Golf is a sport that requires immense mental fortitude and focus. A player may have a lead for most of the tournament, but one bad shot or one missed putt can change everything. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the biggest collapses during golf tournaments when someone looked like a sure winner.
Greg Norman was leading the Masters by six strokes going into the final round. However, he had a disastrous final round, shooting a 78 and losing to Nick Faldo by five strokes. Norman's collapse is often cited as one of the biggest in golf history.
2. Jean Van de Velde, 1999 Open Championship:
Jean Van de Velde was leading the Open Championship by three strokes going into the final hole. However, he made a series of bad decisions and shots, ultimately ending up in the Barry Burn. He took a triple-bogey and went into a playoff, which he lost to Paul Lawrie.
3. Arnold Palmer, 1966 U.S. Open:
Arnold Palmer was leading the U.S. Open by seven strokes going into the final round. However, he had a terrible final round, shooting a 79 and losing to Billy Casper in a playoff.
4. Rory McIlroy, 2011 Masters:
Rory McIlroy was leading the Masters by four strokes going into the final round. However, he had a nightmare final round, shooting an 80 and finishing in 15th place.
5. Dustin Johnson, 2010 U.S. Open:
Dustin Johnson was leading the U.S. Open by three strokes going into the final round. However, he had a terrible final round, shooting an 82 and finishing in eighth place.
These collapses are just a few examples of how quickly things can change in golf. One bad shot, one missed putt, or one bad decision can completely alter the outcome of a tournament. It's a testament to the mental fortitude required to be a successful golfer. The ability to bounce back from a bad shot or a bad hole is crucial in this sport.
In conclusion
Collapses in golf tournaments are not uncommon, and they can happen to anyone, no matter how skilled they are. Golf requires both physical and mental strength, and the ability to handle pressure is paramount. These collapses remind us of the unpredictable nature of golf and the importance of mental toughness.