« AHPGA Student Selected in Queensland Golf Squad | Main | Advanced Golf Training at AHPGA- Philip`s first day! »
The Persistence, Self-Belief and Patience of Champion Golfers
By Tony | April 13, 2008
I was sitting down watching the television coverage of the third round of the US Masters Golf Tournament at Augusta National this morning and as usual I was marvelling at the precision ball striking, short game skills and strategy of today`s champions. But something that was extra special and really impressed me was the determination, persitence, self-belief and patience of Brandt Snedeker.
27 year old Snedeker from Tennessee (last years PGA Tour Rookie of the Year) may not have the experience, but he certainly showed his determination in today`s third round. After a near faultless front nine of 2 under 34, Snedeker found himself heading into the back nine with a one stroke lead over South African young gun Trevor Immelman. After a solid par on the tenth hole Snedeker proceded to bogie three in a row from the 11th hole (he bogeyed the entire Amen Corner). Now just 3 holes later he was back at 6 under par and trailing the leader Trevor Immelman by 3 strokes. He was in danger of slipping right out of contention.
But Snedeker was not about to give up and quickly answered that setback by rolling in 8 footers for birdie on holes 14 and 15, then played his way back into the final group on Sunday with one from 6 feet at the 18th after a wonderful approach shot.
Snedeker had this to say after his third round;
“Any time you’ve got a six footer around here, I don’t care what day it is or what’s going on, if you’re trying to win a golf tournament, you need to make them,” Snedeker said. “You don’t want to leave Trevor too much in the lead because he’s playing fantastic golf. Tee to green, that’s as good as I’ve ever seen anybody hit a golf ball.”
Snedeker is now just 2 strokes back of Trevor Immelman heading into tomorrows final round.
Immelman, at 11 under, leads by two shots after carding a 69 on Saturday. The 28 year old South African is just the 10th player to shoot three rounds in the 60s, the last being his countryman Retief Goosen in 2002. No one has ever had four.
You just never know, Brandt Snedeker just might be slipping into that coveted green jacket tomorrow afternoon…..his persistence, self-belief and patience have given him every chance!
So remember, when you are working on your own golf games make sure you devote some quality time to developing your mental strength just like these great champions during your practice and on course training. To play golf at the highest level you MUST be mentally strong.
Topics: General |