Mark Wilson Wins Humana Challenge Using Mental Golf Strategy
Mark Wilson wins Humana Challenge using mental golf strategy. Which strategy is that? Well, you should know that using external and internal stimuli has always been a part of bringing out the best performance in an athlete. Sports psychologists knows that one of the keys to success lies in tapping into one’s personal arsenal of triggers to bring out their best game. Ever wonder why stadiums blast loud music when the football team storms out onto the field? The music evokes a feeling of power within the players. It gives them confidence. (Just like Tiger’s shirt gives him the confidence he needs to beat his competitors.)
Wilson won with the help of his short sleeve shirt. Yes! You see, despite the chilly weather, he kept it on. Why? “It’s a feel thing. I’ve been playing with short sleeves all day. I didn’t just want to put it on and get a new feeling, because everything was going well.” That short sleeve shirt was his own anchor for playing well. Read more about Wilson’s win right here (from Golf.com):
Although Mark Wilson is off to another fast start to a PGA Tour season, he won the Humana Challenge with a remarkable feat of endurance.
Wilson made a 10-foot birdie putt on the final hole to clinch his fifth career victory Sunday, beating Robert Garrigus, John Mallinger and Johnson Wagner by two strokes in a dramatic dusk finish to the wind-delayed tournament.
Wilson’s day started before sunrise and ended after sunset. In between, he finished his third round, got his kids ready for daycare at his in-laws’ house, and then held off several hard-charging contenders during the final round amid the growing dark and desert chill in the Coachella Valley.
Wilson closed with a 3-under 69 to finish at 24 under, taking the $1,008,000 winner’s share of the $5.6 million purse despite the conditions. While most everybody else pulled on sweaters for the final holes, the Wisconsin native stayed in his polo shirt out of superstition and familiarity.
“It’s a feel thing,” Wilson said. “I’ve been playing with short sleeves all day. I didn’t just want to put it on and get a new feeling, because everything was going well.”
Moments after Garrigus barely missed a 35-foot eagle putt that would have given him the lead, Wilson coolly made his birdie try in the disappearing light before celebrating with his wife, two sons and a surprisingly fragile trophy from the erstwhile Bob Hope Classic. Even on a day chock-full of uncommon obstacles, Wilson handled everything with style.
“Robert and I, going back and forth, we really enjoyed that,” Wilson said. “It just came down to 18, and I didn’t want to give him a chance to make that putt to tie me. … That’s what we play for. You want somebody to win it, not necessarily to lose it.”
Eight players were within two strokes of the lead when the final group neared the turn, but Wilson weathered every challenge with solid shot-making that added to his reputation as a fast starter. Wilson won twice in the first few weeks of last season, and each of his five career victories have come before mid-March. [...]
That’s why I say that Mark Wilson wins Humana Challenge using mental golf strategy. And Wilson isn’t the only one using anchors. You also have many inner tools that you can use to your advantage out on the course. Don’t think so? Let me give you some examples that we use all the time. For many couples, they have a special song that was playing when they met or when they danced on their wedding day. And whenever they hear that song, it reminds them of that special moment. Also, some people’s hearts just melt when one of their children simply smiles. Everyone has something like this that brings out an emotion or a heightened level of performance that they can use to their advantage.
How is it possible that there was that one time where you had a great shot? How was it that you played that great game but every other time you shoot poorly? You were playing with your personal arsenal of inner triggers. What are some mental anchors that you use? Let me hear your thoughts on Wilson’s win below.
