What makes a great golf champion? Attributes like passion, power, skill and control all spring to mind. But what separates players like Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter from multiple major champions like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods?
Without question they all possess the credentials to win major championships and can play every shot imaginable. Yet Nicklaus and Woods have amassed a staggering 32 majors between them to Garcia and Poulter’s none.
Clearly there is a difference between the two sets of players.
Garcia and Poulter thrive on emotion. They use it to fuel their performances, and riding this wave can produce exceptional results. However, the negative repercussions of such intense emotion can be catastrophic.
It was 2007. Sunday of The Open Championship at Carnoustie. The mercurial Spaniard held a three shot lead over the field and looked in control of what many assume to be his destiny; major championship glory. Bogeys at the 5th, 7th and 8th weakened Garcia’s grip on the championship and opened the door for the chasing pack. He held on and managed to reach the last tee with a one shot lead. At this point his heart must have been pounding and, with the fear that he may blow his chance ominously looming overhead, Garcia hit his tee shot down the fairway.
“Come on” He murmurs under his breath with a little fist pump to match. Still attempting to ride his emotions to victory.
Garcia then proceeded to pull his iron shot into the awaiting green side bunker and splash out to be faced with an eight-foot putt to win. His emotions had subdued. With an almost solemn look upon his face he stepped over the putt–a complete contrast to the man elated and brimming with confidence after the tee shot. It lipped out and he would go on to lose the play-off.
I firmly believe that the initial surge of emotion after the tee shot was the catalyst that led to his pulled iron shot. He was one step closer to his dream thinking…
“One more shot and it’s mine. Why does my grip feel slippery? Never mind. Let’s hit it, I’m going to win if I get this is on the green.”
All these thoughts can happen in a millisecond. Something might be slightly off but you choose to ignore it, because emotion has knocked you out of your routine and you make rash decisions. The great Jack Nicklaus once said:
“I learned early in my career, where you get so wrapped up and so excited, that all of a sudden you don’t think. So I worked very hard to keep myself suppressed.”
This is what histories great champions seem to be able to do better than everyone else. They control their emotions and are able to separate them from their performance. Nicklaus and Woods particularly are renowned for their ability to shut the world out when the moment requires it. The iceman exterior where they seem to freeze in time and the centre of their whole existence focuses completely on the next shot is necessary in order for them to win.
So although we golf fans love to watch the Garcia’s and Poulter’s of this world whip the crowd into a frenzy, this style of play never truly thrives when it comes to being successful in major championship golf.
Who knows if Garcia and the likes of Poulter will ever become major champions, but what I do know is this: the next breed of major winners will come in all shapes and sizes but the greats will always possess the skills to suppress their emotions and separate them from the task at hand.
Keep an eye out for next week’s post where I will share with you how you can improve your practice to help you deal with pressure like the greats.
Until next time, good golfing.
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