Day 2 at the Bell Canadian Open

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 01:35:29

Today was a long day, but it sure was a good one!

I'm really pleased with my play so far this week and it couldn't come at a better place or time. All of us Canadians want so much to do well here that when we get a good performance, it's that much more gratifying.

My play on Friday was something I've been feeling for a few weeks. I thought I played very well at the PGA Championship, but didn't get much out of it. It was a week where if my putter had warmed up at all, I really felt as if I could contend. So with that confidence, I knew I was close to putting together a good week and so far, I'm half-way to that goal.

There's no doubt that with my tee time, I drew a break with the weather. Although I only played a handful of holes on Thursday, it was a much different ï¿½ and tougher ï¿½ Glen Abbey than what we had on Friday. There was still some wind on Friday, but it wasn't as strong and conditions were not as wet.

It was important for me to keep a good rhythm going today, with 30 holes to play. I really wanted to get off to a good start so there was no pressure to have to force things. I really only had one blip all day ï¿½ a double bogey on the eight hole. But I managed to correct that with some good play down in the Valley, with birdies on 11, 13 and 14. On the 18th, I actually thought I'd chipped in for eagle, but I wasn't too unhappy to just have a little brush in for birdie there to finish the first round.

I only had time for a quick sandwich and it was back out for the second round and once again, the Valley was good to me. I started on the 10th hole and made a birdie there and another one on the 12th. I got another one on 16 and really felt comfortable out there, very calm and in control.

The best moment of the day came on the fifth hole when I hit my second shot from 230 yards in there to about four feet. I was actually in between clubs ï¿½ either a five-wood or a three-iron and I decided to chase a three-iron up there. When I dropped the putt in for eagle, I couldn't believe the roar from the crowd. The fans were absolutely fantastic all day.

All in all, it was a day I've felt was coming for a while. However, it's also important to remember that I'm only half-way through this tournament. As Canadians, we feel a little extra attention and nerves all week long. It's sort of a ï¿½back-nine-on-Sundayï¿½ feeling right from the moment we put the tee in the ground on Thursday. Every one of us would love to end the 50-year drought of Canadians in this event.

But that's still 36 holes away and I can't get ahead of myself. There are still a lot of good players in this, including Vijay ï¿½ we know what kind of year he's having. It can be hard not to get ahead of yourself here, knowing what's at stake, not to press or to force things. But I've been in a lot of pressure situations before in big tournaments. I hope I can draw on that to stay focused and keep hitting it close and knocking in putts.

Tonight is going to be a quiet night in preparation for tomorrow. I know that after a long, exciting day, it won't take me long to fall asleep tonight.

On the weekend, I'll try my hardest and hope a little bit of this magic sticks around for two more days. No matter what happens, I'm going to have fun.

Thanks for your support,

Mike Weir