Thanks for the kind wishes-and congrats to Pat.
The difference between the 1% er and the .01% er.
I'm a club pro that loves playing golf (in the height of my busy season)as are many/most of the dreamers at The Senior Open qualifying.
Having never had the skills of a touring professionalI-I enjoy the test-but as Bobby Jones said, "there's golf, and then there's tunamint golf" (few are aware of this distinction unless they've ever played in a stroke play event with a scoreboard-especially in the internet age-where there is no hiding)
As a grinder, I typically finish in the Top third/half of the field in such events which puts me ahead of many of us dreamers, but a fair notch below actually qualifying as the heat down the stretch intensifies when one is in the hunt.
I've been "in the hunt" for some portion of every Open qualifier round and in at least one case , right until the end, and make no mistake-it's a tough chore to close-and few are immune to it-especially when they are not in the .01 % ballstrikingwise.
Was thrilled to be there and get a much needed perspective clearing before returning to the the day job.
Nice to play a few rounds on my own terms and start to feel it coming together-a course such as Montrose demands focus and control as big number trouble lurks for virtually any stray shot.
Played Traigh 9 holer twice and played 4 rounds at Montrose.(which I learned was the 5th oldest course in the world)
Loved how the course played right out of the town and back
Played with the current head Professional at Royal Porthcawl in the qualifier, brilliant ballstriker and trajectory control-great to watch.
He struggled with the putter unfortunately but he was pure flighting the ball in the wind.
Montrose was a great course-I've been very fortunate on the courses I've drawn over the years.
Could've used a bit more wind and firmer conditions to raise the scores and weed out the Americans and inland players
-lots of rain leading up to and during event.
Edit
Just got my bet down.
50 pounds on Scott Parel to win (400 to 1)
50 pounds on him to finish Top 10 (40 to 1)
High School teammate-turned pro at 35-has Monday qualified successfully 7 of 8 times on Senior Tour this year.
Finished 7th in Senior PGA in May, and is a wonderful driver.
Recent rain, predicted warm weather and soft conditions should mitigate his disadvantage being an American links rookie.