Hi everyone, So, Justin Thomas wins again and Sergio does it in his own country and with a mountain of pressure on him. Thomas really has catapulted himself into that small group of ‘special’ players in the last year, almost certainly going past his close friend Jordan Spieth, despite the latter winning the Open in July. It is interesting to compare the two winners from this weekend. Granted, Sergio did not go on anything like the winning streak that Thomas has in the last twelve months, but all of us who remember him running up that fairway having hit an unreal shot from behind a tree, when hunting down Tiger Woods in 1999 (yes it really was that long ago), will know that it is not always so easy to fulfil early potential. The pressure of expectancy can weigh terribly on someone and I firmly believe that age, combined with finding the love of his life, has helped Sergio to free himself of that burden. On Sunday he looked relaxed even when coming down the stretch. Yes, the golfing gods did shine on him on the last hole when his drive somehow found its way through a tree and onto the fairway but isn’t that just typical? Thomas has very quickly got over almost every hurdle, especially winning the USPGA this year, and it’s hard to see how he won’t keep going now. However, throughout the history of golf there have been winners of majors that have disappeared not long after, weighed down by the spotlight instead of expectation. In 2003 we all remember Ben Curtis winning down the road at St George’s. He never found those heights again, but do you also remember in the same year Sean Micheel winning the USPGA? He literally never recovered and has gone on record saying so. Now we have Danny Willett who two years ago was flying up the world rankings and winning consistently. He then won the Masters in 2016 and we have all watched him struggle ever since. Is it just personality that either gets you through it or makes you fold? Good question, but I have the most respect for those that muscle through it, even when things are going wrong and come back stronger. Please stand up Justin Rose who has to be the greatest example of someone who has triumphed in the game despite experiencing the worst run anyone can imagine once he turned professional. There can be little doubt that the superb American college golf system has something to do with it. They churn them out, year after year, battle ready and not scared to win one little bit. Thomas will go on as will Koepka and Spieth, and who would bet against Ricky Fowler winning his first soon? Let’s hope Danny Willett and co can recover before next year’s Ryder Cup!
|