Each April, the PGA's best congregates upon Augusta, GA's fabled greens for a shot at the Green Jacket and one of professional golf's most prestigious titles. This year's event promised more drama than a Shakespearean epic on Broadway, with Tiger Woods coming off his first win in several years and of course Phil Mickelson's relatively consistent play over the past few seasons. The interesting thing about golf is, however, is how anything can seemingly happen on any given day. Everyone at the tourney has the talent to be on that stage but it is up to the strongest mentally to close the deal.
This year's tournament brought the "feel good story" of Bubba Watson. Watson- a relative unknown among the ranks of Woods, Mickelson, Scott, and McIlroy-won using his own unique style. A self-professed Christian, father, and owner of the General Lee (his claim to fame perhaps moreso than as a golfer) used the lack of expectation to his advantage. Watson in fact seemingly exceeded his own expectations. Perhaps there is a lesson any athlete can learn from Bubba Watson: whether you have won one or one-hundred tournaments, play for enjoyment, play like nobody is watching you, and play your own game. Every athlete I work with I emphasize enjoyment of their sport first and foremost, but more importantly-being themselves whatever their discipline.
Next time you compete, remember who you are and where you are coming from. Your consistenttraining will take care of the rest.
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