I've got to make it to write just my feelings about what has been going on each day!! "Private Diary": I do not know why, but I feel a little uneasy about until when it will last.  Riko Higashio

April 16.2006 Saturday

This week, or shall I say during last week, Internet service in my room was out of order and I can only use my dial up connection so I did not have a chance to use my PC. I was not in Casino but just did not have a chance to access my internet and my week was over. I am sorry for that. (must be kidding!) Its Las Vegas! I sometimes travel to the middle of nowhere for the tournaments as you know, but I like big cities and a week like this really excites me. At the same time, this was the first tournament since my shoulder injury so I arrived here with mixed feelings and uncertainty.

During this tournament, TAKEFUJI Classic, I was doing OK till 6th hole on the first day but on 7th, I pushed my driver to the right and went out of bounds. On next 8th hole, par 3, I shanked my 7th and the ball ended up in the lake for a double bogie. 9th hole, par 5, my second shot went into the water again to make a bogie. During those 3 holes, I went 5 over! I was thinking that I need some work to get my feeling back but I was not frustrated and calmed myself for the second half.

My shots did not improve but my approach and putting helped me to reach the final hole with 1 under for the second half. On the last hole, I had nice driver shot which left me with 205 yards with the wind at my back. This green was a pretty difficult one with many lakes guarding it and there is no margin for mistake. I had 4 wood and must have had a practice swing 10 times (I was waiting for the green to clear as well). My shot went about 8m next to the cup as I imagined. I made Eagle for the hole and managed to finish the day with a score of 2 over. It was not an excellent score but it was a very rewarding 2-over finish for the first day.

On Second day, I was playing offensive. We did not have much wind in the morning and I used that opportunity to make 4 under for the morning. I was ready for more for the second half but the score did not improve much. I was 3 under for the day which made 1 under for the tournament. I made the cut and moved into the final round.

Las Vegas used to be, or still is, in a desert. That means that the ground is very hard. Not only my feet but even my knees got sore from walking. I thought we are used to walking on the golf course but this is totally different. I was surprised about this and don't want to make this as an excuse but my shots which improved on the second day went all over on the final day. I could not improve my score and ended the same as I started - 1 under for the tournament. I have mixed feelings about this tournament. I thought I did pretty well for the condition I was in but I knew I could have done better. One positive note- I was mentally strong. It has been a while since I felt this way and hope I can do well next week.

This week, I said Sayonara to Las Vegas without making any visits to the Casino! I did not want use up my good luck and wanted to reserve my concentration for the Golf Course. I was hoping to visit after the tournament but did not have time for that. One positive note, I managed to see a Celine Dion show. She had not only a good voice but her power and emotion was something. I recommend you to see her concert when you have a chance.