I’m a sucker to golf drama. I like watching them. Why? Two words: Tiger Woods. This guy really knows how to make golf, an otherwise boring sport, into something of a phenomenon. He tackled the US Open 2008 with a bummed ankle, for goodness sake! His driving was poor all week and he hit less fairways. What saved him was his putting. That was the drama maker. Who else can consistently putt from 30 feet and get an eagle to be in the lead on the third round? Who else can putt from 10 feet and get a birdie to force a playoff with Rocco Mediate? Tiger has short game skills we all envy.
It also helps Tiger has a mind of steel that kept him together through the weekend, plus Monday playoff. First he has the pain to deal with from his knee surgery. Then he has the pressure to beat Rocco, and the rest of the field. However, Tiger was steady as a rock. He calmly 2-putt his way to another historic major championship win.
Honestly though, I was rooting for Rocco. He was the underdog. He never won a major, and he was up against the best player in the sport (with 14 majors). I wanted him to win and create a glorious upset in the world. It won’t be as much fun to see the top players win day in and day out. There has to be a “Cinderella Story” to keep the game more interesting. I watched the game on television and online, and from what I observed, Rocco definitely fit the description: an underrated nice guy, in position to win his first major. The agony of defeat could’ve been shortened with just a sudden death game on the 18th hole. I believe it was anti-climatic to have all of that excitement and adrenalin on the 4th round delayed for another day. I was even sure the playoff game was over by the 7th hole when Rocco was down 3 points. However, to Rocco’s credit, he gnawed his way out to transform the playoff to a more interesting sudden death game. It’s just too bad he didn’t have Tiger’s steady nerves. It looked like Rocco sloppily drove, chipped, and putted his way out of the championship.
Rocco deserved the 2nd place finish. Benefits include moving up from 127th to 48th in the Fedex-Cup ranking. I’m betting Paul Azinger will pick him for Ryder Cup Team USA, because the Americans need more heart and eagerness to win, as well as the need to lighten up and foster team camaraderie. Who knows, maybe he (and Woody Austin) will be the key to Ryder Cup victory this year.
Photo Credit: Golf.com
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I didn’t watch much of the actual golf, but I was following the Open. I was cheering for Rocco also. I think it was because he comes off as such a nice guy with so much enthusiasm. He was so happy to be at the top with Tiger. Of course, I was cheering for Tiger also. It’s hard not to cheer for Tiger, especially when he’s playing such a mentally tough game.
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Hi Haley,
I admit it’s a lot more fun to watch Tiger struggle. When he’s at his top form, it would be a Tiger vs The World – not much excitement there. Well, except maybe when he tries to pull those dazzling shots around the greens.
Just more proof that anyone can get hurt and should work on their knee exercises to prevent this kind of injury. Just a few simple exercises a few times a day increase flexibility and strength in your knee and awareness of yourself and how you move can prevent ACL injuries.
Hi Grace,
Thanks for the link. I will try those knee exercises because I’m also feeling a little pinch in my left knee after spending a lot of time on the golf driving range and courses. I hope I don’t end up with ACL.
It’s all in the mind, as “they” say! In my opinion, rather than indirectly instilling confidence in school, they should directly teach kids the facts about confidence… Maybe just giving it to them suggestively is the right thing to do… I for one, disagree and believe that confidence is much more powerful if understood and controllable… “Hey, I’m just having a good time with friends, no need to wear confidence and take away much of the randomness of the game…” Confidence with discretion… You ever play a game that no one will play with you because you win all the time? I find trying things you’re not confident doing (like new things to add to your overall skill int he subject area) can give you a chance to improve while giving them a chance to win, keeping it fun for everyone… Sometimes though, confidence in even an unfamiliar skill can be too much though… Sorry if this seems unrelated, your talks of a “mind of steel” and “steady nerves” got my blood ‘boilin!
Hey David.
The “steady nerves” and “mind of steel” were the result of years of training. Tiger Wood’s father spent a lot of time on the golf course distracting him by jiggling coins, coughing, etc. during his swing. Tiger was expected not to lose focus. The training paid off.
That’s something we all can learn in any sport. Learn to focus and train to be strong mentally. Having a strong mind will result in confidence.
It’s too bad that in video games (since it hasn’t been recognized by the majority of the public as a true sport in the US?) is considered rude NOT to let someone “distract” you.
For instance if someone calls and you tell them later you didn’t answer because you were playing a game, they might get upset… But if you told them you were playing baseball out on the field, up to bat, they would find it weird that you did answer or turned your head when they were talking to you. I think that’s just a cultural expectancy for the US though, but in South Korea… The gaming scene is much more recognized professionally at least everyone used to play “Starcraft.” The world just might shake when “Starcraft 2” is released.
Oh don’t get me started on Starcraft 2… that’s a whole new blog post! 😉