That's it. I'm done. I surrender. I have come to concede my defeat.
After a full month of trying... after a personal best of 73... (Even par through the dreaded 15 and 3 bogeys immediately after) ... I have come to the conclusion that I will not qualify for the US Open. I wish to congratulate those who have. You are better than me and I salute you. Best of luck, hit them far and straight and may the best player win.
To the victor belong the spoils...
Now we just have to wait for the next upgrade to find the next challenge. Hopefully I will be better prepared to meet it.
Cheers to the qualifiers and double cheers to the winner.
**edit .. PS. A huge THANK YOU to WGT and the USGA for this most intimate look at Bethpage Black. I can honestly say that because of this game, I have enjoyed watching the Open so much more. To see holes that I know, bunkers I have been in, to 'feel' the absolute futility of the deep rough, every ridge on every green, was just amazing.
Thank you WGT and USGA. Thank you for the opportunity to experience that truly magnificent course.