What Dustin Johnson had to Overcome to Win the U.S. Open
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It was quite a day for Dustin Johnson. “Johnson won his first major championship with a steady final-round 1-under-par 69 Sunday to finish at 4 under 276 in the 116th edition of the U.S. Open. Starting the final 18 holes four shots back, he made a birdie from 5 feet at the finishing hole to cap his round” – Source
Wow! Great job! Right? Well not quite and here’s why I am writing this: the final seven holes he had to play knowing that he might get assessed a penalty. 7 holes! Is he thinking, will I or won’t I?
“Johnson was eventually assessed a one-stroke penalty when the USGA determined he caused his ball to move when he was standing over a 6-foot putt for par on the fifth hole. The ball moved ever so slightly as he got ready to hit the putt, but Johnson insisted he didn’t cause the movement and a USGA official at the time said there was no penalty.” – Source
Why didn’t the USGA make the call right away? From what I know of golf, they usually do. If you are a golfer reading this, can you imagine going 7 holes not knowing? What did that mean about Dustin’s standings or the standings of the playing nipping at his heals?
In the USA Today article, here’s where I get intrigued and excited. Dustin said, “I knew I was swinging well, and I just kept thinking, it’s just me and the course. I’m playing against the course. I can’t control what anyone else does.” That is exactly where he needed to be. He knew he didn’t have control of what the officials were doing. He was able to assess his situation and reframe what was going on with confidence that he was swinging well. He let go of what was happening that he couldn’t control, took control and focused on his performance (me and the course).
These are things I work with all of my golfers on: control-ables, confidence, reframing and letting go. Why? This is exactly the mental space all golfers need to learn to be in, to play well, continue to love the game and win. Fortunately for Dustin Johnson he had them all wrapped up together on Sunday and it served him well. He won.
Are you looking to up your game? Contact me for a free 30 minute phone strategy session – I can help you develop your own mental game plan that will help you go from scared, timid and anxious to confident and in control.
