The Ryder Cup is a pressure cooker. Team Europe vs Team USA. 12 of the best golfers Europe has to offer against our top 12. It is an epic display of performing under pressure. Last week with Team Europe reeling on Sunday as Team USA made a once in a lifetime comeback, Shane Lowry was 1 down with one hole to play. He could not win but he could secure a 1/2 point if he won the final hole. A tie and Europe retains the Cup. Long story short. After hitting his approach shot to about ten feet, he had a chance. Here’s a quick look into his thoughts as he walked toward his pressure putt. Check this out…
“I said to Darren (Caddy) walking down 18 that I have a chance to do the coolest thing of my life here.”
This is epic, friend.
You see, Shane believes pressure is a privilege. No bullshit. Full belief. Big diff. He wasn’t feeling the weight of a continent or even the weight of his eleven teammates. He was feeling gratitude. He gets to do this. He was stoked at the possibility of the moment, not afraid of what might happen if he missed. So, as he watched his opponent miss from a few feet further away, he knew the moment was upon him.
Make it. The Cup is secure. So he slowed everything down. You could see him using his breath to control his nerves. Stuck to his process. Made a competent stroke.
Read it. Roll it. Hole it. Thanks, Eddie Lowery (Think Francis Quimet caddy).
What, friend, do you believe about your performance pressure? Does it bring out your best? Do you look forward to it? Pressure reveals. A champions mindset extrudes champions no different than a chumps mindset reveals chumps. Fact.
Leaders know this. Leaders put their players under pressure in practice so the cup runneth over with competence earned through deliberate, difficult practice. Changing your teams relationship with pressure is your job leader. Preparing them for the road is your job. Teaching them to embrace fail, learn, levelthehellup – this too is your job.
You doing your job?
Live hard. Love harder…
BUILT TO LEAD 