I have a one shot lead on 18, I've got 188 to the pin, and in my direct path, 8 feet

in front of my ball, is a tree.

I'm not sure what kind of tree it is, but it's clearly been here a while.

I didn't count the rings or anything, but the trunk is thick.

I'm actually fortunate to be in play.

My T-shot might have been the leg to the right of me, had it not been for this one single

tree, but stopped it.

The lie is decent, although it's on mulch.

Eli, one stroke down, is in the middle of the fairway and has just a wedge in.

The green is fully protected on the left side by a lake.

In fact, the lake runs pretty much the whole left side of the fairway.

As I look at the shot, I recall our practicality conversation with John Sherman.

We just had a few days before we took this trip.

And I hear him telling me to be smart.

And the smart play is right in front of me.

It's a low five iron punch to the right of this tree, down the wide open right side

of the fairway, leaving me 40 yards in the chance for par.

It's a shot I know I can play.

The worst I make is Bogey, and even if Eli hits the green, with the way he's putting,

Bogey's probably all I need.

So I make the decision to play that shot.

And then I get over the ball.

...