Mikes Diary - Round 3 - 2008 US Open

The third round of the U.S. Open was a better one for me. I was really pleased with the way I hit the ball and while I did get some putts to drop, it would have been nice to have a couple more drop in. I felt it 
was very close to being an exceptional day for me.

Still, at this tournament, anytime you're under par, that's a good score so I'm far from upset. Today, as soon as I got out there, I could tell it was going to be a difficult day. There was enough wind blowing to make it interesting and the pins were in some tricky spots so I knew if I could keep the ball on the fairways and on the greens, I'd have a chance to go low.

I made two nice birdies on the front side on the fifth and seventh holes, but also had to add in a bogey there on the sixth. On the back side, I made a nice birdie on the 14th and thought I was going to get on a roll over the final few holes. On 15 however, I had some tree trouble and suffered a set back with a double.I was really happy about coming back from that with a birdie on the 16th and after I hit my drive into the fairway on 18, I said to Brennan that if we could make a birdie on the last, we'd be right back in it. I hit a three-wood to the green but it ran through the back but I made the up and down to finish up with a birdie.

Those last two birdies were huge for me. Not only did they keep me within striking distance of the lead, but it changes the entire emotion of the day. Instead of ending up with that double and sitting on that all night, the two birdies buoy me heading into Sunday.

With the lead at three under, there's a lot of ground to make up but on this course, shots can slip away very quickly. I also believe, however, that there's a low round out there. You would have to play an almost perfect round of golf, but unlike past U.S. Opens, there seems to be the opportunity for a good round.

There's also something to be said for experience and I have been in this position many times in my career. The more times you're in this position, the less you worry about it and are able to just focus on 
the shot you need to play. That's what I'll be doing over the final 18 holes.

I'm hitting the ball well and if I can get my putter to co-operate, I think I can get out there and make some birdies. Who knows what will happen after that - this certainly has been an exciting week.

As always, thanks for your support.
Mike