Dunhill Links: Don Felder’s blog, day 2

MY second round of this year’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship was played at Carnoustie today where I had a lot of fun. Three of our fourball were Americans and there was lots of great banter as well as some very good golf.

Don Felder with his caddy. Picture: Getty

The greens on this course are in immaculate condition and compared with the undulating ones on the Old Course the one at Carnoustie are much more like American greens, which I am more accustomed to.

I always think this course, which many like to call ‘Car-nasty,’ can produce some great rounds as long as the weather conditions are right - today they were superb and the course was in great condition. Finishing my round I noticed the Scottish flag above the Carnoustie clubhouse was completely at rest which, I know from the many times I’ve played here in this event, is real rarity on this course. I played well and felt I was able to read the greens a little better than yesterday. I was certainly delighted to have made a couple of long putts, including a 20 footer on the par three 8th hole where I carded a birdie.

Over the last two days I have picked up a lot of useful insights from Mike Miller, my professional partner. The main thing I learned is that I need to start playing this game when I’m four! Seriously though, it’s a real joy to watch how these pros compete. Mike is a young guy, full of brute strength and he hits the ball a mile yet he plays with a great deal of finesse, maintaining control of the ball pretty much non-stop throughout the round.

So it has been another thoroughly enjoyable day playing in the Dunhill. I have never had a bad round of golf in Scotland, regardless of my score, and that certainly remains the case after today. After two rounds we have a team score of - 4 which I hope we can improve on tomorrow at Kingsbarns.

• Don’s day one blog

Don Felder biography

Member of American rock band The Eagles from 1974 to 2001. Felder wrote the music for Hotel California, now a classic. He began playing golf when he was on the road in 1978 and now plays at Malibu golf club in Los Angeles. This is his seventh appearance in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Says his greatest moment in golf was playing in the fourball in 2003 when Lee Westwood made his memorable albatross two at the par five 9th hole at Kingsbarns and went on to win the Championship. Other interests include skiing and big game fishing.