honda Classic, Puerto Rico Open, Adams Golf, Orlando
Well, I obviously did not play as well as I would have liked at The Honda Classic. I mean the course was tough, but that's not a good excuse. I figured some things out on the mental side on Thursday night and it helped getting things rolling with three birdies to start on Friday. I really thought I was going to go low, but sometimes no matter how good your head is, if your game is off just a bit out there, the wheels fall off rather quickly.

I've been hanging at home and will be playing next in the Puerto Rico Open March 20. Before then, I am heading to Orlando to work on my game a bit and meet with the Adams Golf folks about clubs and do some testing. I'm just trying to relax at home and get ready for the next run. I know what it’s like now to be out there and I am ready, definitely ready...

I have been hitting my irons well, so I'm just keeping them tuned. My driver has been leaking right, so I am working on that. My Adams 3 wood (that I loved!) cracked at Pebble Beach and I just haven't been able to find another one that works. I've also been working on my putting which I think just about every player does. It is the easiest thing to practice so there's no excuse to being a bad putter as far as I'm concerned.

GolfLink Question of the Week! Ray Cherry of Chattanooga, Tennessee, asks:

At 62 years of age I play over 100 rounds a year and walk 95 percent of the time. My question is: "What type of food do you eat to keep up your energy level prior to a tournament or snacks during a tournament?"

Ray,

That is awesome! I sure hope when I get to be 62 I am playing a lot of golf. I am not necessarily the best person to talk to about eating right, but I am working on that, too. I've learned about how you can eat the right way to keep your blood sugars level (avoid sugar, Ray...it will just make you crash and burn). A guy I've been speaking to told me you need to eat 5 times a day and keep the foods simple. I don’t know for sure the right answers, but the more I learn, the more I'll let you all know.

Thanks for the support!

Two Gloves...

Tags: Mayakoba Golf Classic, Mexico, PGA Tour, Honda Classic
I am happy to be back in the States after making the cut and finishing T54 at the Mayakoba Golf Classic in Mexico. I was psyched to play all four days. I was not used to missing cuts in my past years playing golf, but it's a whole new world out here. I need to adjust a little more to the PGA Tour life and realize, it's just golf and I can play out here.

I was really hittin' the ball well the first day of the tournament when I posted a 66. But overall I was definitely not satisfied with my performance last week. I am a much better player than I have shown thus far in the 13 rounds I have played. Hitting the ball well, just not scoring at all...

Mexico is a beautiful place though...beautiful. I was afraid of the water—not of swimming in the water, drinking it. I am a pretty basic guy when it comes to food, so my options were limited. And the people looked at me funny when I asked for something...I guess it's my accent.

I was listed as an alternate for the Honda Classic and just found out that enough players have dropped out, so I'm in. I missed at the Monday qualifier...same type of round I've had all year...an eagle and 5 birdies and shot 1-under. But now that I'm in, I'm ready.

Thanks for your support.

Two Gloves...

No regular blog today, just an update for my fans that I'll be playing this week at the Mayakoba Golf Classic in Mexico's Rivera Maya. Wish me luck!

Tags: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Northern Trust Open, PGA Tour, Q-School
Coming off the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am last week, I felt I hit the ball really well. I just had a few bad shots here and there and you can't do that, especially on the PGA Tour. I really enjoyed playing with Dan Marino, a legend and a great guy. But I have to say my most memorable part of the trip was making a hole-in-one on No. 7 during my Monday practice round at Pebble Beach...just awesome! I've had about seven or so before that, but that was by far the best. I am hitting the ball real well. I need to work on my putting and short game for sure...definitely my putting.

When I get a big number on a hole like I did last week, I just try to look past that experience and move on to the next hole or the next shot. You have to stay mentally tough. You have to remember what you are there to do, and that’s to win golf tournaments. If you go out to win and you just come up short, you make a top 10. If you go out to make a cut and you come up short, you’re headed home.

I missed the Monday qualifier for the Northern Trust...shot 69, needed 66. The Tour is a bit hard to explain. Basically I, along with the other guys from Nationwide Tour and Q-school, have a number according to where we finished on the Nationwide Tour or Q-school. We are behind the top 125 guys at events and a slew of others like Monday qualifiers or top 10s from the previous week. At every event the player needs to commit to the tournament the week before, so our group of guys needs to just wait and see who commits or drops out and we can step in.

It is definitely expensive on tour...flying, hotels, food and always on the road. You have to be patient, too, especially in my position. You need to be ready to roll the minute they tell you you’re on the tee, even if it’s 5 minutes before.

The Tour is a grind, but it is great and I wouldn't change it for anything.  I have been getting a lot of requests from people and that takes up some of my time, but I'll tell you right now, I love my fans and the fans of the game and I will always have time for them.

peace,

two gloves...

Tags: Pebble Beach Pro-Am, The Big Break, Hootie and the Blowfish, Steve Spurrier, PGA Tour

Hey, everybody, Tommy Gainey here. This is my first year on the PGA Tour and my first blog on GolfLink.com. Hopefully I’ll be able to use this blog to give you an idea of what things are like in my world.

In my first two events of the year, I played the Sony Open in Hawaii and the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in La Quinta, California. Overall I think I played well, except for two bad rounds.

Since then, it has actually been great having the time off. I really wanted to play at the Buick Invitational because of the great field and the fact they were playing at Torrey Pines, where the U.S. Open is going to be coming soon. But even though I didn’t make it off the alternate list, I got to play a few practice rounds there, so I’ll know what it’s like if I get in the Open. I worked a lot on my game with my caddie, Scott Feaster, and some friends and got into a good rhythm…even played TPC Sawgrass.

This week I’ll be playing in the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. I haven’t played any of the courses in the event—Pebble Beach Golf Links, Poppy Hills or Spyglass—only seen them on TV, but they are legendary and I’m looking to go out and have a great week.

The event is a pro-am, so I’ll be playing alongside celebrities as well as other golfers. People have asked me if I felt like pro-am events were a distraction from the game, but I can tell you that after being on The Big Break, nothing feels like a distraction. I also play in an event every year with Hootie and the Blowfish. That tournament is a blast and they raise a lot of money for kids in my state, South Carolina. In fact, if I had to choose a celebrity I’d like to play with this week, I’d have to say Steve Spurrier, coach of my beloved Gamecocks!

Mostly though, I hope to play some great golf. I’ve spent my two weeks off working on consistency and focusing on my short approach shots and putting. I feel really good about my game and expect to have a good year. Thanks to all my fans for your support!