WHAT A DAY! Today has to have been one of the most intense, enjoyable and frustrating rounds of golf I have ever played, all rolled in one.

When I woke up this morning, things really didn't look that great. It was cold and windy and rain was pelting down. I switched on the television to check the live coverage and saw the players really struggling out there. Guys like Phil [Mickelson] and Ernie [Els] and Vijay [Singh] were having such a rough time, I didn't know what to expect.

As it got closer to my tee off though, it looked like the weather would break and clear up for me. I had my fingers crossed for sure.

Well, it did stop raining. But it also got windier and a lot colder!

I didn't get off to a great start, bogeying the first hole. After two pars, I then got on the bogey train again from holes 4 to 7 and before I knew it I was 5 over!

I wasn't hitting it that badly but was getting really unlucky with some bounces off the fairway and around the green. Anyway, I didn't let it get me down and I steadied things with 5 straight pars.

Then it got really interesting! I bogeyed hole 13, which I shouldn't have but for a poor bunker shot. Hole 14, I pulled it left and made another bad bogey.

Then I got my first birdie of the Open at hole 15! Then I nearly lost my ball in the rough on hole 16 and ended up with a double bogey. Hit great drive and a 5 iron into hole 17, the long par 5, and made birdie. Killed a drive down hole 18, leaving just a sand wedge to the green, and made birdie again. What a great way to finish! Three birdies in the last four holes!

It was almost dark when I finished, which was about 9:40 p.m. local time, but there were still people in the grandstand cheering us on.

So I finished with a 76. Right now that is tied for 74th position. But the difference between me and the leaders is only seven shots. That is how tight the tournament is right now. And I know I have a great chance to play well tomorrow and make it to the weekend rounds.

The key for me is to get through the front nine with as few mistakes as possible. For some reason, I don't like the front nine as much as the back. I think the layout and wind on that nine are really tough for me.

If I can keep it together and get myself into good shape going into the back nine, I should be just fine tomorrow.

I'll be praying for no rain, less wind and more birdies than bogeys!