@JoelBitonio @lucaspatrick62 @NFLPA 7- Some light refreshments between holes 15 and 16. Tasted well, bad for the swings. Par 5 16th. None were playable and had to take a drop. Approach shot was into a bunker and had our work cut out for us. Couldn’t save par and dropped a shot, bogey. -2 @NFLPA #NFLPAClassic
@JoelBitonio @lucaspatrick62 @NFLPA 8- @ryan_kelly70 takes the groups frustrations out with a piped 330yd 3-wood. And we couldn’t finish, par. @ryan_kelly70 does it again on 18 with a 385yd drive down the middle. But again we can’t finish, miserable par. Circle the club house at -2. @NFLPA #NFLPAClassic
@JoelBitonio @lucaspatrick62 @NFLPA @ryan_kelly70 9- It’s hot, we’re sweating up a storm, lead is falling away from us, and energy is dipping. Head over to the first and we are saved. Tacos, Empanadas, Marquesitas, and cold drinks gave us what we needed. Took a quick 10 minute reset. @NFLPA #NFLPAClassic
@JoelBitonio @lucaspatrick62 @NFLPA @ryan_kelly70 10- The break works. Drivers are firing again for the team (besides me) and we’re dancing on the first green. Struggle with a double breaking putt. 0/3 and haven’t given it a good look yet. @lucaspatrick62 gets up and drains it from 30ft for birdie. -3 @NFLPA #NFLPAClassic
@JoelBitonio @lucaspatrick62 @NFLPA @ryan_kelly70 11- Hole 2 our approaches are just off and down a hill. Couldn’t get up and down to save par. Bogey, -2. @JoelBitonio gets us back into the groove with a great drive and approach on 3 to give us a birdie chance from 18ft. Can’t finish and make par. @NFLPA #NFLPAClassic
@JoelBitonio @lucaspatrick62 @NFLPA @ryan_kelly70 12- Short par 3 4th, staring at the beach with wind ripping into our face. Have to go 2 clubs up. @JoelBitonio fights the wind and hits it hole high to 15 feet. @lucaspatrick62 nails another putt for a huge birdie, -3. @NFLPA #NFLPAClassic
@JoelBitonio @lucaspatrick62 @NFLPA @ryan_kelly70 13- @ryan_kelly70 takes an insane angle and unleashes a monster 385yd drive on the par 5 5th. We land just off the green for an eagle look. I watch the two putts and adjust accordingly to drain it from 20 feet out. -4 and shoot up the leaderboard. @NFLPA #NFLPAClassic
@JoelBitonio @lucaspatrick62 @NFLPA @ryan_kelly70 14- We manage the dopamine rush and make a safe par on 6. As any true golfer knows, you can’t have back to back good holes. Just had to play it safe. @NFLPA #NFLPAClassic
@JoelBitonio @lucaspatrick62 @NFLPA @ryan_kelly70 15- “Longest Drive” on the par 5 7th. Cenote in the middle of the fairway. I fade one in for a 305yd mark. 265yd left, I crush 4-iron to hole high just off the green. @lucaspatrick62 taps it down with his hybrid and we’re in for birdie, -6. @NFLPA #NFLPAClassic
@JoelBitonio @lucaspatrick62 @NFLPA @ryan_kelly70 16- Last hole of the day. We give ourselves another 15ft birdie look on the par 3 8th. Can’t finish yet again and kept edging the cup. Par to finish -6 and solo 3rd. @NFLPA #NFLPAClassic
@JoelBitonio @lucaspatrick62 @NFLPA @ryan_kelly70 17-We’re in a good spot going into round two. Heard a lot of rumblings at the club house of how we managed to play well. No one gave the big guys a shot. Ended the day getting mental reset by the pool and a beach dinner. Championship on the horizon! @NFLPA #NFLPAClassic