It’s day two of the Open Championship, and one of the pre-tournament favourites, Graham McDowell has missed the cut. ‘I was a bit of a mental case out there’, was the Irishman’s description of his 36 hole performance. He also went on the say that ‘I need to care a bit less about the game right now’. Fascinating comments from such a keen and dedicated mental student of the game. But what does Graham mean exactly, by caring less about the game. It suggests that he has lost both his feel and perhaps his love of golf. It’s just no […]

It’s the day before the Open Championship. And, in the absence of Tiger Woods, all the expectations are on the US Open Champion, Rory McIlroy. For many players, this level of expectation would almost certainly result in under-performance. But not McIlroy. This is a player who exudes self-belief. A player who, whilst leading the US Open, wasn’t just content with winning. But wanted to smash Tigers winning-margin record. Expectations are such, that many will be looking to Rory to repeat his briliance at Congressional. A top player thrives on these kind of expectations. Loves the fact that the eyes of […]

He is known as the best golfer never to win a Major. Triumphant on the European Tour, season after season. Unbeatable in the Ryder Cup. And yet, not a single Major title to his name. In a recent interview with the Sunday Times, Montgomerie, explains that the reason he was not successful in golf’s ultimate tests, was that he approached them in a perfectionist frame of mind. That he needed to play perfect golf. As the Majors were the true measure of a player, Montgomerie presumed that he would need to be playing at his highest level, to match the […]

When Nick Faldo chose Ian Poulter, as one of his two wild cards, the media, and the games opinion-formers, were scathing in their criticism of him. Poulter was said to be lucky to be selected, over the in-form Darren Clarke. It was also suggested, that he must of known, in advance of his selection, as he chose not to play in Scotland, to secure vital points, ahead of the event. All of which, proved perfect motivation for Poulter. With his natural self-confidence, he wasn’t likely to be phased, by the event, that is the Ryder Cup. But with some many […]

It’s three days before the beginning of the Ryder Cup, and Nick Faldo is busy preparing his troops. He is talking about his use of visualisation, and how to use visualisation, to prepare for that nerve jangling moment, on the first tee. Golfers rarely talk about their visualisation routines, but being mentally prepared for the first tee at the Ryder Cup, is critical. Visualisation works, because it creates the mental imagery, of the outcomes that you want. In other words, it attracts the future into the present. The clearer the picture, the more certainty that you create. So that when […]

So, Greg Norman leads the field, as the final day of the The Open approaches. For three days, he has played like a man, without the burden of expectancy on his shoulders. No pressure. No demand. Only, a former champion, enjoying himself in testing, championship conditions. If he were to play with similar freedom on day four, then the Australian could well become Open Champion, at the age of fifty-three. The question is, as he gets closer to the finish line, will he continue to play without expectation? Will the irresistible thought of lifting the Claret Jug, start to play […]

With his troublesome wrist injury, causing serious doubts, as to whether he would be able to defend his title, few pundits backed Padraig Harrington, to win the 2008 Open. But after two battling rounds, the Irishman, is only three shots off the lead. What has been so impressive about Harrington, is not so much his shot-making. But more his attitude. He has defended his Open crown, with an obvious sense of pride. As if he recognises his place in history. Has total respect for the greats who have gone before him. Wants to represent, the best of what they stand […]

So The Open Championship commences, with 20 mph winds and heavy rain, coming in off the Irish Sea. It would be easy, for a player, to be negatively affected by these conditions. Open the bedroom curtains first thing, and groan. Drop a shot at the first, and inwardly think that things are unfair. But, the conditions, are part of the test. It means having the mental strength and attitude, that accepts the conditions, for what they are. No complaints. No wingeing. But an attitude, that says, ‘I like this weather’. The way you think to yourself, in this weather, will […]

You might have expected Graham McDowell, to have finished some way down the field, on day one of The Open. After all, it was only last Sunday, that he picked up a healthy winners cheque, for his Scottish Open victory at Loch Lomond. And there is the mental and emotional demand, it takes to win a big European Tour event. So to be joint-leader, after the wind-swept Birkdale first round, is a supreme effort. It shows that he has the mental strength, to not be satisfied with one victory. But to use success as a springboard to further success. To […]