The Sports Psychology Blog
This Sports Psychology blog, comes as Ireland's Padraig Harrington, wins his first USPGA title.
Golf: Padraig Harrington - The Knowledge!
Even though he wasn't playing at his very best, Padraig Harrington, was still good enough, and mentally strong enough, to secure back-to back Majors. In the absence of Tiger Woods, he has quickly established himself, as the man to beat.
Sergio Garcia, as at Carnoustie 2007, had the chances to beat Harrington, at Oakland Hills. But what he didn't have, was the critical know-how to win a Major. Know-how, is the ability to find a way to win, even if you are not playing your A game. It means, instinctively understanding, how to handle the unique pressures of the back-nine of a Major. It means being able to think clearly under pressure. It means making the right decisions. And not panicking, when you don't.
It means that you know what to expect; the leaderboard; the crowds; the pressure putts. It means that you can find within yourself, the powerful memory, that you have done this successfully before. And can do it again. All of which breeds a quiet inner confidence. And sense of certainty.
Garcia, on the other hand, doesn't have such insight to draw on. He has to battle the uncertainty of not-knowing, whether he can win a Major. Clearly he has the talent. But has he the mentality?
Against most other players, Garcia may well have broken his majors duck. But Harrington is no longer, just another tour player. He has stepped into the void left by Tiger's absence. And demonstrated Wood's supreme mentality. When a player knows how to win a major. And is still hungry to win, they take on an aura of unbeatability. That is how Padraig Harrington looks right now.
