Daily Log - Saturday
5:20 AM - Jared
For not being a morning person, I’m getting really good at waking up. I ride the shuttle bus to Southern Hills with Barry Lewis of the Tulsa World. We talk prep sports, because he’s without a doubt the most knowledgable man in Oklahoma in that regard.
6:30 AM - Jared
The tournament is delayed by 37 minutes due to storms that are moving through the area. Yesterday’s high temperature nearly touched 90 degrees, and it’s currently in the 50s with a decent north wind and a heavy drizzle of rain.
6:45 AM - Spencer
Swing by OnCue to fill up the tank and grab a Gatorade before I head back up the Turner Turnpike. I have the next hour and a half to contemplate all the reasons QuikTrip is superior.
7:00 AM - Jared
Breakfast. Frittata, yogurt and grapes.
7:37 AM - Jared
Cedar Ridge Country Club’s director of golf Tracy Phillips tees up on No. 1 at the PGA Championship. The 56-year old is not in this week’s field - he missed qualifying by a tiny margin. Instead, he’s serving as a marker for the first pairing of the day. Today, he’s with Brian Harmon. Tomorrow, he’s flying to Michigan to compete in the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship.
8:00 AM - Jared
Down to the range. It’s starting to mist, but I don’t mind. I’ve decided this is my favorite part of this championship - inside access to watch the world’s greatest golf stars work through their process. I head over the bridge to the other side, and almost immediately I witness Tiger’s leg buckle. He recovers, but it doesn't look particularly promising.
8:25 AM - Spencer
Talk about textbook time management. Let’s catch the 8:30 shuttle and head to the course. Chilly start to the day.
9:10 AM - Spencer
Breakfast. Chorizo and egg frittata. Fruit mix. Black coffee to warm the bones.
10:00 AM - Jared
Spencer has made it to the range. We watch Marty Smith (ESPN) do what he does best - charm everyone and win America’s collective heart. We catch his attention and chat about Stillwater and more.
11:30 AM - Jared
Today is a bit of a blur, to be honest. I keep thinking about the phenomenon that is occurring in front of us. Years of planning has culminated into this week, and it’s hard to believe we only have one day left. From our perch above the ninth and 18th greens, we watch group after group make the turn and finish their rounds of golf. Is this just another business trip for them? Or do they realize how special this place is?
11:45 AM - Spencer
Lunch. Fantastic fried catfish and a club sandwich with a side of green beans. A brownie (or two) and a lemon bar for dessert.
4:00 PM - Jared
Hearty afternoon snack. Crab rangoon and bratwurst. Weird combo, but it works for me. A lot of players seem to struggle with this unusual north wind. The course has essentially flipped.
5:30 PM - Jared
Shuttle home. The ladies are waiting on us and I’m supposed to pick up dinner.
7:20 PM - Jared
We’re enjoying too much Andolini’s pizza at the house when we receive an email from the PGA of America. After a third-round 79, Tiger Woods has officially withdrawn from the championship. I’m not sure how to feel. Selfishly, I want to see him finish what he started. I want to see one more mob of thousands working its way through the course. But I appreciate the effort he gave this week. And we hope for the best.