It's not often that most players will have to deal with this type of scenario, but it's inevitable that at some point in their career, they will. How do they respond?
Most times, it has to do with the individual player and their point of reference to that point. Some players are unique in that every challenge that's presented they can overcome with relative success. For the rest, challenges are the stumbling block to success. There have been countless examples of this already in 2012 on the major U.S. tours. Kyle Stanley found himself in uncharted territory at the Farmer's Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Stanley went into the final round having slept on a five shot lead over John Rollins and John Huh. Stanley held on to most of that lead and found himself three shots clear of the field as he stood over his approach to the par-5 18th hole.
Not paying much attention to leaderboards, Stanley was workmanlike in his play, making the turn in 3-under par 33. After adding birdies at 11, 13 & 14, Stanley held off a charging Ben Crane with 4 straight pars to capture his first PGA Tour Victory in just his 3rd year on tour.
How'd he turn defeat one week into victory the next? Experience.
It's been said on numerous occasions that experience is the best teacher. It is and can be, but you must be an astute student. Let's look at three things that helped Kyle adopt the mindset of a champion that can also help you regardless of your talent level.
First, Kyle realized that he's human. He accepted the fact that his mind wanders during the round. He's, like the rest of the players on tour, is just like the rest of us. We all have lives away from the game and like it or not, they influence our ability to focus during a round. That's not to say that we can't block out the external distractions during a round. It's simply a reminder that we have to make a concerted effort to remained focused on the task at hand. If you are overwhelmed with the circumstances of life (marriage, kids, finances, career, etc.) is wise when you play to offer yourself a little "grace for the moment". It's doubtful that you'll play to your maximum potential under these circumstances, so don't set your expectations at their pinnacle. What you can do however, is to use the game to relieve some of the pressure you're feeling.
Second, Kyle did not allow the past to define his future. Every player from Bobby Jones to Tiger Woods has, at some point in their career, experienced doubt. This doubt stems from the collision of man's desire to be seen as the best with the fear of being seen at all. The latter is the more dominant in the confrontation. From the beginning, man was created to be the superior being We like being on top. We want to be the Gladiator. We think we want the challenge to overcome. Then comes the moment of truth. The first moment of truth ever recorded was found in the Garden of Eden. Man failed miserably. What did Adam and Eve do after they failed...they hid. Why? Because they were ashamed that they had faced the challenge and failed to live up to expectations. The aggressor for us in golf is always expectations. The problem with this is, the expectations are two fold. It would be one thing if we only failed to meet our own expectations.
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