The Bhullar Diary: ‘I made it to LIV Sunday – now the real work starts.’

Well, I achieved my priority target of making it to Sunday at the LIV Golf Promotions at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, UAE, with no stress or scar tissue.

I shot a four under par 68, with a score of 69 making the cut mark with five players for four spots in a play-off. New Zealand’s Ben Campbell unfortunately missed out.

I was very comfortable on the golf course today and I felt I was never under pressure or pushing for anything.

I bogeyed hole six where I hit my tee shot into the penalty area and took a drop. Perhaps it should have been a three-wood off the tee, not a driver, but we can never play the perfect shot every time.

I recovered to make good pars on holes 11 and 13, which kept my momentum going.

I stood of the 17th tee at three-under knowing I was probably on the cut mark. I hit my tee shot well. I just did not think I could reach the bunker – but I did.

A strong six iron to the middle of the green and two putts later I was on tee 18.

I hit an excellent smooth three-wood straight down the middle that left me 252 yards to the pin and I hit a crisp two iron to the heart of the green on the par five 567-yard hole. I could then walk up the 18th fairway with my caddie by my side confidently knowing I was in the draw for the last day, and then have a nice and relaxed late lunch.

The stress was with those on three under, one shot behind me.

So, looking forward, my lottery ticket already has the first two correct numbers – let’s hope the last two can come in after Sunday’s re-set of scores and the 7.15 am shotgun start and then the final round two-tee start in the afternoon.

Just nineteen players are in my way and I am also in the way of the other 19 players.

I have not played 36 holes in a day for a while, except for a couple of Major qualifiers a few years ago. But I feel fresh and energised, I have played so far 18 holes less than most of the field.

Indian golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar is a Dubai Golden VISA Awardee and has won 23 professional golf tournaments around the world.