<p>By the time you get to read this, I would have been done with my third round, late into Saturday night Indian time.<br /><br /></p>.<p> The first two days were a massive contrast to each other in terms of conditions -- if the first was nice scoring conditions in excellent weather, the second day was almost a beast, rain, cold and windy! But then this is Scotland and this is the Open. Expect the best and worst of weather in a matter of hours.<br /><br />The moving day on Saturday in any event is always a big day. It becomes all the more crucial in a Major and here we are – right at the weekend when things begin to happen.<br /><br />When I finish on Friday after a round of one-over 72 to get to one-under for 36 holes, I was around the 30-32nd place, but by the time the round finished, I had risen to 22nd, just sitting in the room. The conditions were tougher as I expected after finishing the round and scoring more difficult.<br /><br />I am really hoping to do well over the weekend. I love the Open -- it feels great to get into the weekend for the third time in four starts. But with two finishes at T-31 and T-30, I want to get in closer and hopefully contend.<br /><br />To be honest I now feel very comfortable about playing the Majors. This is my fourth Open – the most I have played among the four Majors. And it still stays my favourite. This year I have been the least nervous – a sign that I am more comfortable at this level than before.<br /><br />It’s nice to get more comfortable starting in weeks like this, knowing what is achievable from what I’ve done from Majors of the past. I feel like I play my best golf when I focus really hard during the Majors. I have had my chances of coming close even at the Majors and hopefully the final two rounds will be an evidence of that.<br /><br />Honestly one good round in deep red numbers can get you close for Sunday. Sure the two guys at the top – Phil Mickelson and Henrik Stenson are playing great golf at 10-under and nine-under. <br /><br />But coming down, three and four-under have a shot at Top-10 if not better.<br />So one good round on Saturday can set up things for Sunday and then as they say, anything can happen!</p>
<p>By the time you get to read this, I would have been done with my third round, late into Saturday night Indian time.<br /><br /></p>.<p> The first two days were a massive contrast to each other in terms of conditions -- if the first was nice scoring conditions in excellent weather, the second day was almost a beast, rain, cold and windy! But then this is Scotland and this is the Open. Expect the best and worst of weather in a matter of hours.<br /><br />The moving day on Saturday in any event is always a big day. It becomes all the more crucial in a Major and here we are – right at the weekend when things begin to happen.<br /><br />When I finish on Friday after a round of one-over 72 to get to one-under for 36 holes, I was around the 30-32nd place, but by the time the round finished, I had risen to 22nd, just sitting in the room. The conditions were tougher as I expected after finishing the round and scoring more difficult.<br /><br />I am really hoping to do well over the weekend. I love the Open -- it feels great to get into the weekend for the third time in four starts. But with two finishes at T-31 and T-30, I want to get in closer and hopefully contend.<br /><br />To be honest I now feel very comfortable about playing the Majors. This is my fourth Open – the most I have played among the four Majors. And it still stays my favourite. This year I have been the least nervous – a sign that I am more comfortable at this level than before.<br /><br />It’s nice to get more comfortable starting in weeks like this, knowing what is achievable from what I’ve done from Majors of the past. I feel like I play my best golf when I focus really hard during the Majors. I have had my chances of coming close even at the Majors and hopefully the final two rounds will be an evidence of that.<br /><br />Honestly one good round in deep red numbers can get you close for Sunday. Sure the two guys at the top – Phil Mickelson and Henrik Stenson are playing great golf at 10-under and nine-under. <br /><br />But coming down, three and four-under have a shot at Top-10 if not better.<br />So one good round on Saturday can set up things for Sunday and then as they say, anything can happen!</p>
