I was out the door at 5:45 AM in a driving rain which was forecast to end between 7 and 8 AM. I liked the sound of that even though it forced me to walk in it directly to the scores tent so that that I could register for bullpen duty to be on the bullpen within the 6 30–7 a.m. window. Tim was there said he was happy to see me and that I was third on the list. I told him my option of joining the MMA crew later in the day if it turned out, my services were not needed as a score. He said that my chances of getting out as a score were pretty light and that if I didn’t hear from them, I should check back at 10 AM. So, I cooled my heels with breakfast and rest until 10 and then headed back to scoring on my way. I bumped into Greg Hammond and updated him about my situation. He welcomed having my help with whatever group I decided. I selected Scheffler Dash Burns, teeing off at 11:10 so we arrange to meet at the first tea Tim confirmed with me that I wouldn’t be needed as a score so I headed to the first T to join Greg‘s group of three other MAs. One of the guys surprisingly said, “I’ve seen you on TV!“ I was a bit taken a back by that comment but I guess it could happen. So it was back to being like old times, meaning marshaling the largest gallery of the day with thousands stretching along both sides of each fairway from T to green and then onto the next hole. Shades of Tiger Woods days Greg and I stayed with the players while our other Marshalls went to forward positions. Although the gallery was primarily interested in seeing Scheffler, they also treated burns with equal respect and tended to hold their positions until both players had completed their shots. More than once, Greg said he was really glad that I had joined him as the crowd was so huge. Hydration became an issue As the heat rose into the mid 80s. We were once again restricted from accessing the water chests at HT box, instead having to flag down the volunteer support carts out outside the ropes or locating the semi hidden volunteer supplies., Which seems sort of like a treasure hunt. I got to witness a funny situation at the 16th hole where smiley Kaufman had his happy hour desk set up Ted Scott, Scotty’s caddy faked, a fist bump with smiley, instead dropping a ball into his outstretched hand. Something you wouldn’t readily see on the TV broadcast I imagine. By the 17th T it was becoming apparent that Scotty was threatening to shoot a 59, needing only one more birdie during the two remaining holes. Unfortunately, this didn’t happen and he settled for a 60, despite having 11 birdies in the round! I later heard it was his best putting performance in his entire career statistically.
As we walked off after the 18th green, I was completely exhausted. 19,189 steps. Walking as a Marshall is significantly more challenging, up and down the hills of TPC River Highlands, in the thick rough versus negotiating the short grass in the middle of the fairway as a score. As it turns out after I got home, I developed a case of heat exhaustion and needed to sleep for 12 hours.
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