Welcome Play awakeA regular golf.com game-improvement column that will help you become a smartest, best golf player.
Padraig Harrington It is once again a great champion. Based on the success of his PGA Tour career that included three main titles, Irishman won his second major title on the weekend as He won the US Open Elderly in Broadmoor.
“I think this is another great thing for the Champions Tournament,” Harrington said. “This gives us this opportunity to restore our past glories.”
In Colorado, Vintage Paddy was on the full screen. As he withdrew him against the best and largest players in the world, Harrington fired under-70 rounds under-70 rights to reach 11 under and best Stewart Cink with a blow.
Harrington and Cink were neck and neck throughout the last round, and when they reached the 72nd hole, the championship fate was still in balance. This is when Harrington fired a sharp wedge on the flag with perfect execution for everyone, but to grip the title.
“It couldn’t have been close enough,” Harrington said. “I was very happy that I had two (kick) to win from six feet.”
Harrington was clinical in his execution for that final stretch, but in reality things were far from simple. And while he was on the 18th Route, Harrington relied on some sound tips from a great champion to inform his decision-making.
Harrington’s mental trick
When you are under pressure on the course, it can be easy to become passive and try to protect a result. This may mean making probative oscillations or getting safe lines.
But if you really want to close strong – as the big ones do – you have to stay in the attack mode. This does not mean playing recklessly, but rather not turn away from the moment.
“Resting 18 years old, I said Caddy Ronan (flood), I said,” Look, if I do this hole, I win. It takes all the permutations from it, “Harrington said.” Ronan told me something, reminded me of something Hale Irwin told me over the years. He said: ‘Always hit the goal you would hit if you are a blow after.’ And that kind gave good clarity to what I would do.
With a lead with a standing hit in the middle of the 18th Street, it would be easy for Harrington to play it safe and hit away from the pin. Instead, he chose to use the mental deception that Irwin taught.
“It’s a simple thing and it’s always the perfect goal,” Harrington said. “A shot after; what stroke would you hit if you are a shot after? For each case it works perfectly.”
